Deputy FM Le Thi Thu Hang holds talks with Malta's Permanent Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade
WVR - On January 23, in Hanoi, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang held talks with Malta's Permanent Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Christopher Cutajar, during his visit to Vietnam.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang in talks with Malta's Permanent Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Christopher Cutajar. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In an atmosphere of openness, trust, and friendship, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang expressed her pleasure in meeting Deputy Minister Christopher Cutajar again at a special time when Vietnam is organizing the 14th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam. She affirmed that the visit holds significant meaning, contributing to the continued implementation of cooperation contents exchanged during the meeting in September 2025 in Malta and opening up new cooperation opportunities between the two countries both bilaterally and multilaterally.
Deputy Minister Christopher Cutajar thanked Vietnam for the warm welcome, extended congratulations to the 14th Party Congress, and expressed his impression with Vietnam's long-term development vision and strategic goals aimed at the milestones of 2030 and 2045.
The Deputy Minister noted that interest and desire for cooperation with Vietnam are increasing in Malta, affirming the wish to continue expanding substantive cooperation with Vietnam in the coming time.
Both sides agreed to enhance exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially high-level and between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs; to promote the role of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs as a bridge in fostering connections and cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities.
On this occasion, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang conveyed an invitation from Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung to Malta's Deputy Prime Minister, Minister for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade, Ian Borg, to visit Vietnam.
Regarding economic, trade, and investment cooperation, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang appreciated Malta's role as a transshipment hub in the Mediterranean region; she suggested Malta continue to leverage its position as an EU member to urge the remaining EU countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission (EC) in lifting the "yellow card" IUU for Vietnamese seafood.
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| Deputy Minister Christopher Cutajar congratulated the 14th National Party Congress and expressed his impression with Vietnam's long-term development vision and strategic goals aimed at the milestones of 2030 and 2045. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
Secretary Christopher Cutajar affirmed that Malta wishes to promote trade exchanges, cooperation, and investment with Vietnam in areas of strength such as maritime, crew training, pharmaceuticals, semiconductors, education, tourism, and is ready to coordinate organizing business delegations to explore bilateral cooperation opportunities.
The two Deputy Ministers welcomed the establishment of a Political Consultation mechanism between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs; agreed to promote cooperation in education and training, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism between the two countries; and to enhance the bridging role in strengthening cooperation between Malta and Southeast Asia, and between Vietnam, ASEAN, and the EU.
Both sides affirmed their continued support for each other at international forums and organizations; reaffirmed their commitment to the United Nations Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Regarding the East Sea issue, both sides emphasized the stance and importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, freedom of navigation, and overflight in the region.
During the visit, Malta's Permanent Secretary for Foreign and European Affairs and Trade had a working session with the leadership of the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, meeting and exchanging with students of the Academy.
