site.btaBulgarian-Vietnamese Ties Have Rich History, Excellent Development Prospects, Says Deputy Foreign Minister Pavlov

There are all preconditions for deepening, developing and benefiting from the trade and economic potential in the relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam,  Deputy Foreign Minister Nikolay Pavlov said here on Thursday. He was addressing a Bulgarian-Vietnamese Economic Cooperation Forum, organized by the Bulgarian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI) and the Embassy of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam on the occasion of 75 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations.  

Vietnam is a traditional and important partner in the Southeast Asian region. Bulgaria values the long-standing bilateral ties of friendship, trust and mutual respect, Deputy Minister Pavlov said. He praised as traditionally good the high-level and top-level political dialogue between the two countries, adding that it has gained new dynamics in recent years. 

Examples of this are the visit of Bulgarian President Rumen Radev to Vietnam in 2024 and the then signed Bulgarian-Vietnamese declaration, the visit of Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Bulgaria in 2023 and the return visit to Vietnam of then Bulgarian National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov in early 2024, as well as the visit of Vietnam's Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan in 2021 and the meeting of the joint commission for trade and economic cooperation in Sofia after years of interruption. In Pavlov's words, this dynamic exchange is a solid basis for building bilateral relations in a wide range of areas. He listed as areas of mutual interest  information and communication technologies, innovation, green transition, components for electric cars, digital transformation, high-tech agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and other areas.

The entry into force of the EU-Vietnam Trade Agreement and Investment Protection Agreement is a very important factor for the development and momentum of trade and investment relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam, Deputy Minister Pavlov said.

The forum was attended by representatives of 10 companies from Vietnam as well as online participants. On the Bulgarian business side, there were over 60 people in the hall, and the virtual number exceeded 70 people, according to BCCI information. An exhibition of Vietnamese food products was organized at the event.