Vietnam and Ireland Hold Political Consultation on Bilateral Links
The Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Thi Thu Hang, and the Irish Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neale Richmond, co-chaired a political consultation at the level of vice ministers of Foreign Affairs in Dublin, Ireland on March 26.
>> Joint statement on strengthening Vietnam-Ireland partnership
>> Vietnam treasures friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Ireland
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| Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Le Thi Thu Hang, and Irish Minister of State for Foreign Affairs and Trade, Neale Richmond. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
Discussions focused on deepening bilateral relations, especially in higher education and cooperation between the two Foreign Affairs ministries.
Both parties reviewed recent bilateral cooperation and the implementation of agreements between the two countries, particularly following the state visit to Ireland by the Secretary General of the Party and President of Vietnam, Trong, in October 2024. They also exchanged views on regional and international issues of common interest.
Neale Richmond emphasized Ireland’s cherished friendship cultivated and strengthened over the past 30 years based on political trust, shared interests, and common values.
He expressed satisfaction with the new bilateral framework, noting that both countries now have a solid foundation to develop mutually beneficial cooperation in various areas including trade, investment, education and training, science and technology, and innovation, contributing to the prosperity of both nations and peace, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
For her part, Le Thi Thu Hang expressed delight in co-chairing this consultation, as both countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1996-2026) and the official opening of Vietnam’s embassy in Ireland. She affirmed that bilateral relations have been steadily nurtured by the leaders and people of both nations, producing positive results.
She declared that the Vietnamese people greatly value Ireland’s precious support and solidarity in their national development and international integration, and reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to deepen overall cooperation with Ireland, both bilaterally and multilaterally, while effectively implementing high-level commitments.
Both parties agreed to enhance coordination to promote high-level exchanges, fully utilizing the strategic partnership in higher education and the political consultation mechanism between the two Foreign Affairs ministries to monitor the implementation of agreements, address challenges, and deepen cooperation in specific areas.
Recognizing the importance of their close coordination in multilateral forums, both parties reaffirmed mutual support for their respective candidacies to UN bodies and other international organizations. They also agreed to facilitate each other’s cooperation with the EU and ASEAN.
Both parties acknowledged the positive growth in bilateral trade, which reached nearly $4.1 billion in 2025, a 14% increase from the previous year. They underscored the importance of effectively implementing the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to facilitate better market access for goods from both countries, especially agricultural and aquatic products, promoting more balanced exchanges.
The Irish side praised the effective implementation of the memorandum of understanding on food systems transformation signed in October 2024, and welcomed Vietnam’s market opening to Irish beef.
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| Vice Minister Le Thi Thu Hang on a working visit to Trinity College’s Innovation Hub in Dublin. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
Both parties agreed to continue their cooperation and sharing of experiences in agriculture value chain policy and management systems, linking businesses, farmers, organizations, and consumers, while promoting enhanced connectivity and collaboration between agricultural enterprises in both countries.
They also committed to strengthen their development cooperation, with Ireland reaffirming its continued support for Vietnam in this area.
Le Thi Thu Hang urged Ireland to promptly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and encourage other EU member states to do the same, to facilitate more efficient investment flows. She called on Ireland to support the EU Commission’s prompt lifting of the “yellow card” warning imposed on Vietnamese seafood products.
Both parties noted the growth of cultural and tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges, including the increase in Irish tourists visiting Vietnam. They agreed to encourage travel agencies to participate in tourism fairs in their respective countries and promote the establishment of people-to-people friendship associations.
On regional and international issues, both parties expressed concern about tensions in certain regions, emphasizing the importance of resolving disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.
Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea), they stressed the need to maintain peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight, in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
During her visit, Le Thi Thu Hang met with Eugene Cartan, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland, and Gerard McKillen, Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Ireland and President of Pacific Land Limited. She expressed Vietnam’s appreciation to Ireland for its unwavering support and commitment to strengthening bilateral relations.
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| Vice Minister Le Thi Thu Hang with Eugene Cartan, former General Secretary of the Communist Party of Ireland. |
| Photo: CTV/CVN |
She also visited the Trinity Innovation Hub, where she emphasized Vietnam’s focus on science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation as essential drivers of development. She noted a strong convergence with Ireland’s strengths and significant collaboration prospects between the two countries in strategic technological sectors.
VNA/CVN
