Portugal attaches importance to developing relations with Vietnam
VOV.VN - Portugal expects to strengthen bilateral cooperation in various areas, especially economy, with Vietnam, a Southeast Asian nation that holds an important position in Portugal’s foreign policy, said Augusto Santos Silva, speaker of the Portuguese parliament.
Receiving Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man in Lisbon on November 14, Silva said Vietnam is a dynamic economy in Asia, and through Vietnam, Portugal can expand relations with other countries in Asia.
He proposed that the two sides promote people-to-people exchanges, with priority given to opening diplomatic representative agencies in each country.
Man for his part affirmed that Vietnam wishes to develop relations with the European Union and its members, including Portugal.
He said the two countries have maintained regular visit exchanges and meetings at multilateral forums, including the Portugal visits by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan (October 2021), and Minister of Public Security To Lam (July 2023), and the Vietnam visit in January 2023 by Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho.
In December 2022, the Prime Minister of Vietnam and the Prime Minister of Portugal also had a meeting on the sidelines of a summit in Belgium marking 45 years of ASEAN - EU relations.
With regard to economic and trade cooperation, Man proposed that the two sides maximize opportunities from the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to improve trade turnover, striving to raise two-way trade turnover to US$1 billion a year in the near future.
He also asked Portugal to help encourage the remaining 10 EU countries to soon ratify the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) to facilitate Portuguese investors’ operation in Vietnam.
Man pointed out that investment cooperation between Vietnam and Portugal is yet to match the two countries potential. He then suggested that the two sides continue to enhance cooperation in areas where Portugal has strengths and Vietnam has needs, such as marine economy, maritime, renewable energy, tourism, information technology, and labour.
Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge between Portuguese businesses and the Southeast Asian market, he assured his host.
He suggested that Portugal support and urge the European Commission to soon remove the illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing warnings against Vietnamese seafood, taking into account the country’s efforts in fully and strictly implementing EC recommendations on sustainable fisheries development.
During the meeting, Man also stressed the need for the two countries’ legislative bodies to increase the exchange of delegations, establish Parliamentary Friendship Groups, and further support each other at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums.
The same day, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam Tran Thanh Man had a meeting with Duarte Pacheco, former president of the Inter-Parliamentary Union.
Man expressed his belief that Pacheco, as an MP of the Portuguese parliament, would continue to make important contributions to promoting diplomacy of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in general and with Vietnam in particular.
Pacheco highly appreciated the potential for cooperation between the two countries, saying that the two sides need to send business delegations directly to meet and seek investment opportunities. He voiced his support for Vietnam if the Southeast Asian country plans to host the World Conference of Speakers of Parliament in future.
