WNAM REPORT: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse Le Thi Bich Tran, and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation departed Hanoi on January 15 afternoon for official visits to Poland and the Czech Republic, attendance at the 55th World Economic Forum (WEF) Annual Meeting in Davos and bilateral meetings in Switzerland.
The eight-day trip is made at the invitations of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and WEF Founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab
PM Chinh and his spouse are accompanied by Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Van Nen; Miniser, Chairman of the Government Office Tran Van Son; Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung; Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien; Minister of Science and Technology Huynh Thanh Dat; Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Kim Son; Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung; Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan; and Chairman of the Commission for the Management of State Capital at Enterprises Nguyen Hoang Anh, among others.
This diplomatic endeavor holds particular significance as Vietnam is commemorating 75 years of diplomatic relations with both Poland and the Czech Republic this year. This is the first official visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Poland in 15 years and to the Czech Republic in six years, aiming to strengthen ties with East-Central Europe. Notably, this will be PM Chinh’s second consecutive presence at the WEF Davos and his fourth WEF meeting participation as Prime Minister.
The Government leader’s European tour aims at concretising the Party’s foreign policy as outlined in a resolution adopted at the 13th National Party Congress, the Secretariat’s Directive No.25-CT/TW dated August 8, 2018, and the Politburo’s Conclusion No.12-KL/TW dated August 12, 2021. It will contribute to promoting the great national solidarity while delivering a message of Vietnam’s aspiration for a new era – the era of the nation’s rise.
PM Chinh’s working trips also affirm Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing and strengthening political trust as well as bringing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Poland, the Czech Republic, and Switzerland to a deeper and more substantive and effective fashion in accordance with the new situation. Key areas of focus include discussions to elevate the relations and enhance collaboration across the areas of politics – diplomacy, defence – security, economy – trade – investment, education – training, culture – sports – tourism, environment, and health care, among others.
Additionally, WEF’s repeated invitations to PM Chinh demonstrate Vietnam’s growing role, position and prestige in the international arena as well as reflect the country’s efforts to maintain peace and development, settle global issues, and share its perspectives on development mindsets and global governance mid profound changes in the world economy.
Vietnam and WEF recently signed a Memorandum of Understanding on their partnership for the 2023-2026 period. They inaugurated the Vietnam Center for the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Ho Chi Minh City – WEF’s 19th such centre globally and second in Southeast Asia.
