Bulgarian PM affirms close coordination with Vietnam in implementing Strategic Partnership
Party General Secretary To Lam had a meeting with Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov in Sofia on October 24 as part of his official visit to Bulgaria.
PM Zhelyazkov congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, affirming that Vietnam is one of Bulgaria’s most important and reliable partners in Southeast Asia.
The host considered the visit and the establishment of the Strategic Partnership, coinciding with the 75th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, as a historic landmark in the countries' relations that creates a new driving force for their traditional friendship to reach a new height.
For his part, General Secretary Lam reiterated that Vietnam treasures its traditional friendship with Bulgaria and always keeps in mind the valuable assistance extended by the Bulgarian people during both the country's past struggle for national liberation and its present cause of national development.
He briefed his host on the outcomes of his talks with President Rumen Radev and the adoption of a joint statement on upgrading bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, a milestone that opens up a new chapter and creates fresh momentum for extensive, substantive, and effective cooperation for the benefit of both peoples.
The two leaders agreed to enhance political trust, boost high-level mutual visits and meetings between the countries' Parties, States, Governments, and parliaments, and promote people-to-people exchanges.
They underlined the role of the two foreign ministries in enhancing bilateral cooperation, and pledged joint efforts to implement the Strategic Partnership and effectively leverage existing mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Committee and the Committee on Scientific and Technological Cooperation. They also agreed to explore new cooperation mechanisms matching the upgraded ties.
Highlighting economic, trade, and investment connections as the main impetus of bilateral relations, the two leaders emphasized the need for both countries to fully tap opportunities offered by the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), strengthen supply chain resilience, and expand logistics connectivity via seaports, with the goal of doubling bilateral trade in the coming years.
The Vietnamese leader affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to facilitate the entry of Bulgarian products into its domestic and ASEAN markets, while hoping Bulgaria will serve as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to the EU, reduce trade barriers, and support Vietnamese businesses to invest in Bulgaria.
General Secretary Lam also proposed further stepping up cooperation in traditional fields such as education and training, culture and tourism, health care, labor, and agriculture. He called on Bulgaria to persuade the European Commission to soon lift the “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports and to accelerate the signing of an intergovernmental agreement on healthcare collaboration.
PM Zhelyazkov expressed Bulgaria’s readiness to closely coordinate with the Vietnamese Government in effectively implementing the Strategic Partnership, reported VNA.
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| Party General Secretary To Lam (left) and Bulgarian Prime Minister Rosen Zhelyazkov at their meeting in Sofia on October 24 (Photo: VNA) |
At the meeting, both host and guest noted the vast potential for cooperation in new areas such as digital transformation, the digital economy, artificial intelligence (AI), cybersecurity, and e-government. They underlined the commitment to making science and technology an important pillar of the Vietnam – Bulgaria Strategic Partnership.
General Secretary Lam also called on Bulgarian authorities to continue supporting eligible Vietnamese citizens in obtaining Bulgarian nationality and helping the Vietnamese community integrate more deeply into local society, thus contributing to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries.
In addition, both sides agreed to maintain close coordination and mutual support at international forums, particularly within the UN and ASEAN – EU frameworks, and to work together in addressing global challenges including climate change, energy security, and sustainable development.
The General Secretary also took this occasion to convey PM Pham Minh Chinh's invitation to visit Vietnam to PM Zhelyazkov.
Top legislator meets with South African President
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on October 24 had a meeting with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa, who is on a two-day state visit to Vietnam.
The top Vietnamese legislator stressed that Ramaphosa’s visit marks an important milestone, ushering in a new phase in the bilateral relations, deepening political trust, and strengthening substantive and long-term cooperation for the benefit of the two countries’ people.
He congratulated Ramaphosa on his successful meetings and talks with State President Luong Cuong and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Chairman Man praised the South African people for their remarkable achievements in building a harmonious, just, and prosperous nation, expressing his belief that under the leadership of President Ramaphosa and the African National Congress (ANC), South Africa will continue to play a leading role in the African continent and maintain its influential voice on the global stage.
He congratulated South Africa on the successful hosting of the 11th G20 Parliamentary Speakers’ Summit in Cape Town earlier this month, noting that the event promotes stronger inter-parliamentary cooperation and dialogue to advance sustainable development and reduce development disparities among countries.
He stated that the Vietnamese NA always values and seeks to further promote friendship and multifaceted cooperation with South Africa, towards making parliamentary collaboration a key pillar of the bilateral relations, NDO reported.
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| National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (right) meets with South African President Matamela Cyril Ramaphosa in Ha Noi on October 24, 2025 (Photo: VNA) |
He suggested the two sides further strengthen exchanges between parliamentary delegations, especially among the specialised committees of the two legislatures, promote the sharing of legislative experts, and work toward the early signing of a memorandum of understanding on inter-parliamentary cooperation.
The NA Chairman invited the Parliament of South Africa to send representatives to upcoming legislative workshops organized by the Vietnamese NA, and showed his hope that cooperation between the two legislative bodies will serve as a model for other Southern Hemisphere legislatures in addressing global challenges.
He took the occasion to call on the two parliaments to further strengthen coordination, support each other, and hold bilateral meetings on the sidelines of multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and Southern Hemisphere parliamentary groups to jointly safeguard the interests of developing countries.
For his part, President Ramaphosa expressed his pleasure at the positive development of inter-parliamentary relations between the two countries, noting that promoting parliamentary cooperation is an important factor for sharing experiences and contributing to building the rule-of-law state in each country.
The South African President affirmed his determination to strengthen bilateral cooperation, including parliamentary collaboration, to commensurate with the strong political relations.
He noted that as the two nations officially elevate their relationship to a strategic partnership, the role of their legislatures becomes essential to ensure the effective implementation of cooperative agreements.
As part of his working program with the Vietnamese legislature, the guest attended the 10th session of the 15th NA, and visited the NA Museum.
Vietnam, Australia step up business association links
The first online meeting connecting Australia – Vietnam business councils, associations, and organizations across Australia, along with Vietnamese firms operating in the country was held on October 24.
The event, jointly organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Australia and the Consulates General in Sydney and Perth, brought together nearly 30 delegates, including leaders and members of nine Australia – Vietnam business organizations, and representatives of many Vietnamese enterprises.
Addressing the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Pham Hung Tam emphasized the importance of enhancing connections and cooperation among business associations and groups interested in Vietnam across Australia.
He described the meeting as an excellent platform for the associations to network, explore potential partnerships, and consider the formation of a federation of Australia – Vietnam business associations in Australia.
Former Australian Ambassador to Vietnam Andrew Goledzinowski, currently an advisor to several Vietnam-related organizations, shared a similar view, noting that he is working with various Vietnamese associations in his country such as intellectuals', women’s, and entrepreneurs' groups, and recognised a strong need for better coordination among them.
Simon White, Chairman of the Australia – Vietnam Business Council in Queensland (AVBCQ), also highlighted the growing demand for a unified organization to link different associations interested in business cooperation with Vietnam, reported VNA.
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| The Vietnamese Embassy in Australia joins the online meeting. (Photo: VNA) |
The proposal was supported by Tran Ba Phuc, President of the Vietnamese Business Association in Australia (VBAA), and Nguyen Ngoc My, Chairman of the Northern Territory – Vietnam Business Council (NTVBC).
During the meeting, participants introduced their organizations and enterprises, shared business cooperation ideas, and discussed plans to exchange information and data, including setting up a joint communication group via WhatsApp. They agreed to consider establishing a unified organization in Australia to strengthen coordination.
On this occasion, Ambassador Tam appreciated the support and collaboration extended by the business organizations and associations to Vietnamese enterprises and working delegations visiting Australia.
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