Romanian Prime Minister Ion - Marcel Ciolacu has emphasized that Vietnam is one of the most promising markets for Romania in the Asia-Pacific and more Romanian businesses are interested in expanding investment and business in the country.

He made the comments during talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Bucharest on January 22, following a welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese visitor earlier the same day.

Prime Minister Ciolacu suggested the two sides tap opportunities to boost bilateral cooperation in trade, logistics, and tourism, with Romania acting as Vietnam’s gateway to Europe, particularly as the former prepares to join the Schengen Area in March 2024.

For his part, Prime Minister Chinh said Vietnam is ready to act as a gateway for Romanian goods to access the domestic and ASEAN markets.

The two Prime Ministers affirmed that cooperation in economy, trade, and investment is an important pillar in bilateral relations and agreed to advance it to match political ties, further uphold existing cooperative mechanisms, and encourage businesses from both countries to fully and effectively implement the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA).

They pledged to strengthen effective cooperation in traditional areas such as education and training, science and technology, national defense and security, culture, sports, and tourism, labor, healthcare, and pharmaceuticals, while expanding cooperation in new fields such as information technology, innovation, digital transformation, the green transition, and the circular economy.