In a significant development for international relations, Vietnam and Ireland have set a goal to increase bilateral trade to $5 billion by 2026, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations. This ambitious target was agreed upon during talks in Dublin between Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
Welcoming Lam’s inaugural visit to Ireland, President Higgins praised Vietnam's strategic role in the Asia-Pacific region and highlighted the historical parallels between the two countries in their quests for national independence. He expressed confidence in the potential for cooperation across various sectors.
During the discussions, both leaders emphasized the importance of trade as a foundational pillar of their partnership. With Vietnam currently ranking as Ireland’s sixth-largest trading partner within the EU, the two sides aim to leverage the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement to facilitate business exchanges and investment opportunities.
President Higgins noted the potential for Ireland to expand exports of high-quality agricultural and food products to Vietnam, while Lam urged Ireland to expedite the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement to enhance investment cooperation.A notable outcome of the talks was the announcement of a strategic partnership in higher education, with the Vietnamese Ministry of Education and Training collaborating with the Irish Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation, and Science. This initiative aims to improve training quality, develop skilled human resources, and foster scientific research in Vietnam.
Additionally, a memorandum of understanding will be signed between Vietnam National University-Hanoi and several leading Irish universities, further solidifying academic ties.Both leaders agreed on the necessity of fostering high-level exchanges and implementing existing cooperation frameworks to build political trust and mutual understanding. They also emphasized the importance of cultural, artistic, and tourism exchanges to enhance people-to-people connections.In their discussions, Lam and Higgins addressed pressing regional security issues, including the situations in Ukraine and the Middle East, advocating for peaceful conflict resolution based on international law.
The leaders reaffirmed their commitment to collaborate within multilateral frameworks, such as ASEAN, the EU, and the United Nations, particularly on global challenges like climate change and food security. They also supported ASEAN's position on maintaining peace and stability in the East Vietnam Sea and resolving disputes in accordance with international law.
With plans for a Vietnamese embassy in Ireland underway, both nations are poised to enter a new chapter in their bilateral relations, ultimately benefiting the peoples of both countries.
