For the Bulgarian side, Vietnam is not only a priority partner in the Southeast Asian region, but also a country with which we are connected by strong historical ties of long-standing friendship, mutual assistance and respect. This was stated by President Rumen Radev, who together with the General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, made joint statements to the media after the official welcoming of the Vietnamese leader to our country. Radev and To Lam announced the adoption of a joint declaration on elevating bilateral relations to the level of strategic partnership between the Republic of Bulgaria and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, with both welcoming the document as a basis for deepening and expanding fruitful cooperation.
The visit of the Vietnamese leader is at the invitation of the Bulgarian head of state and is taking place in the context of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Bulgaria and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
At St. Alexander Nevsky Square, Rumen Radev and wife Desislava Radeva welcomed To Lam and wife Ngo Phuong Ly with an official ceremony. The Bulgarian President and the Secretary General held a one-on-one meeting, after which they led the plenary talks between the official delegations of Bulgaria and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.
Radev pointed out that today's adoption of the Joint Declaration on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership adds new dynamics to bilateral relations. The Bulgarian head of state and the Vietnamese leader noted the intensive political dialogue at all levels, as well as the strengthening of trust between the two countries. According to To Lam, the joint declaration is an important stage that creates the basis for deepening ties between the peoples of the two countries for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. To Lam presented the Vietnamese side's vision for the future development of bilateral relations in the context of raising them to the level of a strategic partnership in the form of a comprehensive programme, including a number of priority areas and specific forms of interaction.
During the meeting of the two delegations, the possibilities for strengthening the bilateral partnership in the fields of innovation, education, tourism, transport connectivity, agriculture, pharmacy and others were discussed. Rumen Radev noted that the two countries are experiencing sustainable growth in trade and economic relations, but there is enormous potential for upgrading. The head of state stated that in the context of Vietnam's comprehensive modernisation and its stable economic growth, on the one hand, as well as Bulgaria's establishment as an innovation centre in Southeast Europe, the two countries could collaborate in the fields of innovation, artificial intelligence and high-tech production. There is enormous potential for deepening fruitful relations in the field of security and the defence industry. Rumen Radev noted that after a 40-year break, the tradition of cadets from Vietnam training in Bulgaria as military pilots has been resumed.
In his statement, Radev pointed out that over 30,000 Vietnamese citizens who decades ago received education, professional qualifications and the opportunity to work in Bulgaria contribute to the solid foundation of bilateral relations. Today, they continue to be a strong bridge between our countries and peoples, added the Bulgarian head of state and noted the prospects for strengthening and building on the good traditions in the field of cultural and educational exchange between Bulgaria and Vietnam.
According to Radev, the declaration adopted today in Sofia is in line with the ambition to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and the European Union. We support the strengthening of relations between Vietnam and the European Union, as well as efforts for cooperation in a multilateral format, such as ASEAN, added the Bulgarian head of state. He praised Vietnam for its active and pragmatic policy, which assigns the country an important role in strengthening peace and security in the Southeast Asian region.
To Lam's visit to Bulgaria is part of the Vietnamese leader's European tour. The delegation he leads includes ministers as well as representatives of Vietnamese companies.