Vietnam: A Key Partner Country for Ireland

TIN LIÊN QUAN
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This week I am pleased to return to this great ‘City of Peace’.  

Since I was last here in 2012, much has changed globally.

We face challenges to longstanding norms of multilateral cooperation, made all the more serious by political and military threats which risk human lives and well-being.

Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D., Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development of Ireland (green hat) pays a working visit to Hoa Binh Province. (Photo: Ireland Embassy in Ha Noi)

We have seen shifting attitudes towards globalisation, and a tendency towards trade protectionism. Young, innovative, export driven economies like Ireland and Vietnam, which rely on global cooperation and open trade to drive our growth and protect our security must work together in the face of these challenges.

For Ireland, this is a time to redouble our energies to build strong international partnerships. In Vietnam, we have found a partner that we like and respect. We are committed to deepening our political and economic ties for the mutual benefit of both our peoples.

We are building strong links between Irish and Vietnamese Universities, funding research projects and exchanges of staff and ideas. We provide scholarships to over 30 exceptional Vietnamese students every year to study in Ireland. Irish institutions such as the Central Bank of Ireland are working closely with their Vietnamese counterparts. We have much to learn from each other as our countries continue to grow and develop and we are committed to supporting that exchange of ideas and expertise. 

Mr. Ciarán Cannon, T.D., Minister of State for the Diaspora and International Development of Ireland takes a group picture with local people in Hoa Binh Province. (Photo: Ireland Embassy in Ha Noi)

We will continue our support for Vietnam’s commitment to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and to rise to the challenge of developing a knowledge based ‘4.0 ready’ economy.

Ireland is a stable, competitive, secure, and pro-business economy. We believe in the international rule of law. We believe in free trade and the kind of globalisation that serves the greater good and the welfare, not just of our people, but of people everywhere. Our membership of the European Union has been a key factor in Ireland’s socio-economic success  - and we remain a committed member of the European Union and the Eurozone. We fully support the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, and are eager to see the mutual benefits it will bring to Vietnam and Ireland.

As two countries which have borne the scars of conflict, we share a passion and a commitment for peace. Our special collaboration at the United Nations on critical issues like the SDGs, cluster munitions, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and the women, peace and security agenda, is a testament to this. We congratulate Vietnam on its early ratification of the UN Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons, on which Ireland is proud to have played a lead negotiation role. We welcome Vietnam’s commitment to increase its role in peacekeeping. Ireland has a proud track record of over 60 years of unbroken contribution to UN peacekeeping missions. Last week five Vietnamese officers travelled to the UN Training School, Ireland, for specialised training for peacekeepers on protection of civilians at the HQ of Ireland’s Permanent Defence Forces. Ireland values Vietnam’s commitment to increase its engagement in the area of peacekeeping and we are committed to supporting Vietnam as it develops its own capabilities in this area.

In an increasingly complex and uncertain world, we remain true to our values, and we look forward to a deeper partnership with Vietnam for the mutual benefit of both of our peoples.

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