Viet Nam and Slovakia have issued a joint statement on the
establishment of a strategic partnership on the occasion of the official visit
to Viet Nam from April 12 to 14 by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico.

The following is the full text of the joint statement as
released by the Vietnam News Agency:

JOINT STATEMENT ON THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A STRATEGIC
PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM AND THE SLOVAK
REPUBLIC

At the invitation of H.E. Le Minh Hung, Prime Minister of
the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam, H.E. Robert Fico, Prime Minister of the
Slovak Republic, paid an official visit to Viet Nam from 12 to 14 April 2026.

Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1950,
Viet Nam and Slovakia have developed a traditional friendship and multifaceted
cooperation based on trust, equality and mutual respect, for the benefit of
their peoples.

Recognising the growing geopolitical, economic and
technological importance of the Indo-Pacific, the two sides acknowledged the
value of a stronger partnership between Viet Nam and Slovakia in support of
regional connectivity, open international trade and a rules-based international
order.

The ties between Viet Nam and Slovakia are grounded in
shared interests and commitment to the general principles of international law
and the Charter of the United Nations, and the common principles set out in the
Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between the
European Union (EU) and its Member States, of the one part, and the Socialist
Republic of Viet Nam, of the other part. These principles include respect for
the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all States, respect
for each country’s political system, non-interference in each other’s internal
affairs, commitment to open, fair and rules-based trade, and strengthening the
role of international law and multilateralism, as well as the promotion of
peace, security and prosperity in line with the UN Charter. Building on 75
years of bilateral relations, the Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of
Viet Nam and the Prime Minister of the Slovak Republic agreed to adopt this
Joint Statement on upgrading Viet Nam–Slovakia relations to a Strategic
Partnership.

The Strategic Partnership aims to elevate bilateral
relations to a new level, strengthen existing cooperation mechanisms, and
explore new avenues for deepening cooperation, both bilaterally and
multilaterally.

Within this framework, Viet Nam and Slovakia will continue
to deepen cooperation in areas of mutual interest in order to deliver tangible
benefits to their peoples and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and
prosperity in the region and beyond, with a focus on the following:

I. Strengthening political and diplomatic cooperation

1. The two sides reaffirmed the important role of high-level
visits in consolidating the traditional friendship and opening prospects for
effective and substantive cooperation between Viet Nam and Slovakia for the
benefit of the peoples of both countries and for peace, stability and
development in the region. The two sides agreed to enhance delegation exchanges
and political dialogue at all levels, particularly at the high level, and to
explore the establishment of new cooperation mechanisms between ministries,
agencies and localities of the two countries.

2. The two sides agreed to strengthen contacts across all
appropriate channels, including between relevant agencies of the Communist
Party of Viet Nam, the Government, the National Assembly and localities of Viet
Nam and the relevant institutions and authorities of the Slovak Republic, in
order to enhance political, socio-economic and foreign-policy cooperation and
mutual understanding. The two sides agreed that regular political consultations
between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries would serve as a
key mechanism for reviewing cooperation and exchanging updates on bilateral,
regional and international issues.

3. The two sides expressed their desire to further
strengthen relations between their legislative bodies, including through delegation
exchanges and bilateral and multilateral engagement, particularly between
leaders, specialised committees and parliamentary friendship groups of both
sides, in line with the new partnership framework between the two countries.

4. The two sides reiterated their commitment to
multilateralism, underscored the central role of the United Nations, and
reaffirmed the importance of a rules-based international order based on
international law. The two sides reaffirmed the principle of refraining from
the threat or use of force and supported the efforts of the international
community to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful, comprehensive and
sustainable solutions to ongoing crises, with a view to achieving
comprehensive, just and lasting peace and the promotion and protection of human
rights on the basis of the fundamental principles of the Charter of the United
Nations and international law.

5. The two sides will continue to strengthen cooperation,
exchange views and, where appropriate, seek coordination in regional and
international frameworks, support each other’s candidacies at international
organisations, particularly at the United Nations, the Inter-Parliamentary
Union, ASEAN–EU, ASEM and other relevant cooperation forums. The two sides will
also continue to exchange views on regional and international issues and seek
cooperation in addressing traditional and non-traditional security challenges,
including pandemics, climate change, terrorism, water security, energy security
and food security, while promoting sustainable development, trade
liberalisation and stronger regional economic connectivity.

6. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining
peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in
seas and oceans, and of resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of
international law, in particular the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law
of the Sea (UNCLOS).

7. The two sides noted the importance of the full and
effective implementation of the 2002 Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in
the South China Sea (called East Sea in Vietnam) (DOC). The two sides also
welcomed progress towards the early conclusion of an effective and substantive
Code of Conduct in the South China Sea (COC), in accordance with international
law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea
(UNCLOS).

II. Expanding economic, trade, and investment cooperation

8. The two sides identified economic, trade, and investment
cooperation as one of the key pillars of bilateral relations. Based on existing
bilateral and multilateral economic agreements and the complementary nature of
the two economies, the two sides agreed to further deepen economic, trade and
investment cooperation, while ensuring an open, fair, transparent, equitable
and non-discriminatory business environment in each other’s markets.

9. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing
the role and effectiveness of the Viet Nam–Slovakia Intergovernmental Committee
on Economic Cooperation, co-chaired by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of
Viet Nam and the Ministry of Economy of Slovakia, as a key mechanism for
identifying and promoting areas of cooperation and discussing sectors with
significant potential for further development. The two sides also agreed to
encourage the establishment of specialised subcommittees under the
Intergovernmental Committee to review and assess the implementation of existing
agreements and to propose measures to promote trade and investment, with a view
to contributing to a more balanced bilateral trade relationship and further
strengthening economic cooperation.

10. The two sides agreed to facilitate private investment in
each other’s markets by promoting relevant activities in both countries and
strengthening cooperation in areas of mutual interest, taking into account the
respective strengths and needs of both sides, including the automotive
industry, electronics, transport, energy, including nuclear energy, green
technologies, pharmaceuticals, mechanical engineering, specialised machinery,
science and technology, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence.

11. The two sides emphasised the importance of an open, fair
and transparent trade and investment environment based on international law and
rules, and of maximising cooperation opportunities within the broader framework
of Viet Nam–EU relations. They reiterated their support for the full and
effective implementation of the EU–Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and
acknowledged the importance of advancing the ratification of the EU–Viet Nam
Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), with a view to strengthening legal
certainty and fostering a predictable and transparent business environment. The
two sides also expressed their readiness to further strengthen economic
cooperation and promote stronger trade and business links with partners in the
EU and ASEAN, while promoting sustainable fishery trade in compliance with
international standards.

III. Strengthening defence and security cooperation

12. The two sides agreed to strengthen defence cooperation
through delegation exchanges at all levels, including in such areas as
personnel training, military education, United Nations peacekeeping operations,
unexploded ordnance clearance, and response to non-traditional security
challenges. The two sides agreed to explore possibilities for regular
consultations between their defence authorities and to strengthen defence
cooperation in areas of mutual interest, in accordance with the needs and
strengths of each side.

13. The two sides expressed their desire to expand
cooperation in cybersecurity, information security, and the prevention of and
fight against cybercrime. The two sides will also make efforts to complete
internal procedures related to the United Nations Convention against
Cybercrime, recognizing that its early entry into force would further
strengthen regional and international cooperation in this field.

14. The two sides would also enhance cooperation in
combating transnational organized crime and exchange criminal information
through INTERPOL and ASEANAPOL channels, in line with Agreement between the
Ministry of Public Security of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the
Ministry of Interior of the Slovak Republic on Cooperation in preventing and in
the fight against crime, signed on 06 March 2017.

IV. Promoting practical cooperation in science and
technology, education, culture, tourism, labour, agriculture, climate, and
healthcare

Science and technology

15. The two sides agreed to further deepen cooperation in
science, technology, and innovation, including digital transformation and
digital economy development. The two sides agreed to seek to mobilise resources
for the phased implementation of cooperation programmes, support research, innovation,
and technology transfer projects between higher education institutions,
research institutes, and businesses in areas of mutual strength and interest,
while encouraging the participation of technology enterprises, as well as
development and innovation funds. The two sides would also encourage the
sharing of knowledge, experience, and good practices for capacity building in
management, planning, and formulation of national policies on science,
technology, and innovation.

Education and training

16. The two sides agreed to support strengthening
cooperation in education and training, including higher education and
postgraduate education through partnerships between higher education
institutions, research institutes, and enterprises to provide training, conduct
research, and develop highly applicable digital products and solutions. The two
sides would step up exchanges of experts, academic staff and students,
establish joint projects, and explore opportunities for cooperation,
particularly in emerging scientific and technological fields such as
semiconductors, artificial intelligence, robotics, automation, quantum
technology, data science, computer science, smart technology, and fintech. The
two sides agreed to consider promoting scholarship schemes to support student
mobility.

17. The two sides will continue to cooperate in education
and training by providing scholarships, promoting student and lecturer exchange
programmes, and encouraging the participation of educational institutions in EU
programmes such as ERASMUS+, and enhancing the relevance of training
cooperation in line with evolving labour market needs.

Culture, sports, and tourism

18. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to promoting
deeper mutual understanding between the peoples of both countries and to
encouraging the establishment and expansion of networks to strengthen
connections and cooperation in culture and the arts. The two sides would work
with each other to promote cultural cooperation in various fields, including
strengthening direct contacts between cultural institutions and utilizing
existing cooperation mechanisms through the hosting of cultural and arts
exchanges, exhibitions, musical, cinematic, and sports events, especially on
the occasion of major celebrations such as National Days and milestone
anniversaries of diplomatic relations.

19. The two sides would bolster exchanges and connectivity
among partners in tourism and sports, share each other’s experiences and
strengths, promote tourism cooperation, and facilitate participation in annual
tourism events organized in each country, thereby promoting tourism exchanges
and making effective use of existing travel facilitation policies and
mechanisms, including visa facilitation measures introduced by Viet Nam for
citizens of the Slovak Republic, in accordance with applicable laws and
regulations.

20. The two sides will consider the early negotiation of a
possible Agreement between the two Governments on visa exemption for holders of
official passports, in accordance with their respective laws and regulations.

Labour

21. The two sides stand ready to explore more effective and
mutually beneficial cooperation in the field of labour mobility in accordance
with national laws, labour-market needs, and relevant social protection
standards. In this context, the two sides will focus on the more effective implementation
of the Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids
and Social Affairs of the Socialist Republic of Viet Nam and the Ministry of
Labour, Social Affairs and Family of the Slovak Republic, dated 27 October
2008, concerning cooperation in the field of labour mobility. Regarding the
social protection of mobile workers, the two sides stand ready to start
negotiations on an agreement on social security.

Agriculture

22. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in agriculture,
agricultural processing and water management with a view to facilitating trade
expansion, including through technical exchanges between plant protection and
quarantine authorities, the sharing of best practices in food safety and
sanitary and phytosanitary standards, cooperation in agricultural technologies
and innovation, exchanges of experience in water resource management, and the
strengthening of links between relevant institutions and business entities in
both countries.

Climate change and environmental affairs

23. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation with a
view to achieving net-zero emissions, including through the exchange of
information, experience and best practices on CO₂ reduction, carbon pricing and
other relevant policy instruments. The two sides would also cooperate in
diversifying energy sources, thereby enhancing energy security and supporting
the transition to sustainable and low-emission energy sources such as nuclear,
solar, hydro, geothermal and wind power. The governments, research institutes,
universities and private sector entities of both sides would be encouraged to
actively participate in these areas of cooperation.

The two sides agreed to step up cooperation and the exchange
of experience in the circular economy and waste management. The two sides would
also enhance collaboration in green technologies.

Healthcare

24. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the
development of human resources in the healthcare sector, with a view to
strengthening bilateral cooperation in the area of the healthcare workforce.
The two sides also agreed to promote collaboration through the exchange of
information, experience and best practices. They further expressed their desire
to promote cooperation in balneology, including the protection and use of
natural healing resources, expert exchanges, and rehabilitation and physical
medicine. The two sides also expressed readiness to cooperate in regulated
health tourism, particularly in services integrating tourism and healthcare,
including the use of traditional medicine.

Legal and judicial cooperation

25. The two sides exchanged views on the possibility of
signing a Memorandum of Understanding on legal and judicial cooperation between
the Ministry of Justice of Viet Nam and the Ministry of Justice of Slovakia, to
replace the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2014, in line with the
priorities of both sides in the new context.

Local cooperation and people-to-people exchanges

26. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation between
localities and promote people-to-people exchanges, recognising these as
important pillars of the social foundation of bilateral relations. The two
sides welcomed cooperation between Ho Chi Minh City and Košice on the basis of
the Memorandum of Understanding signed in 2016. They would also promote new
cooperation frameworks between localities and foster the conclusion of further
cooperation documents to unlock the potential of this Strategic Partnership.
The two sides would also support closer ties with the Vietnamese community in
Slovakia through cultural events and community organisations, while promoting
travel and people-to-people contacts among civil society and friendship
organisations of both countries, in accordance with their respective laws and
regulations.

27. Based on the contents of this Joint Statement, the
Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will coordinate with
relevant ministries and agencies on the development of a joint action plan to
implement the aforementioned objectives..