THE SOCIALIST REPUBLIC OF VIET NAM
Government News
Prime Minister meets Spanish, Lao, Cambodian counterparts in Brussels
VGP - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called on Vietnamese and Spanish relevant agencies to make the best use of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to raise the bilateral trade value to US$5 billion in the next 2-3 years.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez Castejón, Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022 - Photo: VGP
The Vietnamese Government chief made the above statement on Wednesday during his meeting with Spanish counterpart Pedro Sánchez Castejón on the sidelines of the ASEAN-EU Commemorative Summit held in Brussels, Belgium.
The meeting took place on the occasion of the 45th founding anniversary of Viet Nam-Spain diplomatic ties.
Pham called on both sides to speed up the implementation of cooperation projects amd enhance collaboration in science and technology, climate change adaption, defense and environment.
He expected Spain would raise its voice for the EU to soon remove the "yellow card" on Viet Nam's seafood exports.
For his part, Pedro Sánchez Castejón pledged to urge other EU Member States to approve the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) as Spain takes over the rotating presidency of the EU in the second half of 2023.
He spoke highly of the role and status of Viet Nam in the region and the world, inviting Viet Nam to attend the International Drought Resilience Alliance initiated by Spain and Senegal.
The Spanish Prime MinisterM vowed to strengthen cooperation at bilateral and multilateral forums in fields of digital transformation and renewable energy.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (C) has a working session with Lao PM Phankham Viphavanh (L) and Cambodian PM Samdech Techo Hun Sen, Brussels, Belgium, December 14, 2022 - Photo: VGP
The same day, Pham had a working session with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. This is the first meeting between the three Prime Ministers since the COVID-19 pandemic is put under control.
They discussed ways to enhance collaboration between the three nations in fostering socio-economic development and handling issues of common concerns.
They pledged to promote the building of an independent and self-reliant economy associated with comprehensive international integration, and effectively boost linkages between the three economies.
The leaders voiced their support for maintaining regular bilateral and tripartite contacts, including coordination in soon organizing the 12th Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam (CLV) Development Triangle Summit in Cambodia and enhancing the implementation of an action plan on connecting the CLV economies by 2030.
The Vietnamese and Lao Prime Ministers congratulated Cambodia on successfully undertaking the ASEAN Chairmanship 2022.
Pham appreciated the contribution and role of Laos as a Country Coordinator for ASEAN-Australia Dialogue Relations, asserting that Viet Nam will support Laos in its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2024.
The leaders reiterated that the three countries will continue close coordination in addressing international and regional issues, making contribution to maintaining and consolidating solidarity, unity and the centrality of ASEAN.