EFFORTS FOR PEACE, DEVELOPMENT, TRUST-BUILDING AND EXPANDED COOPERATION

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his spouse, together with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, have successfully concluded their official mission from June 5 to 14, 2025, attending the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), engaging in bilateral activities in France, and paying official visits to the Republic of Estonia and the Kingdom of Sweden.

With an intensive programme of activities, the Prime Minister’s working trip yielded numerous important and substantive results, helping to refresh and deepen bilateral relations between Viet Nam and partner countries, in service of mutual interests and in contribution to peace, cooperation and development both regionally and globally.

Amid a complex and fast-changing global and regional landscape, the visit carried profound meaning for cooperation and development for peace and stability. It reaffirmed Viet Nam’s strong commitment to an independent, self-reliant, multilateral and diversified foreign policy, alongside proactive and extensive international integration. The visit also demonstrated the country’s determination and aspiration for development and integration, aiming to maximise international resources in service of national advancement.

However, like other regions across the globe, ASEAN’s maritime areas are facing severe challenges. To address these issues, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared four key orientations of ASEAN countries: ensuring that the seas and oceans remain spaces of peace, cooperative development and shared responsibility; promoting the integration of a comprehensive global approach and regional efforts in marine and ocean governance; identifying the seas and oceans as a core engine of prosperous development; and calling for further strengthening of global ocean governance based on cooperation rather than competition, to accelerate the implementation of Sustainable Development Goal 14.

The Prime Minister reiterated ASEAN’s position that upholds the values of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)—the Constitution of the Oceans—and its implementing agreements, which provide a comprehensive legal framework for all maritime and ocean-related activities.

He stressed ASEAN’s hope that UNOC 3 would inspire solidarity, strong commitments, and the formation of strategic partnerships to catalyse transformative action for the protection of our oceans.

Following this, representing Viet Nam at the Conference, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh pointed to the paradox and issued a warning: while oceans and seas cover more than 70% of the Earth’s surface and constitute the largest ecosystem of the “Blue Planet,” SDG 14—on the conservation and sustainable use of oceans—receives the least investment among the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

The Prime Minister called on the international community to act faster, stronger and more decisively, and emphasised the need for joint action by countries, regions and the world at large in conserving and sustainably managing the oceans.

He also proposed six main directions: strengthening the scientific basis of policymaking, in conjunction with traditional and indigenous knowledge; promoting science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as new drivers for sustainable marine economic development; unlocking, mobilising and efficiently utilising resources for the development of the marine economy; adopting a holistic, cross-sectoral approach to marine and ocean development governance; advancing interregional, international and intercontinental connectivity to build a network of regional and global blue economy hubs; and upholding international solidarity and cooperation in the sustainable conservation and development of oceans and seas.

Reaffirming Viet Nam’s consistent position as a friend and a reliable, proactive and responsible partner within the international community, the Prime Minister emphasised that Viet Nam has been and is working comprehensively and robustly with partners at various levels to realise the goal of conserving and sustainably using the marine environment (SDG 14) in the spirit of “three proactives”: proactively implementing policies and programmes to develop green marine economic sectors and restore marine ecosystems; proactively promoting cooperation and partnerships with countries, international organisations and stakeholders, particularly in knowledge sharing and technology transfer; proactively proposing and actively participating in and implementing initiatives at national, regional and global levels.

At the conference, following the motto of valuing time, wisdom and timely decisiveness—“say what we do, and do what we commit to, with tangible results”—the Prime Minister announced that Viet Nam has registered 15 voluntary commitments across a range of areas concerning marine and ocean governance.

Within the framework of UNOC 3 in Nice, France, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also joined other world leaders in a special event encouraging and advancing the signing of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the most significant ocean-related legal document since the beginning of the century.

Viet Nam was among the first countries to sign the agreement on the opening day and is also among the pioneers in completing domestic procedures to become a full member.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s and the Vietnamese high-level delegation’s participation in this meaningful activity relating to the High Seas Treaty underscores the Vietnamese Government’s determination and concrete action in the global community’s shared endeavour to build oceans that are peaceful, prosperous and sustainably developed.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Viet Nam made a strong impression at UNOC 3 through its proactive and substantive contributions. Viet Nam was among the countries making the highest number of voluntary commitments — 15 in total — covering a wide range of marine governance issues. This reflects the country’s strong commitment and comprehensive actions toward realising the Sustainable Development Goals. Many high-ranking leaders and international organisations expressed agreement with Viet Nam’s views and proposals and acknowledged its achievements in developing a robust maritime economy.

The partner countries highly valued Viet Nam’s growing role and stature, expressing their desire to sustain and deepen their relationships with Viet Nam. These engagements also support Viet Nam’s broader goal of enhancing its cooperation with the European Union (EU) and reinforcing its position as a bridge between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region.

Senior leaders, officials, and citizens of the host countries extended their sincere affection and warm, respectful hospitality to the Prime Minister, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held in-depth meetings and discussions with leaders of the host nations, engaged with various sectors, businesses, and Vietnamese communities abroad. Additionally, leaders from ministries, sectors, and localities accompanying the delegation held productive working sessions with their respective counterparts.

During the first leg of the trip in Estonia, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Prime Minister Kristen Michal, expressing his hope that Estonia would serve as an effective bridge for Vietnamese exports to gain broader access to the Nordic and EU markets. Both sides agreed to promote people-to-people exchanges, particularly in tourism and culture, through promotional campaigns and participation in events hosted in each country.

In discussions on regional security issues, the two leaders concurred on the importance of international solidarity, upholding the rule of law, and adhering to the fundamental principles enshrined in the United Nations Charter. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Viet Nam’s readiness to participate in international efforts to maintain peace and stability.

Regarding maritime and oceanic matters, including the East Sea/South China Sea, both sides voiced support for the freedom of navigation and overflight based on respect for the legitimate interests of coastal states in accordance with international law—particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and the peaceful resolution of disputes without the use or threat of force.

In his meeting with President of the Estonian Parliament Lauri Hussar, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed the early establishment of a Parliamentary Friendship Group between the two national assemblies, with a view to advancing mutual understanding and political trust through concrete measures.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also called on the Parliament of Estonia to support and promote the early establishment of the Viet Nam–Estonia Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and Innovation. He urged Estonia to advocate for the early ratification of the EU–Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by several EU member parliaments, in order to create new momentum for bilateral trade and investment cooperation.

President of the Estonian Parliament Lauri Hussar affirmed that Estonia wishes to expand relations with Southeast Asia and expressed his belief that the bridging role of Viet Nam and Estonia, as well as the good relationship between the two countries, will serve as a catalyst, adding momentum to EU-ASEAN cooperation in the coming period.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested the Estonian Parliament to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living and working in Estonia, continuing to serve as a bridge between the two peoples.

In France, immediately after concluding activities at UNOC 3 and travelling from Nice to Paris, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou at the Matignon Palace.

Affirming their commitment to continuing close coordination and effective implementation of outcomes achieved during high-level visits between the two countries, the two leaders emphasised the need to constantly reinforce political trust through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially at the high level and across all channels, while also studying the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms to concretise and deepen sectoral cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and French Prime Minister Francois Bayrou underlined that defence and security cooperation is a key pillar in bilateral relations. Regarding economic, trade and investment cooperation, both sides affirmed their determination to create breakthroughs by leveraging their shared stance on free trade, opening markets for each other, reducing dependency on third parties, and maintaining the stability of global supply chains.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that France soon ratify the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and closely coordinate with Viet Nam to continue effectively implementing and maximising the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). The Prime Minister also called on French investors to form joint ventures with Vietnamese enterprises to develop strategic, high-impact industries and services such as automobile manufacturing and logistics.

The two leaders also agreed to work closely together to effectively implement six major measures in bilateral relations, including: constantly reinforcing political trust; strongly enhancing defence and security cooperation; promoting economic, trade and investment cooperation in a substantive, effective, fair and sustainable manner; creating breakthroughs in science and technology cooperation, a new pillar in bilateral relations, including space science and nuclear energy cooperation; expanding cooperation in strategic infrastructure; and deepening and renewing traditional areas of cooperation. Both sides agreed to foster collaboration in culture, education, training, tourism, healthcare, and people-to-people exchanges.

Regarding the East Sea/South China Sea issue, both sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea on the basis of respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and of settling disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, without the use or threat of force.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held a meeting with President of the French National Assembly Yael Braun-Pivet. The two leaders reviewed significant achievements in the positive cooperation between the two legislative bodies, especially in delegation exchanges and contacts. They agreed to continue maintaining high-level delegation exchanges, as well as between specialised committees, friendship parliamentary groups, the women parliamentarians’ group, and young parliamentarians of the two countries.

Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination and mutual support at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, and jointly promote the implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs). In order to further deepen and substantiate the Viet Nam–France Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and leverage both countries’ strengths in the time ahead, the Prime Minister proposed that the French National Assembly support the Government in implementing the specific elements of the comprehensive strategic partnership.

He suggested symbolic projects in such areas as transport infrastructure development, new energy, education, training, culture, arts, and museum preservation. During his meeting with President of the French Senate Gérard Larcher, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the development of Viet Nam–France relations could be likened to a “rising graph”. Both sides agreed to step up defence and security cooperation between the two countries, including in peacekeeping, rescue and relief, science and technology, energy, and transport. They also agreed to strengthen educational cooperation, including exchanges between universities in the two countries; enhance cultural cooperation and the preservation of heritage sites bearing French architectural imprints in Viet Nam; and expand cooperation in healthcare, particularly vaccine production. The two sides also agreed to maintain high-level delegation exchanges and exchanges between specialised committees and parliamentary friendship groups of the two countries.

They also exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, expressing support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea/South China Sea issue and reaffirming the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea/South China Sea on the basis of respect for the rule of law, resolving disputes peacefully in accordance with international law, and refraining from the use or threat of force.

In Sweden, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson. Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson affirmed that the Government and people of Sweden highly value their relationship with Viet Nam and wish to further enhance cooperation across multiple areas such as trade, investment, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, climate change response, and sustainable development.

The two leaders agreed that the two countries should strengthen contacts and delegation exchanges at all levels, especially at the high level and among their peoples, to enhance political trust and mutual understanding, creating favourable conditions for expanding cooperation in other fields.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh remarked that, based on the strong political relations, the two countries should bolster defence and security cooperation and share experiences and viewpoints on global issues—particularly in the context of a rapidly and unpredictably changing world. Both sides also agreed to enhance coordination and support each other at multilateral forums and international organisations, especially at the United Nations, within ASEAN and the EU frameworks; and assist one another in advancing Viet Nam-EU and Sweden-ASEAN relations, thereby contributing to addressing global challenges.

In trade and investment cooperation, both sides affirmed their commitment to further facilitating access to each other's markets by effectively implementing the Viet Nam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), thereby accessing EU and ASEAN markets and striving to raise bilateral trade turnover to 3 billion USD in the near future.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has held a meeting with Swedish Crown Princess Victoria and her spouse. Both sides expressed satisfaction with the positive developments across all areas of cooperation. Political and diplomatic relations have been continuously strengthened, notably through delegation exchanges, particularly at the highest levels.

Outlining major directions for bilateral relations in the coming period, the Prime Minister suggested that the Royal Family and the Crown Princess personally further promote the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels, especially at the highest levels, and intensify local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges to create a favourable foundation for expanding cooperation in other fields. Both sides also agreed on the need to enhance cultural cooperation, including organising musical exchange events between the two countries to promote mutual cultural understanding and strengthen people-to-people connectivity.

At his meeting with Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Andreas Norlén and leaders of political parties, including the Moderate Party, the Democrats and the Liberals, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised that Viet Nam always values and wishes to deepen its friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Sweden. He affirmed that the visit would contribute fresh impetus to bilateral ties, elevating the relationship to a new level. Both sides pledged to act as bridges to help each other expand relations with ASEAN and the EU.

The Prime Minister noted that Swedish businesses have ample opportunities to enhance cooperation and expand investment in Viet Nam in areas such as artificial intelligence, information and communication technology, semiconductors, and more. This is particularly relevant in the context of Viet Nam implementing new policies, especially the four strategic pillars of institutional reform, science and technology, private economic development, and international integration, aimed at removing bottlenecks to boost foreign investment and promote rapid and sustainable development.

The Prime Minister also called on the Swedish Parliament to advocate for the early ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by remaining EU member states and urged the European Commission to soon lift the IUU yellow card on Viet Nam's seafood exports. Viet Nam, in turn, will encourage its high-tech enterprises to invest proactively in Sweden.

Responding to concerns from political party representatives in the Swedish Parliament regarding the situation in Viet Nam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh underscored that national independence and freedom, along with the well-being and happiness of the people, remain the ultimate goals of the Communist Party and the State of Viet Nam. Viet Nam shares Sweden’s view that ensuring a prosperous, free and happy life for the people represents the highest form of democracy.

In Estonia, the Prime Minister attended the Viet Nam–Estonia Business Roundtable. Delegates assessed Viet Nam as part of a dynamic and fast-growing economic region, while Estonia is among the world’s leading nations in digital transformation. The two countries are enhancing bilateral cooperation in a more substantive and effective manner and are ready to serve as gateways for deeper regional market access.

Affirming that Viet Nam is ready to act as a bridge to help Estonian businesses enter the ASEAN market, and expressing the hope that Estonia will serve as a bridge for Vietnamese enterprises to access the Baltic and Nordic countries, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on businesses from both countries to strengthen their ties. He urged them to help connect the two economies so that both sides may listen to and understand one another, share a common vision and joint actions, cooperate for mutual success and shared benefits, and jointly enjoy happiness, pride and development.

In the spirit of “harmonising benefits and sharing risks”, and “saying what we mean, doing what we say, and delivering concrete outcomes”, the Government of Viet Nam affirmed its unwavering commitment to accompanying, listening to, supporting, and creating all favourable conditions for the business community in general and foreign investors in particular to invest successfully, sustainably, and long-term in Viet Nam.

In France, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the Viet Nam–France Business Forum. He advised businesses to focus on sectors where one side has strengths and the other has corresponding needs, with specific project cooperation such as artificial intelligence (AI), semiconductor research and manufacturing, information technology, transport infrastructure, climate change mitigation, clean agriculture, energy transition, urban development, architecture, tourism, cultural industries, and development of marine space, outer space and underground space.

At the Forum, witnessed by the Prime Minister and leaders of ministries, sectors and associations, businesses from both countries signed six memoranda of understanding in the fields of aviation, technology, pharmaceuticals, transport and energy.

In Sweden, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Swedish Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa co-chaired the Viet Nam–Sweden Business Forum under the theme “green transition, digital transformation and innovation”.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed the wish that businesses of the two countries would proactively connect with each other and link the two economies, not only between Viet Nam and Sweden but also with ASEAN, Northeast Asia and the Nordic region. The Vietnamese Government is currently focusing on improving institutions, developing infrastructure, and training human resources to ensure “transparent institutions, seamless infrastructure, and smart personnel and governance”.

In the spirit of "say it, do it; once committed, it must be fulfilled; once done, it must yield results", Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his belief that, with the core values and good relationship between Viet Nam and Sweden, there will be a new wave of Swedish investment into Viet Nam in the times ahead, so that in the coming years, whenever the New Year is welcomed, the song “Happy New Year” by Swedish band ABBA will be felt with even greater joy and happiness.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid a visit to the Stockholm School of Economics and delivered a policy address. After sharing Viet Nam’s vision and key development orientations for the coming period, and presenting a forward-looking perspective on bilateral relations in the new era, the Prime Minister stated that Viet Nam and Sweden are now facing a historic opportunity to rise and affirm their roles as leading economies in their regions. He emphasised the need to elevate the two countries’ friendship and sustainable cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit, contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia and Northern Europe, and more broadly, in the Asia-Pacific region and Europe.

To realise this shared vision and aspiration, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised the need for the two countries to work together to implement key breakthroughs: a breakthrough in political and diplomatic relations; promotion of shared values, mutual political trust and deep-rooted friendship; and the establishment of major strategic orientations to enhance bilateral ties. These would serve to generate fresh impetus for a more substantive and effective Viet Nam–Sweden partnership, particularly in the fields of science and technology, innovation, and sustainable development.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also held a working breakfast with senior leaders of major Swedish corporations to discuss investment cooperation across multiple sectors. He also addressed questions regarding the potential for bilateral cooperation in high technology, clean energy production, research and development, and the manufacturing of robotics and semiconductors in Viet Nam.

It can be said that Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s working visit has helped shape cooperation frameworks in emerging fields where partner countries possess strengths and in which Viet Nam has growing demand.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, France stands at the forefront in the fields of telecommunications, aerospace, renewable energy, advanced manufacturing, and high-speed rail. Sweden excels in innovation, information technology, green economy, digital economy, and the circular economy. Estonia, meanwhile, is a European leader in digital transformation and e-government.

Following this working visit, Viet Nam and Sweden officially became sectoral strategic partners in science, technology, and innovation. Both France and Estonia affirmed their willingness to collaborate with Viet Nam on digital transformation, innovation, green economic and circular economic development, through the sharing of experiences of best practices, and technological solutions in the near future.

This also underscores the strong interest, support, and close cooperation of the countries with Viet Nam on international and regional issues of mutual concern, based on respect for and compliance with international law, contributing to regional and global peace, stability, and cooperation.

During the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held high-level meetings and engagements with numerous Heads of State, Heads of Government, and leaders of countries and international organisations. These included United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres; President of France Emmanuel Macron; King Abdullah II bin Al-Hussein of Jordan; President of Costa Rica Rodrigo Chaves; Prime Minister of Tuvalu Feleti Penitala Teo; leaders of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); leaders of the European Union; Chinese Vice President Han Zheng; Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis; Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez; President of Palau Surangel Whipps Jr.; Prime Minister of the Solomon Islands Jeremiah Manele; Portuguese Prime Minister Luís Montenegro; and President of Peru Dina Boluarte, amongt others.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Viet Nam takes pride in the recognition by other countries and international organisations of its remarkable socio-economic progress, raising people’s living standards, and uts rapid transformation towards a new era of nation's rise.

Viet Nam is confident in the practical measures and strategic directions jointly proposed and agreed upon by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the leaders of the partner countries and international organisations. These efforts will not only reinforce bilateral relations but also meaningfully contribute to peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and the world, particularly amid growing global political and economic uncertainties.

During his visit, the Prime Minister also met with overseas Vietnamese communities, affirming the deep care and commitment of the Party, State, and the people at home for all Vietnamese nationals abroad. Overseas Vietnamese, including intellectuals and businessmen, expressed their pride in the nation’s achievements and their determination to contribute further to its development.

According to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, with an intensive schedule of 84 activities, it can be affirmed that the Prime Minister’s working visit yielded numerous significant and substantive outcomes. It served to revitalise and deepen bilateral relations between Viet Nam and its partner countries, for the mutual benefit of all parties, contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and across the world.

These outcomes also constitute an important foundation, a source of momentum, and an inspiration for Viet Nam to continue realising its national development aspirations, mobilising the maximum possible international resources to serve its development goals in the new era, while affirming itself as a friend, trusted partner, and a proactive, responsible member of the international community.