Speaker of the Finnish Parliament successfully concludes official visit to Vietnam

Seeing off the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho and the delegation at Noi Bai International Airport were: Deputy Chairman of the Foreign Affairs Committee of the National Assembly Le Anh Tuan, Finnish Ambassador to Vietnam Keijo Norvanto.

During his official visit to Vietnam, Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho and the delegation laid wreaths and visited President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.

At the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted an official welcoming ceremony for National Assembly Chairman Jussi Halla-aho. After the welcoming ceremony, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and National Assembly Chairman Jussi Halla-aho had a successful meeting.

During the official visit to Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Standing member of the Secretariat and Head of the Central Organizing Committee Truong Thi Mai and received National Assembly Chairwoman Jussi Halla-Aho.

Visiting and working in Bac Ninh, the President of the Finnish Parliament attended the ceremony to certify the completion of the construction of the Thang Long - Bac Ninh Waste-to-Energy Plant Project in Dong Sai village, Phu Lang commune, Que Vo town (supported, built and operated with Finnish technology).

In Hanoi, the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament visited and worked at Tan Thoi Dai School; attended the opening ceremony of the new Consular Office of the Finnish Embassy; visited the special national relic of Van Mieu - Quoc Tu Giam, and Hoa Lo Prison relic.

This is the first visit by Speaker of the Parliament Jussi Halla-aho outside Europe since he took office and he only visits Vietnam, not other countries. This shows the special position of Vietnam in Finland's foreign policy as well as the good friendship between the legislatures of the two countries. The visit is also a high-level delegation exchange to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Finland and Vietnam (1973 - 2023).

During the official visit to Vietnam by the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament, the leaders of both sides highly appreciated the positive developments in cooperation between the two countries in all fields; agreed to continue to work together to find new directions, new ways of doing things and new motivations to deepen bilateral relations. The two sides agreed to promote delegation exchanges and high-level contacts through all Party, State and National Assembly channels to increase political trust; strengthen close cooperation in multilateral forums for the purpose of ensuring stability, peace and sustainable development.

The two sides expressed their delight at the good cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies through the exchange of delegations at the leadership level and the agencies of the National Assembly. Within the framework of multilateral cooperation, the two sides maintain contact, coordination and mutual support at regional and international parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP). The two sides continue to strengthen cooperation in parliamentary diplomacy; increase the exchange of high-level delegations and specialized committees of the National Assembly; enhance exchanges of parliamentarians, including the Vietnam-Finland Parliamentary Group, in relations with ASEAN, female parliamentarians, young parliamentarians; exchange experiences in parliamentary organization and activities to continue to innovate and improve the effectiveness of the National Assembly and its supporting agencies.

The two sides agreed to strengthen supervision of the effective implementation of international treaties and cooperation agreements signed between the Governments, ministries, branches and localities of the two countries; support and enhance connectivity and cooperation between businesses and localities of the two countries; perfect mechanisms and legal corridors to facilitate cooperation between functional agencies and businesses of the two countries; continue to promote close coordination mechanisms, enhance consultation, information exchange, coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums such as IPU, ASEP, etc.

Thanking the Finnish Parliament for ratifying the Vietnam-European Union Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hopes that Finland will continue to influence the remaining Parliaments in the EU to soon complete the ratification of this Agreement; Finland supports the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports, thereby supporting Vietnam's socio-economic development, while European consumers have access to good quality seafood at competitive prices. The Vietnamese National Assembly has passed a series of laws, including the control and fight against illegal fishing. This is for the practical benefit of Vietnam itself, for sustainable development, as well as to fulfill its commitments at COP26.

Regarding the pillar of economic cooperation, the two sides welcomed the remarkable development of bilateral trade and investment cooperation, but it is not commensurate with the potential. Therefore, the two countries continue to facilitate and encourage the connection of businesses and investors, maximizing the benefits from the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), especially in areas of both sides' needs and strengths such as high technology, green development, environment, agriculture, forestry, information technology, etc.

The two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate and effectively implement the Framework Agreement between the two Governments on projects funded under the Finnish Public Investment Program, focusing on priorities to enhance competitiveness for the private economic sector, develop the knowledge-based economy, respond to challenges of sustainable development and climate change, and develop the Mekong Delta sustainably.

The two sides also shared information and views on the world and regional situation and a number of issues of mutual concern; affirmed that the two countries are ready to cooperate bilaterally and at multilateral forums on the basis of respecting international law and the United Nations Charter, for peace, stability and development of the world and the region, including the East Sea.