Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said that the working trip of the Prime Minister is a step to practically implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactiveness, active, comprehensive, extensive and effective integration into the international community in the spirit of the 13th National Party Congress. This is also an important foreign activity to implement Resolution No. 59 on international integration in the new situation.
The trip has many milestones, including the first time a Prime Minister has visited France since the two countries upgraded their relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (October 2024); the first visit to Sweden in 6 years by a Vietnamese Prime Minister and the first time a key Vietnamese leader has paid an official visit to Estonia since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992.
In the context of many profound changes in the world and the region, the working trip is of great significance in three major areas, according to Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.
First, it is the message of peace, stability, cooperation and development. This is an opportunity to deepen the relationship between Vietnam and France, Sweden and Estonia. France is currently a comprehensive strategic partner, while Estonia and Sweden are traditional friends with multifaceted cooperative relations with Vietnam. The bilateral activities of the Prime Minister in France will concretize major orientations in the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as the Vietnam - France Joint Statement on President Macron's State visit to Vietnam (May 2025).
With Sweden and Estonia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the leaders of the two countries will re-evaluate the cooperation journey and propose specific measures to create new momentum. The working trip also aims to promote deeper cooperation with the EU, enhance the role of a ASEAN-EU bridge, contributing to global peace, stability and sustainable development.
Second, the working trip is an opportunity for Vietnam to convey a message of determination and aspiration for development, attracting international resources to serve development goals in the new era. France has strengths in telecommunications, aviation - aerospace, renewable energy, and high-speed railways. Estonia stands out in digital transformation and e-government. Sweden is strong in science and technology, innovation, information technology and green economy. These are areas of cooperation that are " leveraged" in line with development orientation, helping Vietnam attract investment and achieve double-digit growth goals.
Third, from a multilateral perspective, the Prime Minister's attendance at the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3) with the theme "acelerating action and mobilizing all parties to participate in ocean conservation and sustainable use" affirms that Vietnam is a trusted partner, an active and responsible member of the international community.
At the conference, the Prime Minister will speak as representatives of ASEAN countries, emphasizing the role of international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the 1982 Law of the Sea Law in handling challenges related to the ocean. The Prime Minister will also share strong measures in Vietnam being implemented to achieve the goal of sustainable development of oceans, sea and sea resources.
Within the framework of the Conference, the Prime Minister will co-chair the Summit with the President of Colombia and the President of Iraq on the continental Delta regions affected by climate change.
