Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on February 27 hosted a reception for Portugal's Minister of State and Foreign Affairs, Mr. Paulo Rangel, who is on a visit to Vietnam.
The Prime Minister welcomed Minister Rangel's visit, emphasizing its significance as a milestone in concretizing the commitments of the two countries' high-level leaders and opening new avenues for collaboration.
Highlighting the historical ties of over 500 years between Vietnam and Portugal and Portugal's establishment of its embassy in Vietnam, the Prime Minister noted that these are favorable foundations for promoting comprehensive cooperation in the new phase.
The Prime Minister underscored the vast potential in maritime economic development and proposed that both sides strengthen cooperation in maritime affairs, port development, shipbuilding, and logistics, aligning with each country's maritime development strategy.
He praised Portugal's achievements as an active member of the European Union and affirmed Vietnam's desire to deepen the multifaceted friendship and cooperation.
Both parties agreed to enhance political trust, increase delegation exchanges, especially at high levels, and explore cooperation mechanisms to create a stable, long-term framework for bilateral relations.
Emphasizing the complementary nature of the two economies, the Prime Minister suggested making economy, trade, and investment the pillars of cooperation, leveraging each side's strengths to expand scale and improve the quality of collaboration.
Vietnam encourages Portuguese businesses to participate in offshore wind power, solar energy, and energy infrastructure projects based on the principles of "risk-sharing, harmonizing benefits," ensuring effectiveness and sustainability, the Prime Minister said.
The Prime Minister also proposed effectively utilizing the Vietnam-EU free trade agreements, urging EU countries to soon ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and expanding cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, healthcare, education, tourism, and exploring visa exemption possibilities for citizens of both countries.
Minister Paulo Rangel highly valued Vietnam's international standing and development orientation, affirming that Portugal considers Vietnam an important partner in Southeast Asia. He expressed readiness to promote high-level delegation exchanges, connect businesses, and aim for a bilateral trade turnover target of $1 billion, while expressing interest in Portuguese businesses participating in renewable energy and maritime economy projects in Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums, support multilateralism, and respect international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to maintain peace and stability.
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