Poland regards Vietnam as most important partner in SE Asia: diplomat

Joanna Skoczek, head of the Polish diplomatic mission in Vietnam, made the remarks at a reception held in Ho Chi Minh City by the Polish Embassy on Saturday evening to celebrate the 235th anniversary of Poland’s May 3 Constitution Day.

Attendees included Pham Dut Diem, director of the city’s Department of Foreign Affairs, representatives from both countries, and members of the Vietnamese community in Poland.

Speaking at the event, Skoczek said the Constitution of May 3, 1791 marked an important milestone in Polish history and is regarded as the world’s second modern constitution, adopted during a period of political transformation in 18th-century Europe.

According to Skoczek, although the constitution remained in force for less than four years and failed to prevent foreign occupation and the dissolution of the state, it remains a symbol of Poland’s enduring aspirations for independence, freedom, and sovereignty.

Last year, Poland’s GDP surpassed US$1 trillion, placing it among the world’s 20 largest economies, while average salaries rose sharply over the past two decades and unemployment dropped to three percent, the diplomat noted.

Skoczek said Poland sought to further strengthen ties with its European, transatlantic, and Asian partners.

Speaking about relations with Vietnam, she described the country as Poland’s most important and promising partner in Southeast Asia.

She said bilateral cooperation had continued to expand in areas such as trade, education, culture, and defense.

The diplomat stressed that Poland highly valued more than 75 years of friendship and mutual support between the two countries, adding that serving in Vietnam to promote bilateral and multilateral relations was ‘an honor and a privilege’ for her.

She said Poland hoped to further expand cooperation with Vietnam in multiple areas and strengthen engagement with Southeast Asia.

Skoczek underscored that Poland’s presence in Ho Chi Minh City reflected its long-term commitment to bilateral ties, particularly in business, academia, and people-to-people exchanges.

She also expressed gratitude to the Polish community living and working in Vietnam, especially in Ho Chi Minh City.

The community not only contributes to bilateral relations but also represents Poland every day to the Vietnamese people, business partners, and international friends, she said.

Addressing the reception, Diem said the May 3 Constitution was the first constitution in Europe and the second in the world, symbolizing Poland’s spirit of patriotism and aspirations for peace, independence, freedom, and progress.

He praised Poland’s recent achievements, particularly its emergence as one of the world’s 20 largest economies and its advances in digital transformation, innovation, and industrial modernization.

Diem stressed that Vietnam-Poland relations have been built on sincerity and trust for more than seven decades.

Vietnam has always appreciated Poland’s support during the country’s struggle for independence and post-war reconstruction, he added.

Diem noted that Poland is currently Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Central and Eastern Europe, while Vietnam is Poland’s leading trading partner in Southeast Asia.

He also highlighted the potential for expanding bilateral trade and investment, particularly in green industries and high technology.

Diem recalled Poland’s support for Ho Chi Minh City during the COVID-19 pandemic, when the Polish government provided nearly $4 million worth of medical equipment, including ventilators, infusion and syringe pumps, heart monitors, personal protective equipment, and other essential supplies

He said the city hoped to deepen cooperation with Polish partners in trade, investment, education and training, healthcare, high technology, digital and green transformation, culture, and tourism.