News

On July 2, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Asta Skaisgirytė Liauškienė met with Vietnam’s Deputy Foreign Affairs Minister Bui Thanh Son. The delegation that is led by the Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister is paying a visit to mark the 20th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Lithuania and Vietnam.

At the meeting, the Vice-Minister stressed that relations between Lithuania and Vietnam were intensifying. The first Lithuania-Vietnam political consultations took place in July 2011. Officials intend to organize such political consultations also in the future.

Liauškienė informed the guest about the priorities of Lithuania’s Presidency of the EU Council in the second half of 2013. She noted that Vietnam was becoming an increasingly important EU partner. On June 27, the EU and Vietnam signed the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement, which provides many opportunities for the development of relations between Lithuania and Vietnam.

During the conversation, the officials discussed prospects for cooperation in the fields of information technology and education. The Vice-Minister also invited Vietnamese representatives to come with a business delegation to the “Baltic Textile and Leather” exhibition, which is due in Vilnius on October 25-27.

In 2011, Lithuania-Vietnam trade turnover was 64.11 million Litas (18.58 million EUR). Lithuania mainly exports to Vietnam metals, dairy products, timber, wheat, and linen fabrics. The country imports from Vietnam fish, nuts, rice, and paper.

Vietnam recognized Lithuania on November 9, 1991. Diplomatic relations were established on March 18, 1992.