The Vietnamese PM and his entourage were welcomed at Lennart Meri Tallinn Airport by Estonian Ambassador to China and concurrently accredited to Vietnam Hannes Hanso, and Deputy Director of Protocol of Estonia’s State Protocol Department Sven Tolp.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Finland concurrently accredited to Estonia Pham Thi Thanh Binh, and staff from the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland were also on hand.

This is the first-ever visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Estonia after the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. The visit aims to enhance bilateral friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, while reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing and seeking to strengthen relations with European countries, including Estonia.

During the visit, Chinh is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with Estonia’s senior leaders, attend a Vietnam - Estonia business forum, and visit various economic, social, and cultural institutions.

Over the past 33 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the two countries have conducted several high-level exchanges and set up a mechanism for political consultation at the deputy ministerial and departmental levels. Estonia has repeatedly affirmed that Vietnam is a priority partner in Southeast Asia and has expressed a desire to further enhance cooperation.

The two countries have also coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums.

Two-way trade relations between the two countries remains modest, reaching US$73.8 million in 2024. Estonia currently has five valid direct investment projects in Vietnam with a total registered capital of US$280,000.

Estonia has played an active role in supporting Vietnam’s signing of the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and was among the first EU member states to ratify the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

It also trained numerous Vietnamese students and researchers during the Soviet era and has continued educational cooperation with several Vietnamese universities in recent years.

Estonia is the first stop on Chinh’s nine-day working trip to Europe that will also take him to France and Sweden later.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh begins Europe trip

VOV.VN - A high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh departed from Hanoi early on June 5 to begin a nine-day working trip to three European countries – France, Estonia, and Sweden.