PM Pham Minh Chinh hosts Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg in Hanoi on April 17, 2023. ( Photo: VNA)

PM Chinh suggested both sides facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels to consolidate mutual trust and understanding, creating a driving force for all-around cooperation. 

He called on Austria to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods such as electronics, apparel, leather and footwear, agricultural and aquatic products to penetrate the Austrian and EU markets.

PM Chinh asked Austria to promptly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission’s early removal of the yellow card against Vietnamese seafood.

Minister Schallenberg said that the Austrian Government always considers Vietnam a prioritized partner in the region and looks to expand bilateral cooperation in various areas.

He proposed that both sides should step up labour cooperation by considering the signing of agreements between the two governments, carrying out training projects between universities and on-the-job training at Austrian companies in Vietnam, as well as developing the labour market.

The two sides vowed to support each other at multilateral and regional forums. 

They shared the importance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea (known internationally as the South China Sea), as well as settling disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).