Hanoi, September 25, 2024 — The Europe Today: Party General Secretary and State President of Vietnam, Tô Lâm, held bilateral meetings with the President of Bulgaria, Rumen Radev, President of Finland, Alexander Stubb, and Crown Prince of Kuwait, Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, on the sidelines of the UN Summit of the Future and the High-Level General Debate of the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York on September 24.
During his meeting with President Rumen Radev of Bulgaria, President Lâm reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to deepening its multifaceted cooperation with Bulgaria, highlighting the country’s gratitude for Bulgaria’s support during Vietnam’s struggle for independence and its current national development efforts. President Lâm welcomed Radev’s upcoming visit to Vietnam and emphasized the importance of supporting the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria. He also encouraged Bulgaria to maximize the benefits of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and called for the swift ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
President Radev expressed his enthusiasm for his forthcoming visit and pledged to boost cooperation in sectors such as healthcare, IT, and environmental management. Both leaders agreed to organize cultural activities in 2025 to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
In his discussions with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, President Lâm acknowledged Finland’s longstanding support for Vietnam, particularly in achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). He praised Finland’s ratification of the EVIPA and urged further cooperation in education, culture, and other areas. President Lâm also called for Finland’s continued attention to issues in the East Sea, especially with regard to international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
President Stubb reaffirmed Finland’s commitment to enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in sectors such as renewable energy and telecommunications, and expressed hope that Vietnam would continue to serve as a bridge between Finland and ASEAN. Both leaders pledged to continue close collaboration in multilateral forums, particularly the UN and ASEAN-EU partnership.
Meeting with Crown Prince Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah of Kuwait, President Lâm underscored Vietnam’s desire to strengthen the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Kuwait. He encouraged Kuwaiti businesses to invest in areas such as green growth and Halal food production. The Kuwaiti Crown Prince acknowledged Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and emphasized Kuwait’s readiness to expand cooperation in tourism, labor, and food industries. He also pledged to work with Vietnam on resolving challenges related to the Nghi Sơn Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in Thanh Hóa Province, a key symbol of bilateral relations.
