HANOI, Vietnam (AP) — On Wednesday, Estonia’s Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna met with Vietnamese Prime Minister Le Minh Hung to discuss the potential for deepening cooperation between Estonia and Vietnam in various sectors, specifically focusing on trade, technology, and digital transformation.
The relationship between Vietnam and Estonia has intensified in recent years, highlighted by the signing of agreements on digital cooperation set for implementation in 2025. Despite Estonia’s GDP accounting for only 0.2% of the total European Union economy, the country is renowned for its significant advancements in digital expertise and innovative e-governance.
Tsahkna emphasized that Estonia is eager to share its digital expertise with Vietnam, particularly as the Southeast Asian nation aims to implement reforms to achieve high-income status by 2045. He remarked that collaboration in the digitalization of services could assist Vietnam in reducing bureaucratic processes, enhancing transparency, and lowering operational costs for the government.
“It is much quicker for citizens to be part of public sector services,” Tsahkna communicated to The Associated Press in Hanoi, and he also mentioned that Vietnam has suggested establishing an education cooperation agreement. Prime Minister Hung took the opportunity to request Estonia's support in persuading the European Union to ratify an Investment Protection Agreement as well as advocating for the removal of the European Commission’s “yellow card” sanction that affects imports of Vietnamese seafood due to issues related to illegal fishing.
During the discussions, Tsahkna noted Estonia’s potential to act as a gateway for Vietnamese businesses aspiring to enter the European market. Conversely, he highlighted that Vietnam offers Estonia a substantial market and a strategic foothold within the Southeast Asian region. “For us, Vietnam is one of the priority countries in the region,” Tsahkna stated, reflecting Estonia’s keen interest in strengthening ties with Vietnam.
Additionally, Tsahkna addressed broader geopolitical concerns, indicating that his meetings in Vietnam were also an avenue to express Europe’s perception of Russia as an “existential threat.” Vietnam, which has maintained diplomatic relations with Moscow since 1950, has adopted a neutral approach towards the war in Ukraine, advocating for peace while refraining from direct criticisms of Russia.
Tsahkna further explained that Estonia’s engagement with Vietnam and the Southeast Asian region is driven by both geopolitical pressures and economic opportunities. He noted the influence of U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks regarding European defense spending, alongside ongoing tariff tensions, motivating European nations to enhance their focus on global partnerships.
