Hanoi (VNA) – Through Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez’s official visit to Vietnam from April 8-10, Spain looks to demonstrate its political will to fully tap the potential of relations with the Southeast Asian nation, Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam Carmen Cano De Lasala has stated.
Speaking to the Vietnam News Agency about the significance of the trip, Carmen stressed that as the first official visit by a Spanish PM to Vietnam, it is expected to help strengthen and open a new chapter in bilateral ties.
According to the diplomat, Spain and Vietnam are close partners with complementary economies, and both countries are demonstrating strong development amid a volatile international landscape.
She also mentioned Spain’s key priorities for advancing the bilateral Strategic Partnership, noting that the visit will offer a special opportunity to discuss the contributions that Spanish businesses can make to Vietnam’s economic development.
Spain was the first European Union member state to establish a strategic partnership with Vietnam in 2009 and also among the first countries to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), she said. These actions clearly show the European nation’s strong commitment to close cooperation with Vietnam to unlock the full potential of the bilateral relations, and making every effort to elevate the relationship to a new height.
She said that during the Spanish leader’s trip, agreements will be signed in areas of investment, agriculture, political consultation, culture and sports, as well as cooperation between the diplomatic academies of the two countries.
Regarding how the two nations can cooperate to address challenges and seize new development opportunities amid the current geopolitical uncertainties, Carmen stated that trustworthy partners have become more important than ever, and both Spain and Vietnam understand the value of peace and freedom, therefore the two sides share a strong commitment to multilateralism and a rules-based international order.
Spain wishes to work closely with Vietnam to promote the implementation of the 2030 Agenda and the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), she stressed.
She revealed that Spain will host the UN conference on financing for development in June this year, which will be an important chance for both countries to exchange views and coordinate on global initiatives.
She greatly anticipated the prospect of developing relations between the two nations in the coming period, expressing her belief that this trip will open a new chapter in the bilateral relationship.
The diplomat highlighted the growing people-to-people exchanges between the two countries. She noted that over the years, Vietnam and Spain have established a solid diplomatic relationship, along with positive growth in trade and investment, and Vietnam is increasingly becoming a favoured destination for Spanish tourists./.
