Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue. (Photo: VNA) Hanoi(VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue began his working visitto Portugal on January 26, where he met with President of the Portuguese NationalAssembly Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues.
At the meeting,the two officials spoke highly of the positive development of the partnershipbetween Vietnam and Portugal in politics-diplomacy, economy and trade. Two-waytrade rose by 15 percent to 391 billion USD in 2017.
They agreed thatthe bilateral cooperation has yet to fully tap their potential and that theyshould increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and bolster cooperationin sea-based economy, shipping, renewable energy and tourism, among others.
Vietnam always treasuresrelations with Portugal, said Hue, noting that some leading corporations inVietnam are accompanying him during the visit as an effort to enhance economicand trade ties with Portugal.
He urgedPortugal, as a EU member, to take a more active role in bridging ASEAN and theEU and to support the early signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement(EVFTA).
Rodrigues, forhis part, recalled his memories 50 years ago when he, at the age of 18, flockedto streets to take part in anti-war demonstrations in support of Vietnam.
He highlyevaluated Vietnam’s role in the international arena and voiced his support formultilateral trade and the signing of EVFTA.
Hue later had ameeting with Portuguese Minister of Labour, Solidarity and Social Security JoséAntónio Vieira Da Silva in which the two sides agreed that social welfare playsan essential role in ensuring stable socio-economic development.
The Portugueseministry promised to assist Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, War Invalid andSocial Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs and Vietnam Social Security inreforming social security and wage policies.-VNA
VNA
