Deputy PM holds phone talks with Estonian FM

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held phone talks with Estonian Foreign Minister Urmas Reinsalu on April 29 to discuss cooperation in the fight against COVID-19 as well as coordination at the United Nations Security Council to which both countries are non-permanent members in the 2020-2021 tenure.

Deputy PM Minh informed the Estonian FM about measures implemented by the Vietnamese Government and the country’s achievements in containing the COVID-19 and maintaining economic growth.

Vietnam is ready to share information and experience with Estonia, and join hands with the country to promote international cooperation in driving back the epidemic and dealing with global challenges, he said.

Reinsalu, for his part, spoke highly of Vietnam’s drastic and effective measures as well as its active and proactive role at international and regional forums, especially its success in the role of rotary President of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) in January 2020.

He suggested that both countries continue working closely together at the UNSC on issues of global concern, especially when Estonia will serve as rotary UNSC President in May 2020.

Deputy PM Minh thanked Estonia for supporting the signing of the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in June 2019.

He proposed that the Estonian Parliament soon ratify the EVIPA to boost trade between the two countries, as well as between Vietnam and the EU.

Speaking highly of recent progress in bilateral ties, both sides vowed to strengthen traditional friendship and all-around bilateral cooperation in fields of their strength and demand in the near future, including in digital economy and e-government.