At the invitation of Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk, Czech Prime Minister Petr Fiala, and WEF founder and Executive Chairman Klaus Schwab, the Vietnamese delegation aims to enhance bilateral relationships and foster cooperation with these key European nations.
The visit to Poland comes as the two countries prepare to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025.
Vietnam and Poland share a long history of collaboration, particularly during the 1970s and 1980s when thousands of Vietnamese students studied in Poland.
Many of these alumni went on to contribute significantly to Vietnam's government and industry.
Vietnam is Poland’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia, while Poland is one of Vietnam’s priority partners in Central and Eastern Europe.
Collaboration extends beyond trade to sectors such as security, defense, education, culture, and tourism.
The Vietnamese community in Poland is highly regarded for its industriousness and contributions to the Polish economy and society.
Similarly, the visit to the Czech Republic coincides with the upcoming milestone of 75 years of diplomatic ties. Over decades, the Czech Republic has supported Vietnam by providing educational and labor opportunities.
It was also the first Central and Eastern European country to offer official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam.
Vietnam is now the Czech Republic’s largest trade partner within ASEAN. The Czech Republic was among the first EU nations to ratify the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
The Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, numbering nearly 100,000, was recognized as an official ethnic minority group in 2013. Their active contributions to bilateral relations have earned high praise from the Czech government.
Participating in the World Economic Forum
The WEF, founded by Klaus Schwab in 1971, is a non-profit organization that operates as a public-private partnership. Headquartered in Geneva, it collaborates with around 700 global corporations across various industries.
The WEF’s annual meeting in Davos is its flagship event, drawing political, business, cultural, and academic leaders from around the world to shape regional and global agendas.
Vietnam has been a partner of the WEF since 1989, and this relationship has evolved significantly.
Vietnamese Prime Ministers, including Pham Minh Chinh, have regularly participated in these forums to discuss economic, social, and global challenges.
During his European tour, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will engage in high-level meetings with Klaus Schwab and other global leaders to strengthen Vietnam's role on the international stage and explore new avenues for collaboration.
Tran Thuong