The event looked back on the proud journey of friendship and cooperation between the two sides, built and developed on a shared aspiration for independence, freedom, peace, cooperation, and development. Poland, Bulgaria, Hungary, Romania, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic, and Slovak,) and Albania were among the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1950. Currently, their relationship with Vietnam is flourishing in politics, diplomacy, economics, education, training, and people-to-people exchanges. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said: "Despite the ups and downs of the international situation and in each country, we have maintained and developed a friendly, trustworthy, and sustainable relationship. Throughout three quarters of a century we have built and preserved a bridge of friendship based on the pillars of shared values, trust, understanding, support, and willingness to help each other."

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the workshop. Photo: baoquocte.vn

Vietnam considers Central and Eastern European countries an important bridge with the EU that capitalizes on the advantages of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement. Vietnam is a gateway for Central and Eastern European countries to access the Asia-Pacific region and ASEAN.