PM Pham Minh Chinh (second, right) at the meeting with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez Pérez-Castejón (second, left). (Photo: VNA) Themeeting took place at a time when the two countries are celebrating the 45thfounding anniversary of diplomatic relations (1977-2022).
Chinhaffirmed that Spain is one of the important and potential partners of Vietnamin the European Union (EU).
In orderto deepen the Vietnam-Spain strategic partnership, he suggested competentagencies of the two nations work together closely and take full advantage ofthe EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), striving to lift two-way trade to5 billion USD within the next 2-3 years; speed up the progress of development cooperationprojects; and enhance the efficiency of cooperation in the fields ofscience-technology, response to climate change, national defence, and theenvironment.
Chinhalso proposed Spain urge the European Commission (EC) to soon remove its IUU “yellowcard” warning against Vietnamese aquatic products.
PedroSánchez agreed with Chinh’s proposals and expressed hisimpression for Vietnam’s achievements in the reform process and internationalintegration.
Hepledged that Spain, in its capacity as rotating President of the EU in thesecond half of 2023, will prompt EU member states to ratify the EU-VietnamInvestment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
TheSpanish leader spoke highly of Vietnam’s role and position in the region andthe world, and invited Vietnam to join the International Drought ResilienceAlliance initiated by Spain and Senegal with the participation of more than 30countries.
Hesuggested the two nations continue to step up bilateral and multilateral cooperationin digital transformation and renewable energy.
Chinhtook this occasion to invite Pedro Sánchez to visit Vietnam in 2023, while the Spanishleader invited the Vietnamese PM to visit Spain at a appropriate time. The two leadersaccepted the invitations with pleasure and the visits would be arranged via thediplomatic channel./.
VNA
