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Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hold phone talks with Irish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Simon Coveney on Friday evening. (Photo: Tuan Anh)

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on May 22 held phone talks with his Irish counterpart Simon Coveney to discuss measures to enhance bilateral cooperation as well as coordination between the two nations at multilateral forums.

Minh shared Vietnam’s measures to curb COVID-19 and develop the economy in the post-pandemic period and briefed about recent measures taken by Vietnam to contain the pandemic and restart the economy, affirming the Southeast Asian country stands ready to share experience and coordinate with Ireland in enhancing healthcare capacity to deal with the pandemic and support each other in citizen protection work.

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (Photo: VNA)

He also affirmed Vietnam, as a responsible partner of the international community, has always closely worked with partners, including Ireland at multilateral forums to contribute effectively to maintaining peace, stability, respect for international law as well as responding to global issues. Besides, Vietnam is willing to share experience and coordinate with Ireland to enhance medical capacity in response to the pandemic and support each other in citizen protection.

Coveney highly appreciated Vietnam’s strong measures and active roles as ASEAN Chair 2020 and non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for 2020-2021 in promoting regional and global cooperation to push back the disease.

He suggested the two countries further step up partnership in the cooperation frameworks between the European Union (EU) and Vietnam, and between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU, as well as at international forums, especially the United Nations, regarding issues of mutual concern.

The bilateral relationship between Ireland and Vietnam has been built on a very positive development cooperation partnership which has centred on reducing poverty among ethnic minority communities, sharing the experience of Ireland’s development through exchange between Irish and Vietnamese economic and social institutions, providing scholarship opportunities for talented young Vietnamese, and supporting Vietnam’s emerging civil society.

Minh thanked Ireland for supporting the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He recommended the two sides to cooperate to optimise opportunities from the deals, thus helping the two economies to overcome the current challenges.

Ambassador John McCullagh discusses opportunities for Vietnam and Ireland in the context of the Europe Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (Photo: dta.ie)

Ireland also highly values Vietnam's importance to the country: ‘There is great potential to increase bilateral trade and for both countries to benefit. Vietnam’s growing population and sustained economic growth mean that it is an increasingly important market for Irish and EU businesses.’ – Ambassador of Ireland to Vietnam, John McCullagh talked to VTC 10 and Vietnam Financial Times about EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

The two officials recognised positive progress in the bilateral relations and agreed to jointly organise activities marking the 25th founding anniversary of Vietnam-Ireland diplomatic ties (1996-2021), while enhancing multifaceted cooperation, especially in economy, trade and development cooperation.

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