Greece and Vietnam reaffirmed their commitment to deepening cooperation in the agricultural sector, with a strong emphasis on enhancing bilateral trade, in a recent meeting held in Athens. The talks took place between Vietnam’s newly appointed Ambassador to Greece, Pham Thi Thu Huong, and Greece’s Deputy Minister of Rural Development and Food, Dionysis Stamenitis.
Central to the discussions was the potential to expand imports and exports between the two nations. Both sides expressed a mutual interest in aligning their priorities and identifying new avenues for joint activity that would benefit their agricultural industries.
A key topic was the exploration of kiwi exports from Greece to Vietnam. The possibility of inviting a delegation of Vietnamese phytosanitary experts to Greece was raised. Their visit would allow them to observe the full production chain— from orchard to packing and export facilities— with the aim of completing the necessary inspections and ensuring compliance with Vietnam’s phytosanitary regulations. This would pave the way for the official launch of kiwi exports to the Vietnamese market.
Also on the table was Greece’s interest in exporting poultry to Vietnam. The parties discussed initiating the necessary procedures and considered the potential for a parallel visit by Vietnamese experts on poultry standards, possibly during the same period as the phytosanitary mission.
The meeting also addressed broader cooperation issues, including fostering stronger connections between agrifood businesses, simplifying bureaucratic procedures to overcome existing trade barriers, and continuing collaboration between Vietnam’s Department of Animal Health and relevant Greek authorities in the honey sector. An upcoming visit by a Vietnamese delegation was proposed as the next step.
Additionally, both sides explored opportunities for collaboration in areas concerning agricultural workforce development, as well as the exchange of technical knowledge and best practices. Strengthening information sharing and institutional ties was highlighted as a priority for ensuring sustainable, long-term cooperation.
