Kuwait City (VNA) – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a meeting with Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah at Bayan Palace, Kuwait City on November 17, during which the host expressed his wish that two sides broaden cooperation across trade, investment, food security, and science and technology, while enhancing coordination on international issues.
Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah warmly welcomed PM Chinh, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation on their official visit to Kuwait, saying that the trip marks a new milestone in bilateral relations and reaffirms Vietnam’s strategic importance in Kuwait’s foreign policy.
The Emir offered his congratulations to Vietnam on the occasion of major national anniversaries, including the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, and National Day (September 2), as well as its exceptional progress in socio-economic development.
He highly valued the development of bilateral ties over the past 49 years, and wished for meaningful activities to mark the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations next year. He expressed his desire to deepen bilateral cooperation, noting that Kuwait views Vietnam’s interests as its own.
Affirming that Vietnam is a sincere, trustworthy friend, the Emir said he cares for Vietnam and its people as he does for Kuwait, and will never forget the support Vietnam has extended to his nation. He also expressed his deep sympathy for the losses suffered by the Vietnamese people during recent storms and natural disasters.
As the current Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Emir underlined Kuwait’s strong interest in strengthening ties between the GCC and Vietnam as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), describing Vietnam as a strategic gateway for expanding cooperation with the region.
For his part, PM Chinh expressed his pleasure at paying an official visit to Kuwait – the first Gulf nation to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam.
He recalled key milestones in bilateral cooperation, including mutual support at multilateral forums; Kuwait’s status as the largest ODA provider to Vietnam among Gulf states; cooperation on the Nghi Son refinery and petrochemical project; and Kuwait’s timely donation of 600,000 doses of COVID-19 vaccines during Vietnam’s most difficult period of the pandemic.
Affirming both countries' determination to further deepen their friendship and open up a new phase of dynamic, comprehensive, and effective cooperation toward the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – Kuwait diplomatic relations (1976–2026), the two leaders agreed to orient bilateral ties toward a strategic level, thereby meeting the aspirations and interests of the peoples of both nations.
PM Chinh proposed that the Emir of Kuwait continue to support the bilateral relationship so that it develops in line with new requirements and makes breakthroughs.
He also proposed nine priority areas for cooperation for the time ahead, including strengthening political trust between the two countries and actively holding high-level mutual visits; boosting the energy cooperation pillar and expanding oil and gas collaboration; and creating breakthroughs in investment relations, with the PM expressing his hope that the Emir will direct the Kuwait Investment Authority to increase investment in Vietnam, particularly in the Ho Chi Minh City-based International Financial Centre project.
The Vietnamese PM called for strongly promoting trade, proposing his host advocate the early negotiation and signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC). He suggested expediting negotiations on a food security assurance agreement and the projects helping develop a Halal ecosystem in Vietnam.
Cooperation in defence and security should be advanced, including the joint development of dual-use defence equipment such as UAVs, participation in each other’s defence exhibitions, collaboration in addressing non-traditional security challenges, and cybersecurity ties. In addition, the two sides should enhance cooperation in science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation across sectors while expanding connections in tourism, people-to-people exchanges, labour, culture, sports, and education – training, according to the PM.
He also affirmed that with its potential and strengths, Vietnam stands ready to work with Kuwait to contribute to common efforts to promote peace and reconstruction in the Middle East.
The two leaders expressed support for strengthening political trust and reinforcing coordination and consultation on regional and international issues for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
On this occasion, PM Chinh conveyed the invitations from Party General Secretary To Lam and State President Luong Cuong for the Emir of Kuwait to pay a visit to Vietnam. The Emir gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his wish to visit Vietnam soon./.
