Việt Nam Seeks Stronger Cooperation with Finland

HELSINKI, November 29, 2024 – Việt Nam's Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has traveled to Finland to enhance bilateral relations and seek greater cooperation in various sectors. His visit included meetings with Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Rikka Purra on November 28. During these discussions, both President Stubb and Deputy PM Purra commended Việt Nam’s remarkable socio-economic progress, reaffirming that Việt Nam is Finland’s key partner in Southeast Asia. President Stubb expressed his satisfaction with the existing relationship and highlighted the need to expand collaboration in areas where Finland excels, such as energy, education, information technology, and environmental initiatives.

Stubb recalled his previous meeting with Việt Nam's Party General Secretary and State President during the UN General Assembly in September 2024 and expressed a desire to visit Việt Nam soon.

Focus on Sustainable Development

Deputy PM Hà emphasized Finland's vital role in supporting Việt Nam’s efforts in green economic development and sustainable transformation. Both parties acknowledged the importance of international cooperation in confronting both traditional and non-traditional security challenges. Hà reaffirmed Việt Nam's support for Finland in strengthening ties with ASEAN and highlighted the significance of multilateralism and international law in resolving conflicts peacefully.

In his talks with Purra, Hà recognized the potential for economic cooperation between the two countries in sectors including renewable energy, forestry, digital transformation, education, and information technology. Minister Purra committed to continued Finnish support for Việt Nam’s ambition of reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 and urged businesses from both nations to explore collaborative opportunities.

Promoting Business Opportunities

Deputy Prime Minister Hà proposed that Finland streamline processes for Vietnamese companies, such as FPT and VinFast, to access the Finnish market. He also urged for the swift ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the European Union, viewing it as a crucial mechanism to enhance trade and investment between the two nations.

The discussions extended to financial cooperation, where progress has been noted through agreements like the Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement and public investment framework agreements. Hà asserted that both countries could mutually benefit in this area, supporting sustainable development. Việt Nam and Finland have also collaborated extensively in international forums, notably the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM).

Educational Collaboration and Community Engagement

Hà praised Finland's esteemed education system, which has attracted more than 2,500 Vietnamese students. He urged Finland to increase the number of scholarships available to Vietnamese scholars.

The day before, on November 27, Hà met with Finnish Minister of the Environment and Climate Change Kai Mykkänen and Minister of Economic Affairs and Employment Wille Rydman. These meetings focused on reinforcing bilateral relations and exploring new opportunities in strategic sectors such as environmental management, the circular economy, and labor.

Mykkänen pointed to the significant collaboration potential in clean energy and environmental economics, sharing Finland’s experiences in promoting waste recycling and sustainable energy solutions. Rydman emphasized Finland’s pioneering approach to developing a circular economy strategy and confirmed that Việt Nam is a priority country for Finland's international labor cooperation strategy.

In closing, Hà invited Mykkänen and Rydman to participate in the upcoming 4th Green Growth and Global Goals Forum (P4G) Summit in Việt Nam set for 2025. ## Engaging with the Vietnamese Community

On the evening of November 28, Deputy PM Hà visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland, engaging with the local Vietnamese community. According to Ambassador Phạm Thị Thanh Bình, nearly 16,000 Vietnamese individuals currently reside in Finland for work, study, and other pursuits.

The discussions between Việt Nam and Finland signal a commitment to strengthening ties, with a focus on sustainable development, educational opportunities, and mutual cooperation across various sectors.