They agreed to encourage and create favorable conditions for business communities of both countries to strengthen exchange through experience sharing and partner-matching, with a focus on areas where Vietnam has demand and Portugal holds strength such as shipbuilding, maritime transport, energy, and agriculture.
PM Pham Minh Chinh said he hopes the two sides will sign a bilateral cooperation agreement and further strengthen collaboration in various fields, including defense, security, culture, education, sports, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.
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Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (left) meets with his Portuguese counterpart Luis Montenegro in Nice, France, on June 9. |
He proposed that Portugal support the early ratification of the E.U. - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by the European Parliament and advocate for the European Commission’s removal of the "yellow card" warning on Vietnamese seafood exports.
Informing his counterpart that Vietnam plans to open an embassy in Portugal soon, PM Pham Minh Chinh asked for the Portuguese Government’s active support to facilitate this process.
For his part, PM Montenegro welcomed the announcement and said it was a timely and strategic decision. He affirmed that Portugal also intends to open an embassy in Vietnam in the near future and stands ready to assist Vietnam in establishing its diplomatic mission.
He emphasized that both embassies will serve as strong bridges for bilateral ties and facilitate cooperation across various fields. He also asked the Vietnamese Government to support Portugal’s efforts to open its representative office soon.
On this occasion, the two leaders discussed ways to promote the United Nations agency on sustainable development, marine biodiversity conservation, as well as international and regional issues of shared concern, including the East Sea.
Agreeing with PM Pham Minh Chinh’s views, PM Montenegro affirmed Portugal’s strong commitment to expanding its multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam. He also expressed Portugal’s desire for Vietnam's support for its candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and pledged Portugal’s support for Vietnam’s bid to join the U.N. Human Rights Council.
Source: VNA