In a bid to bolster their diplomatic and economic ties, Vietnamese Vice President Võ Thị Ánh Xuân and Georgian Prime Minister Irakli Kobakhidze convened in Tbilisi on October 12. The discussions centered on enhancing cooperation in various sectors, including trade, investment, tourism, education, and infrastructure.
Prime Minister Kobakhidze emphasized Georgia’s commitment to deepening its relationship with Vietnam, noting the significant growth in economic exchanges. Over the last five years, bilateral trade has surged sixfold, and the number of Vietnamese tourists visiting Georgia increased by 41% in the first half of 2026. The talks also touched on the potential for direct flights to improve connectivity between the two nations.
Vice President Xuân advocated for increased diplomatic interactions and better market access for Vietnamese goods. She identified key areas for collaboration, such as agriculture, food processing, infrastructure, innovation, tourism, and education, while also encouraging enhanced cultural and people-to-people exchanges.
The leaders agreed to expand cooperation in defense and security and to coordinate their efforts in international organizations like the United Nations. They also explored strengthening ties between Vietnam, Georgia, and ASEAN member states. The visit saw the signing of cooperation memorandums between the countries’ foreign ministries and agricultural and environmental authorities.
Both sides expressed optimism about the future of their bilateral relations and underscored the importance of progressing on agreements related to investment protection, double taxation avoidance, and visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders. They also looked forward to preparing activities to celebrate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.