Polish Senate supports ratification of EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement: Marshal
Polish Senate supports ratification of EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement: Marshal
Marshal of the Polish Senate, Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, affirmed the legislature’s support for ratifying the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (L) shakes hands with Marshal of the Polish Senate, Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, in Warsaw, January 17, 2025. Photo: Doan Bac |
On Friday, as part of his official visit to Poland, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with leaders of the Polish Senate and Sejm (lower house).
According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during the meeting, Marshal of the Polish Senate, Malgorzata Kidawa-Blonska, affirmed that Vietnam remains a priority partner for Poland in Southeast Asia.
She also expressed the Senate’s support for the Polish government’s efforts to elevate relations with Vietnam to new heights.
Agreeing with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposal, Marshal Kidawa-Blonska confirmed that the Senate supports the ratification of EVIPA, which will help facilitate economic cooperation between the two nations.
Believing there is significant untapped potential in bilateral relations, both sides agreed to increase high-level exchanges to foster political trust and further cooperation in fields such as education, health, culture, tourism, and labor.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides committed to continued coordination and support for each other in multilateral forums.
Prime Minister Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s support for Poland’s participation in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).
Poland seeks to lift ties with Vietnam to highest possible level
In his meeting with Prime Minister Chinh, Marshal of the Polish Sejm, Szymon Holownia, expressed high regard for the positive and substantive developments in Poland-Vietnam relations.
He emphasized Poland’s desire to strengthen ties with Vietnam to the highest possible level, particularly in light of the unpredictable global challenges facing many countries.
 |
| Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R, 2nd) and his delegation meet Marshal of the Polish Sejm (lower house), Szymon Holownia (L, 2nd), in Warsaw, January 17, 2025. Photo: Doan Bac |
Prime Minister Chinh thanked the Polish Parliament for establishing the Poland-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, which includes many parliamentarians, and reflects the strong affection of the Polish people for Vietnam.
The PM urged the Polish Sejm to support efforts to elevate bilateral relations to a strategic level.
Highlighting the importance of EVIPA to economic cooperation, the Vietnamese leader requested that the Polish Sejm expedite the ratification of the agreement.
He also asked Poland, as President of the Council of the European Union, to support the European Commission in lifting the IUU (Illegal, Unreported, and Unregulated) yellow card on Vietnam’s seafood exports.
Additionally, Prime Minister Chinh encouraged the Polish Parliament to back the extended cooperation in the digital economy, green economy, and circular economy.
Marshal of the Polish Sejm, Szymon Holownia, praised the Vietnamese community in Poland, noting their high prestige, diligence, and contributions to Polish society.
He emphasized that the community serves as an important bridge between the two countries.
In response, Prime Minister Chinh thanked the Polish Sejm for its recognition and expressed hope that the community would soon be considered an official Polish ethnic minority.
During the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh extended an invitation from National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to Marshal Szymon Holownia to visit Vietnam.
Marshal Holownia accepted the invitation with gratitude and expressed his eagerness to visit.
Meeting with Poland-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group
Also on Friday, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with the Poland-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group.
During the meeting, representatives from the group shared that it is the largest such group in the Polish Parliament and includes members from all political parties.
Despite their diversity, the parliamentarians’ views on Vietnam are unified.
Agreeing with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals, the parliamentarians expressed their commitment to advocating for the swift ratification of EVIPA.
They also pledged to support the European Commission in removing the IUU yellow card and to back the recognition of the Vietnamese community in Poland as an official Polish ethnic minority.
