General Secretary and President To Lam arrives in Dublin, beginning visit to Ireland
On the evening of October 1 local time (morning of October 2 Vietnam time), the plane carrying General Secretary and President To Lam and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation landed at Dublin Airport (Capital Dublin) to begin a State visit to Ireland.
The visit took place at the invitation of Irish President Michael D. Higgins.
Welcoming General Secretary and President To Lam and his delegation at the airport, on the Irish side were: Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine Pippa Hackett; Director of Protocol at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Eamonn McKee; Mayor of Fingal, Dublin Brian McDonagh; Irish Ambassador to Vietnam Deirdre Ní Fhallúin.
On the Vietnamese side, there were: Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK and Ireland Do Minh Hung and his wife, along with Embassy staff and overseas Vietnamese in Ireland.
This is the first visit to Ireland by a Vietnamese head of state since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1996. The visit is expected to contribute to enhancing political trust and strengthening the Vietnam-Ireland friendship, while promoting cooperation in many fields.
During the visit, General Secretary and President To Lam will hold talks with Irish President Michael D. Higgins and the heads of the Irish Government and Parliament.
The two sides' senior leaders will discuss and agree on orientations, cooperation frameworks and major measures to substantially strengthen and improve the effectiveness of bilateral relations, especially in areas of strength and in line with the development goals of the two countries such as education and training, trade and investment, innovation, science and technology, and high-tech agriculture.
The two sides will also discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern and agree on measures to promote close coordination at multilateral forums to contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
The two sides are expected to sign and approve many important documents to promote cooperation in various fields.
General Secretary and President To Lam is expected to deliver an important policy speech on the strategic vision for bilateral relations in the new development period, visit a number of educational and training establishments and high-tech facilities, and receive a number of Irish businesses.
The General Secretary and President will also have a meeting with the Vietnamese community living, studying and working in Ireland.
Vietnam and Ireland established diplomatic relations in 1996. Ireland considers Vietnam one of its leading important partners in the Asia-Pacific region and the Irish people have special affection for Vietnam.
Economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Ireland has achieved many positive results in recent times.
Two-way trade turnover in 2023 will reach nearly 3.5 billion USD, with export value from Vietnam to Ireland reaching more than 340 million USD, and in the first 6 months of 2024 reaching more than 2.1 billion USD.
Vietnam is one of nine priority partner countries receiving Irish development aid.
Education and training play an important role and are a highlight in bilateral cooperation. As the only English-speaking country in the EU, Ireland has a great advantage in attracting international students, including Vietnamese students.
