Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin (L) welcomes Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in Helsinki on September 10.

Vietnamese Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue has paid an official visit to Finland from September 10-11 at the invitation of Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Anu Vehvilainen, Vietnam Plus reports.

Vietnam and Finland established diplomatic ties in 1973 and during the visit Mr. Vuong Dinh Hue will pay a courtesy call on Finnish President Sauli Niinistö, meet with Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin and hold talks with Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Anu Vehvilainen.

The visit is expected to boost the already thriving bilateral ties between the two nations and to promote the Vietnam-Finland traditional friendship and extensive partnership in several areas, reported the scandasia.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Anu Vehvilainen on September 10 morning right after a welcome ceremony in Helsinki.

Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Anu Vehvilainen (Photo: VNA)

He suggested both sides resume the exchange of delegations soon and expressed his wish to boost ties with the Finnish Parliament. Apart from parliamentary cooperation, he said both sides could cooperate in other fields.

He also proposed Finland soon ratify the European Union – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and accelerate the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also wished that Finland would assist Vietnam in accessing vaccine supplies, according to the VOV.

Vehvilainen, for her part, affirmed that Finland could share its experience in its fields of strength. She proposed jointly working in climate change response and mitigating its negative impact.

In order to reinforce parliamentary coordination, both sides shared the view that the two parliaments need to make important contributions to ties between the EU and ASEAN, as well as at mechanisms to which the two nations are members, and issues of shared concern.

Also, in the visiting of the National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Finnish Prime Minister Sanna Marin in Helsinki on September 10, Hue also said Vietnam wants to expand cooperation with Finland in the fields of high technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, wastewater treatment, and transportation.

“The signing of a new contract today between the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Nokia Corporation of Finland is clear demonstration of cooperation opportunities between the two countries,” he said.

However, Hue noted that Finland’s investment in Vietnam remains modest as its valid FDI capital is just US$23.6 million which is not commensurate with the potential and strengths of both countries.

He suggested that PM Sanna Marin and the Finnish Government support the strengthening of cooperation between the two countries’ business communities to take advantage of the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) which came into effect last year.

He also suggested that the Finnish Government encourage its businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, and lobby the Finnish Parliament to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

On this occasion, Hue expected that Finland will assist Vietnam in accessing vaccine supplies, ceding unused vaccines, providing medical supplies and helping Vietnam cope with the current pandemic.

He also suggested that the Finnish Government continue to support the training of high-quality human resources for Vietnam, increase the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, and support the community of approximately 2,500 Vietnamese students currently training in Finland.

Both sides discuss numerous measures to promote cooperation betwen Vietnam and Finland.

For her part, Sarin agreed with Hue’s proposals and emphasized that good education is one of Finland’s important pillars and the key to success in socio-economic development and adaptation to emerging challenges. She affirmed that Finland is willing to cooperate in implementing vocational education and teacher training programmes between the two countries.

In addition, she revealed Finland is now facing challenges of aging population and labour shortages, especially in the agricultural sector, therefore it is encouraging foreign workers, including those from Vietnam, to work in Finland.

NA Chairman Hue welcomed Finland’s idea and affirmed that Vietnam has a young, dynamic labour force that can meet Finland’s requirements.

Exchanging views on issues of mutual concern, they agreed that both Vietnam and Finland should play an active role in connecting and strengthening the newly established ASEAN - EU strategic partnership.

The two sides reaffirmed the principle of rule of law should be fully observed in seas and oceans in order to maintain peace, stability, freedom, safety and security of navigation and aviation, and settle disputes by peaceful means, in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

NA Leader's Finland Visit To Boost Bilateral Ties An official visit to Finland from September 10-11 of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to boost bilateral ties.

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