Vietnam, Lithuania strengthen strategic partnership through economic cooperation

Following the official welcome ceremony on June 12, President Luong Cuong and President Gitanas Nausėda held high-level talks. The two leaders updated each other on the current developments in their respective countries and engaged in in-depth discussions on major directions and specific measures to strengthen cooperation and elevate bilateral ties in the coming time.

The two sides agreed to continue enhancing high-level exchanges across all channels—Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people-to-people diplomacy—to deepen mutual political trust and understanding, laying a solid foundation for expanding cooperation in all fields.

President Luong Cuong holds talks with Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda. Photo: VNA.

Economic partnership: A strategic focus

Affirming that economic, trade, and investment ties remain a vital pillar in their relationship, the two leaders agreed that both nations have ample room to increase bilateral trade turnover. They discussed expanding cooperation mechanisms, including the promotion of a Vietnam–Lithuania Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, and the effective implementation of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). They also emphasized the importance of facilitating market access for each other’s goods to the EU and ASEAN, and pushing forward the signing of concrete cooperation documents, including a Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement, to eliminate barriers and strengthen trade and investment relations.

Both sides agreed to instruct their respective ministries, sectors, and localities to closely coordinate in advancing collaboration across specific sectors.

President Luong Cuong and President Gitanas Nausėda noted the complementarity of high-quality agricultural products between the two countries and explored the potential for cooperation in food processing to ensure sustainable development and food security.

The leaders also expressed interest in expanding cooperation in science and technology—particularly in high-tech, digital technology, information technology, financial technology (Fintech), artificial intelligence (AI), green transition, and renewable energy—identifying these as promising fields for bilateral collaboration.

Defense, multilateralism, and people-to-people exchanges

The two heads of state agreed to foster defense and security cooperation in line with international law and national policies, particularly in the areas of crime prevention and cyber and information security, contributing to peace and stability.

President Luong Cuong invited President Nausėda to attend the Signing Ceremony of the UN Convention on Cybercrime, scheduled to take place in Hanoi in October 2025.

Both leaders underscored the importance of enhancing people-to-people exchanges and promoting cooperation between localities through trade, investment, and tourism promotion activities.

President Luong Cuong acknowledged Lithuania’s early ratification of the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and called on Lithuania to advocate for its ratification by other EU member states. He also requested Lithuania’s support for the European Commission’s early removal of the IUU “yellow card” on Vietnamese seafood exports.

The two leaders pledged to continue close coordination, experience sharing, and mutual support at multilateral forums—especially the United Nations and within ASEAN–EU cooperation—to address regional and global challenges.

Vietnam expressed its support for Lithuania’s early accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), thereby expanding Lithuania’s ties with ASEAN and its members. Lithuania, in turn, affirmed its commitment to deepening Vietnam–EU cooperation both bilaterally and within the EU framework.

Support for the Vietnamese community and regional peace

President Luong Cuong expressed gratitude to Lithuanian authorities for facilitating the integration of the Vietnamese community into local society and their positive contributions to Lithuania and bilateral relations.

On regional and international matters, President Luong Cuong asked Lithuania to continue supporting ASEAN’s and Vietnam’s stance on the South China Sea, emphasizing peaceful dispute resolution based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to uphold regional peace, stability, and freedom of navigation and overflight.

At the conclusion of the talks, President Luong Cuong and President Gitanas Nausėda witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements in the fields of energy, science and technology, agriculture, and finance.