site.btaBulgarian, Vietnamese Agriculture Ministers Discuss Ways to Deepen Bilateral Cooperation

Agriculture and Food Minister Georgi Tahov met with Vietnam’s Minister of Agriculture and Environment Tran Duc Thang, who is visiting Bulgaria as part of the official delegation led by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam, the Agriculture Ministry said on Thursday.

The two ministers discussed opportunities to deepen bilateral cooperation in agriculture. Tahov underscored Vietnam’s importance as a key partner for Bulgaria in Southeast Asia. "Although the current volume of agricultural trade is relatively limited, we believe there is significant potential to expand our relations in the agrarian sector," he said. Tahov also highlighted the value of scientific exchange and innovation in agricultural research. Through the Agricultural Academy, Bulgaria can offer cooperation with Vietnamese research institutes in crop production, livestock breeding, food technology, and doctoral training.

For his part, Minister Tran said the two countries should expand collaboration in agricultural science and technology. "We can broaden trade between Bulgaria and Vietnam. We are ready to open the door for Bulgarian agricultural goods to enter our market and would like to sign a new memorandum of cooperation," he said.

Tahov confirmed Bulgaria’s interest in renewing the cooperation agreement with Vietnam in agriculture, livestock breeding and fisheries, which expired in 2024.

The Vietnamese delegation is led by To Lam, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, who is visiting Bulgaria at the invitation of President Rumen Radev as part of his European tour. The delegation includes more than 40 representatives of government institutions, leading companies from various sectors of the Vietnamese economy, and business organisations.

Earlier on Thursday, Radev and To Lam adopted a declaration raising relations between Bulgaria and Vietnam to the level of a strategic partnership.