VN treasures cooperative ties with Portugal

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (R) and President of the Portuguese National Assembly Eduardo Ferro Rodrigues - Photo: VGP

At the meeting, the officials spoke highly of the positive development of the partnership between Viet Nam and Portugal in politics-diplomacy, economy and trade. The two-way trade turnover increased by 15% to US$391 billion in 2017.

They agreed that the bilateral co-operation has yet to fully tap their potential and that they should increase the exchange of delegations at all levels and bolster cooperation in sea-based economy, shipping, renewable energy and tourism, among others.

Viet Nam always treasures relations with Portugal, said Hue, noting that executives of some leading corporations in Viet Nam are accompanying him during the visit in an effort to enhance economic and trade ties with Portugal.

He urged Portugal, as a EU member, to take a more active role in bridging ASEAN and the EU, and to support the early signing of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

In reply, President Rodrigues recalled his memories 50 years ago when he, at the age of 18, flocked to streets to take part in anti-war demonstrations in support of Viet Nam.

He highly evaluated Viet Nam’s role in the international arena and voiced his support for multilateral trade and the signing of EVFTA.

At the meeting with Portuguese Minister of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security José António Vieira Da Silva, Deputy PM Hue congratulated Portugal on economic growth, stable living standards, labor market reform, and low unemployment rate. 

Both sides reached a consensus that the Portuguese Ministry of Labor, Solidarity, and Social Security would work with relevant Vietnamese agencies like the Ministry of Labor, Invalids, and Social Affairs, the Ministry of Home Affairs, the Viet Nam Social Security to research and reform policies on social security and wages./.  

By Khanh Phuong