Hanoi (VNA)🧸 – Vietnam values its relationship with Malta and seeks to expand and strengthen cooperation through high-level exchanges and channels, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed, welcoming the organisation of political consultations between the two countries’ foreign ministries.

At the meeting with Maltese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Ian Borg as part of her working visit to the country from September 9-10, Hang congratulated Malta on its significant achievements in recent times and thanked Malta for its consistent support for Vietnam in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks, especially within the EU. Emphasising his continuous interest in promoting relations with Vietnam, Borg appreciated Hang's visit, the first by a Vietnamese government representative to Malta. He underlined Malta's commitment to advancing relations with Vietnam within both bilateral and EU cooperation frameworks, supporting the early upgrade of Vietnam-EU relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership. Malta stands ready to serve as Vietnam's gateway to the EU, and hopes for Vietnam's support for Malta in its relations with ASEAN. Both sides discussed specific measures to enhance comprehensive cooperation, especially in economics, trade, education, training, science and technology, and maritime cooperation. The Maltese official agreed with the Vietnamese Deputy Minister's proposal to support Vietnam in enhancing product quality to meet EU standards; lobbying the European Council to lift the IUU yellow card; and strengthening maritime cooperation, including crew training, marine and ocean research, and maritime law. They agreed to expand cooperation in areas that Malta is strong in and Vietnam has demand, such as science-technology, health tourism, healthcare and pharmaceuticals, as well as to enhance cultural and artistic exchanges and people-to-people exchanges, thereby strengthening mutual understanding and connections between the two countries' people. On regional and international issues of shared concern, the Maltese official reiterated the importance of international law, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), in resolving maritime-related matters and supported ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea. Earlier, on September 9, during a working session between Deputy Minister Hang and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism Christopher Cutajar, joined by Chief Executive Officer at TradeMalta Anton Buttigieg, the two sides reviewed bilateral cooperation and concurred to coordinate the implementation of bilateral and multilateral commitments and agreements, and promote the signing of documents to create a legal framework for long-term cooperation between the two countries. The Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and Tourism expressed admiration for Vietnam's socio-economic achievements and dynamic development, as well as its multilateral and diversified foreign policy, being a friend to all countries; while thanking the Ministry of Foreign Affairs for arranging the visit to Vietnam in last December. Both sides also agreed to deepen Vietnam-Malta economic cooperation, creating conditions for businesses from both countries to explore each other's markets, promoting trade and investment activities such as organising seminars, economic forums, and Vietnam-Malta business forums. They consented to continue effectively exploiting the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), urging EU countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), thereby enhancing investment attraction between Vietnam and the EU in general and with Malta in particular. As a country with strengths in maritime economy and shipping, Malta affirmed its readiness to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in training sailors and crew members to international standards, developing tourism, and promoting the signing of maritime cooperation agreements. Deputy Minister Hang thanked the Maltese Government for facilitating the Vietnamese community in Malta and requested continued support for Vietnamese people in Malta to live, work stably, and integrate with local society. During her visit, she toured the Maritime MT training centre, praising its teaching programmes and affirming efforts to connect the centre with Vietnamese universities, research institutes, and maritime training institutions./.