Austrian media cover Vietnamese Foreign Minister’s visit

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and Austrian Minister of Digital and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher at their meeting in Vienna (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – Austrian press outlets including Austria Press Agency (APA), national public broadcaster ORF and Vienna.at on September 28 covered the visit by Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, which they said would contribute to promoting bilateral relations.

An article published in Vienna.at reported on the talks held between Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg and Minister of Digital and Economic Affairs Martin Kocher talks with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, who was in Austria from September 28 to 29, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Following the talks with his Vietnamese counterpart, Schallenberg wrote on his personal Twitter page that he looks forward to visiting Vietnam next year and affirmed that Austria has a big interest in deepening economic relations with Vietnam.

Schallenberg highlighted close trade ties between the two countries over the past five decades. He cited statistics from the Austrian Foreign Ministry that showed about 60 Austrian firms are operating in Vietnam with total investment capital of about 150 million EUR. He stressed that Austria targets increasing exports as it is facing a trade deficit. Next month, a large Austrian business delegation will arrive in Vietnam to explore business opportunities in fields of the European nation’s strength.

According to him, smart city development, electronic mobility, renewable energy, infrastructure and a circular economy hold huge potential for investors in Southeast Asia.

On global and East Sea issues, Schallenberg affirmed that Austria supports efforts to build a code of conduct by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

During his working session with the Vietnamese Foreign Minister, Minister Kocher discussed ways to bolster bilateral partnerships and stressed the importance of the Asian market for Austrian firms.

Meanwhile, the portal of the Austrian Foreign Ministry, bmeia.gv.at, said Minister Schallenberg hosted a reception for his Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son in Vienna on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties. 

Austrian enterprises are interested in diverse and unexplored potential in Vietnam, it said.

The two diplomats debated the East Sea issue and maritime security in the region. The Austrian Foreign Ministry expressed support for reaching a code of conduct built by ASEAN member states. Apart from their bilateral relationship, the two ministers also talked about current conflicts, their related consequences and risks.

Minister Schallenberg also revealed his plan to visit Vietnam next year, according to bmeia.gv.at.

During the talks, Schallenberg said his Vietnamese guest’s official visit to Austria is important to the promotion of the traditional friendship and sound cooperation in all spheres between the two countries.

Son expressed his delight at meeting Schallenberg after their phone talks in June 2022 and also highlighted the significance of his trip amid the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

Looking back on the countries’ cooperation and friendship, the two officials noted both sides attach importance to and are resolved to strengthen bilateral ties substantively and effectively. Despites difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the countries have maintained high-level mutual visits and meetings via flexible forms, thereby helping reinforce political trust and all-round connections.

They agreed to press on with delegation exchanges and contact at all levels and maintained existing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms such as the joint committee for economic and trade cooperation.

Trade and investment links form an important pillar of the countries’ relations. The enforcement of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) over the last two years have created a driving force for bilateral trade to reach 3.35 billion USD in 2021.

Minister Son asked the Austrian Government to promote the Austrian parliament’s ratification of the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and support the EU’s removal of the “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s fishery exports, thus facilitating bilateral investment, business, and trading activities on the basis of equality and mutual benefits.

He also thanked the Austrian Government for providing development assistance for Vietnam over the past years.

Meanwhile, Schallenberg affirmed that his country will continue development credit for the Southeast Asian nation. He also showed his interest in stepping up ties in vocational training, tourism, and people-to-people exchange./.