Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam and Irish Prime Minister Simon Harris launched a joint statement in Dublin on Thursday, aiming to further advance multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. 

The joint statement followed talks between the two leaders during Lam’s state visit to Ireland from October 1 to 3 at the invitation of Irish President Michael D. Higgins, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

During the talks, Lam and Harris updated each other on domestic developments, discussed ways to further advance bilateral relations, and exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest.

Expressing condolences on behalf of the Irish people on the recent devastation and loss of life caused by typhoon Yagi in Vietnam, Harris was pleased that Ireland was able to give support to natural disaster relief efforts in the Southeast Asian country.

The two leaders considered Lam’s visit an important milestone after nearly 30 years of diplomatic relations, underlining the importance of further strengthening bilateral relations. 

They agreed to work for the prosperity and inclusive development of both countries, as well as for peace, cooperation, and development globally, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.

Recognizing the significance of high-level visits and regular exchanges, both leaders consented to maintain cooperation between the foreign ministries, including through the bilateral consultation mechanism signed by their respective foreign ministers in February.

Harris welcomed Lam’s announcement on Vietnam's plan to open an embassy in Ireland, which both leaders said would play an important role in further deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

The two leaders praised the establishment of an Oireachtas Parliamentary Friendship Group and a Vietnam-Ireland Parliamentary Friendship Group, which will help create greater understanding between the two countries’ parliaments. 

Both leaders treasured the bridging role and positive contributions of the Vietnamese community in Ireland and the Irish community in Vietnam.

They reiterated the need for cooperation in the face of security threats, agreeing to boost exchanges and cooperation in cybersecurity and transnational organized crime prevention.

They acknowledged the importance of promoting human rights, taking into account each country’s characteristics, laws, and international obligations.

Both sides hailed the new Sectoral Strategic Partnership in Higher Education and affirmed the importance of setting up a comprehensive partnership framework at the appropriate time. 

Welcoming the significant and growing trade relationship between Vietnam and Ireland, both leaders reaffirmed the full implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and also discussed the value of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, which will contribute to facilitating trade and investment activities between both countries.

The leaders welcomed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on economic and trade cooperation between the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment of Ireland.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the Irish government for its development cooperation program, which has supported Vietnam in achieving many development goals ahead of schedule.

Harris also confirmed Ireland’s continued support for Vietnam in various areas including climate resilience, livelihoods, humanitarian mine action, nutrition, and higher education.

Vietnam greatly appreciates Ireland's support in research and technical assistance in the agricultural sector.

The leaders welcomed an MoU on sustainable food system transformation signed between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Department of Agriculture, Food and the Marine of Ireland during Lam’s visit.

Both leaders applauded potential collaboration in promoting innovation, digital transformation, climate change response, high-quality human resource training, and other areas of common interest.

Highlighting the value of cultural and artistic exchanges, tourism promotion, and people-to-people contacts, both sides were committed to deepening mutual understanding and bolstering friendship between the people of the two countries.

Both sides pledged to boost coordination and mutual assistance at international and regional forums, especially the UN and the ASEAN-EU framework. They also shared support for a united, strong, and prosperous ASEAN community that plays a central role in regional architecture and promotes the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership.

The two leaders insisted on maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Vietnam Sea, along with settling disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

They underlined the need to establish comprehensive, just, and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law, referring to the principles of respect for the territorial integrity and sovereignty of all states. 

Regarding the situation in Gaza, they called for an immediate ceasefire and hostage release deal, followed by scaled-up humanitarian assistance.

Acknowledging the significant contributions of both countries to UN peacekeeping operations, the two leaders agreed to explore opportunities for cooperation and experience sharing in the future.

The launch of the joint statement wrapped up Lam’s three-day visit to Ireland, which is currently the sixth-largest trading partner and the second-largest import market of Vietnam in the EU.

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