Hanoi, July 1, 2025 – The Europe Today: Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam Hồ Đức Phớc held separate high-level meetings with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio on Tuesday, on the sidelines of the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4) in Sevilla, Spain.
During his meeting with Prime Minister Sanchez, Deputy PM Phớc congratulated Spain on successfully hosting the FfD4, expressing confidence that the outcomes of the event would help shape global financial cooperation frameworks and priorities, contributing to the acceleration of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deputy PM Phớc highlighted the robust development of Vietnam–Spain relations, particularly through frequent high-level exchanges, including Prime Minister Sanchez’s recent visit to Vietnam. In response, the Spanish Prime Minister reaffirmed Spain’s strong commitment to advancing its partnership with Vietnam, identifying the Southeast Asian nation as a key priority partner in the region.
The leaders recalled the key issues discussed during Sanchez’s visit to Vietnam and his recent meeting with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on the sidelines of the third UN Ocean Conference in France. They acknowledged significant potential to boost bilateral cooperation, particularly in economic sectors, and agreed to instruct their respective ministries and agencies to actively implement the agreements reached during these engagements.
On this occasion, Deputy PM Phớc extended an invitation from Prime Minister Chính to Prime Minister Sanchez and senior Spanish leaders to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, scheduled to be held in Hà Nội in October.
Later the same day, Deputy PM Phớc met with Finnish Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Ville Tavio. He underscored Vietnam’s appreciation for its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Finland, recognizing Finland as an important partner within the European Union.
Expressing gratitude for Finland’s support for Vietnam’s socio-economic development and international integration, Deputy PM Phớc also called for increased collaboration in priority sectors.
Minister Tavio applauded Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and affirmed Finland’s view of Vietnam as a key partner in Southeast Asia. Echoing the Deputy PM’s remarks, he emphasized the need to enhance cooperation in areas where Finland possesses technological advantages and Vietnam has growing demand — such as clean water management, communications, shipbuilding, and energy transition.
Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive trajectory of bilateral ties across politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, development cooperation, education, and training. They pledged to increase high-level exchanges to bolster political trust and momentum for broader collaboration. The two also agreed to boost trade and make the most of opportunities created by the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Deputy PM Phớc urged Finland to encourage the remaining EU member states to expedite ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and to support the European Commission in lifting the “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports.
He reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to providing a stable and favourable investment environment for foreign investors, including Finnish enterprises, in accordance with domestic law.
The two leaders also reiterated the importance of strengthening regional and multilateral cooperation and agreed to continue mutual support at international forums.
