Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Permanent Secretary of State of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs Jumka Salovaara (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

Speaking at a meeting with Permanent State Secretary of the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Jumka Salovaara, in Helsinki last Friday, Hang said the two sides should arrange reciprocal visits at various levels, promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and implement agreements signed between the two countries.

State Secretary Salovaara affirmed that Vietnam is one of Finland’s most important partners in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and pledged that Finland would continue to promote EU relations with Vietnam. He also agreed with Vietnam’s proposal to encourage EU member states to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and to call on the European Council to lift the IUU fishing “yellow card” on Vietnam.

Both sides agreed to continue close coordination and mutual support at international forums, particularly at the United Nations while reaffirming the importance of the UN, the primacy of international law, and the need to resolve disputes by peaceful means.