Hanoi, Sept. 15 -- The official visit to Vietnam by Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico from April 12-14, 2026 marked an important milestone as the two countries adopted a Joint Statement upgrading their relations to a strategic partnership. This was also the first visit to Vietnam by a senior European Union (EU) leader since Vietnam-EU relations were elevated to a comprehensive strategic partnership in January 2025. The new framework represents Vietnam's 12th strategic partnership. Building on nearly 80 years of traditional friendship since 1950, the upgraded ties open a new chapter aimed at making bilateral cooperation deeper, more substantive and more breakthrough-oriented, bringing practical benefits to people and businesses in both cou...