On Jan. 21, in Hanoi, Vietnam and Ukraine delegations held a meeting celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

30 years of development

On the Vietnamese side, attending the event were: President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga, Assistant Minister and Director of the Press - Information Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Chairman of the Vietnam - Ukraine Friendship Association Dang Van Chien.

For Ukraine, there were Chargé d'affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy in Vietnam Natalia Zhynkina and embassy officials.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Chairman of the Vietnam - Ukraine Friendship Association Dang Van Chien said the Vietnam - Ukraine diplomatic relations had achieved strong development since January 1992.

The opening speech by the Chairman of the Vietnam - Ukraine Friendship Association Dang Van Chien. Photo: Vu Khanh

The signing of the joint statement on the development and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Ukraine in March 2011 has created a legal framework for the expansion and development of the two countries in many fields.

Chargé d'Affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy Natalia Zhynkina agreed with Dang Van Chien, adding that the two countries had achieved remarkable results in building bilateral cooperation.

For example, during 30 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the two countries have signed more than 50 bilateral agreements on cooperation in education, employment, investment protection, and customs cooperation.

Chargé d'Affaires of the Ukrainian Embassy Natalia Zhynkina. Photo: Vu Khanh

"Vietnam is a reliable partner of Ukraine in ASEAN and Ukraine is ready to be a reliable partner of Vietnam in Europe. I thank the Vietnam - Ukraine Friendship Association for its contribution to the development of relations between the two countries," said Natalia Zhynkina.

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga delivered a speech. Photo: Vu Khanh

VUFO President Nguyen Phuong Nga congratulated the two countries on the 30th anniversary of Vietnam-Ukraine relations.

She emphasized that the Vietnam - Ukraine relations would certainly become stronger with the the efforts and determination of the two countries.

Opportunities for bilateral relations

Photo: Vu Khanh

On the same day, at the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences, a seminar with the theme "30 years of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Ukraine" took place.

The seminar reported on the development and opportunities in bilateral relations, and the characteristics of the relationship between the two countries after 30 years.

It was also a discussion about restoring Vietnam - Ukraine tourism in the post-Covid-19 period and the situation regarding the teaching of Vietnamese in Ukraine.

Vietnamese attendees at the seminar included Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam Vu Quang Minh, Vice President of the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences Dang Xuan Thanh, Director of the Institute of European Studies Nguyen Chien Thang, the University of Vietnamese Ambassador to Ukraine Nguyen Hong Thach and delegates.

On the Ukrainian side, there was Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Senik Dmytro, the new Ukrainian Ambassador to Vietnam Gaman Oleksandr, and embassy staff.

Speaking at the seminar, Vietnam's Deputy Foreign Minister Vu Quang Minh said it was a meaningful event to celebrate diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Ukraine, adding that it was also an opportunity to connect scholars and researchers about Ukraine.

Despite being affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, the two countries still successfully held the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade, and scientific, and technical cooperation.

Bilateral trade turnover continued to increase in the first 10 months of 2021 reaching more than 729 million USD.

"With the determination and joint effort from both sides, this relationship has much potential, gradually meeting the practical interests of the people of the two countries, commensurate with long Vietnam - Ukraine tradition as well as the importance of the comprehensive cooperation and partnership," said Vu Quang Minh.

Ukraine's Deputy Foreign Minister Senik Dmytro expressed his pleasure that the two countries had achieved remarkable results in bilateral cooperation in the last 30 years.

He emphasized the importance of economics and trade in the cooperation relationship. He was grateful to receive support from Vietnam - an influential member of ASEAN.

Vietnam - Ukraine trade in 2021 Photo: Vu Khanh Vietnam is currently one of the top 5 trading partners of Ukraine in Asia. The trade balance in 2021 increased by approximately 32% compared to 2020, reaching more than US $850 million. During the 15th session of the Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technological Cooperation from Jan. 25, 2021, priority areas for enhancement such as agriculture, mining and processing minerals, science and technology, tourism were identified. The two sides also agreed to start the FTA negotiation process, creating a favorable premise for further development of trade relations.

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