People-to-people Ties Have Great Contribution to Austria - Vietnam Relations

During the official visit to Austria, State President Vo Van Thuong met with Prof. Dr Alfred Gerstl, the President of Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association, discussing that the good relationship and friendship between the two countries can foster many opportunities for cooperation in the future.

Zoey Nguyễn

July 26, 2023 | 13:10

At the meeting on July 23, President Thuong rejoiced in the celebration of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam - Austria diplomatic relations in 2022. Two countries have enjoyed a long-standing traditional relationship and have regularly launched high-level contact activities aimed at augmenting bilateral cooperation, said Thuong.

During the official visit to Austria, State President Vo Van Thuong (right) met with Prof. Dr Alfred Gerstl, the President of Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association (Photo: VOV).

Vietnam - Austria diplomatic relation (1972 - 2022)

Two countries celebrated their 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2022 with many positive cooperation results through building economic, trade, and investment links, reported VOV.

Austria represents currently one of the 10 largest Vietnamese partners in Europe, with bilateral trade reaching more than US $2.7 billion last year.

Thanks to many achievements in bilateral ties over the years, there is a positive signal that more Austrian investors and businesses are more interested in becoming partners with Vietnam in the coming time. One of the most recent good news is that a significant factor is the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) coming into effect, leading to bilateral trade turnover increasing substantially.

Also, the Vietnamese State leader emphasized the important role of the Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association in boosting the relationship between the people of the two countries.

State President Vo Van Thuong and the representatives of the Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association at the meeting (Photo: VOV).

The Austria-Vietnam Friendship Association was originally set up in 1973, which was shortly after the two countries established official bilateral ties. President Thuong said appreciated Peter Jankovich, the former chairman, and his contributions to Vietnam over half a century. He believed that Dr. Gerstl, in his new position as the Association's Chairman, will coordinate to organize many friendship exchanges as a means of helping to strengthen mutual understanding and support between the two peoples.

In response, Dr. Gerstl reaffirmed that Vietnam plays an important role in Austria’s foreign policy, especially in terms of trade and investment. Vietnamese has gained global recognition for its achievements in economic development and also spoke glowingly of bilateral coordination and exchanges in culture and arts, said the host.

Both the host and the guest agreed that over the next 50 years, the Austria - Vietnam and Vietnam - Austria friendship associations will continue to foster a good relationship between the two peoples.

The same day, President Thuong had a meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Austria and the Union of Vietnamese People Associations in Europe and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in the European nation.

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