Hanoi (VNA) – Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez expressed profound insights and evaluations regarding Vietnam's international standing during his historic visit to Hanoi from April 8-10, the first visit to Vietnam by a Spanish prime minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977.
Spain's news agency Europa Press quoted PM Sánchez as stating that Vietnam is a rising power in Asia, playing an increasingly significant role on the international stage. Fifty years after the liberation of the South and the unification of the country, Vietnam has achieved stable and robust economic growth, averaging about 6% per year over the past two decades. This is an impressive figure, according to the Spanish leader.
Europa Press reported that during a joint press conference with PM Pham Minh Chinh, PM Sánchez affirmed Spain and the European Union (EU)'s commitment to pursuing an international trade system based on rules, supporting trade liberalisation and economic openness. He noted that Spain is developing a new foreign policy strategy to strengthen relations with dynamic and important countries like Vietnam.
The visit has yielded tangible results, with both sides signing a series of important documents that elevate bilateral relations to new heights. Accompanying agreements cover various areas including food security, political consultation, and diplomacy, outlining a framework for multifaceted cooperation in the coming decade.
Particularly, the new financial protocol for infrastructure development is expected to open opportunities for Spanish businesses to participate in major projects in Vietnam.
Looking further ahead, Madrid is formulating a strategy focused on Southeast Asia, where Vietnam is identified as a key partner in the EU's foreign policy in the Indo-Pacific region. The Spanish PM expressed his desire to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in multilateral forums and affirmed that Vietnam's strong economic growth serves as a positive example for the international community in the race towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)./.
