Vietnamese PM, Ethiopian Counterpart Agree to Boost Economic Cooperation

Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung met with his Ethiopian counterpart Abiy Ahmed Ali in New Delhi, agreeing to further implement existing agreements, particularly in the fields of economy, trade, investment, agriculture, science and technology, education, and people-to-people exchange. To facilitate economic ties, both sides agreed to negotiate basic agreements and deals, especially a free trade agreement, an agreement on investment facilitation and protection, a double taxation avoidance agreement, and a cooperation deal on cybersecurity and high-tech crime combat. The ongoing visit to Vietnam by Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali is expected to reinvigorate bilateral ties and unlock new opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and Ethiopia, a key player in the Horn of Africa. At a meeting with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representative agencies in New Delhi on September 13, PM Hung said that officials and employees working overseas must firmly grasp the Party’s new mindset and policies on foreign affairs as well as overseas Vietnamese affairs, including the Politburo's Resolution No. 23-NQ/TW on overseas Vietnamese. NA President Man urged naval officers and personnel to thoroughly grasp and fully understand the Party’s guidelines and the State’s policies and laws regarding military and national defence affairs, with a particular focus on the "Strategy for Protecting the Fatherland in the New Situation" and the "Strategy for Sustainable Development of Vietnam’s Marine Economy to 2030, with a Vision to 2045." Vietnam's own development model centres on people, institutional reform, modern governance and science and technology, while ensuring harmony among economic growth, social equity and environmental protection, PM Hung said, affirming that Vietnam stands ready to work with BRICS in a spirit of responsibility, goodwill and substantive cooperation to create a peaceful, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive future for all countries and people. The visit will provide strong momentum to translate leaders’ commitments into concrete outcomes. Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to step up cooperation and economic connectivity in a mutually complementary manner, with new breakthroughs and qualitative advances, striving to raise two-way trade to 25 billion USD from the current 22 billion USD in a balanced and sustainable direction. The frequency of high-level visits does not tell the whole story, but at the very least it reflects clear trust at the highest leadership level, which can then spread to government agencies and other stakeholders in both countries. It also demonstrates unprecedented efforts to translate trust into concrete results, despite practical obstacles that remain, primarily in the cultural, economic and financial spheres. The two countries upgraded their relations to a Strategic Partnership in June 2013, becoming the first two ASEAN countries to establish such a partnership with each other. They then upgraded the relationship to an Enhanced Strategic Partnership in 2015 and a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in May 2025. A prominent common feature of the recent visits is that high-level diplomacy has gone beyond consolidating political relations and focused more strongly on areas that directly serve development. Trung said the visits achieved the objectives and requirements set out, with important results for Vietnam's relations with Russia and France as well as the country's development in the new period. PM Hung noted that Vietnam is transforming its development model toward greater reliance on science and technology, innovation and digital transformation, affirming that Vietnam wishes to strengthen its long-term partnership with the AIIB, particularly in strategic infrastructure development, green transition and climate change adaptation. The State visit to Russia by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam reaffirmed the solid historical foundation and high level of political trust between the two countries - a valuable asset of the Vietnamese and Russian people. Vietnam always attaches importance to its special friendship with Cuba, closely follows the situation in the Caribbean island nation, shares difficulties and challenges with Cuba, and stands ready to provide support within its capacity, said Prime Minister Le Minh Hung. Vietnam and India are among the world's fastest-growing economies and have highly complementary strengths, with substantial untapped potential for cooperation. They expressed determination to step up measures to achieve the target of 25 billion USD in bilateral trade at an early date and facilitate market access for products from both countries, particularly pharmaceuticals, agricultural products, fisheries and livestock products. Vietnam-France relations are entering a new phase with opportunities to translate high-level orientations and agreements into concrete cooperation programmes while expanding bilateral ties in economy, science and technology, education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. Vietnam and France possess a special shared legacy and strong political ties. In a rapidly changing world, the two countries have common interests in building a stronger, more autonomous relationship with a vision towards the next 20 years, said former French Ambassador to Vietnam Serge Degallaix. The statue of President Ho Chi Minh stands prominently in the Diplomatic Enclave of Chanakyapuri, New Delhi. It holds special political and diplomatic significance, reflecting the close ties between the leaders and people of the two countries, as well as India’s special sentiments toward President Ho Chi Minh in particular and Vietnam in general. PM arrives in New Delhi, beginning India trip for BRICS Summit, bilateral activities Vietnam's participation in the 18th BRICS Summit in India further reflects its consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, peace, friendship, cooperation and development; multilateralisation and diversification of external relations; and proactive, active, comprehensive, extensive and effective international integration. Vietnam has demonstrated robust growth capacity, extensive integration and a foreign policy of independence. As a result, Vietnam can contribute to BRICS on multiple issues as a partner country, while BRICS members can draw lessons from Vietnam’s experience in development, integration and supply chain connectivity. Party General Secretary and President To Lam’s official visit reaffirmed Vietnam’s particular importance attached to its comprehensive strategic partnership with France. It also provided an opportunity to connect France’s strengths in science and technology, innovation and strategic technology sectors with Vietnam’s emerging development needs. Vietnam and France reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, security, and stability in the East Sea and of full respect for the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).