Vietnam and Brazil promote all-round cooperation

Both sides maintained that the relations between Vietnam and Brazil are developing positively and substantively, especially in politics, diplomacy, defense – security, economy, trade, agriculture, science - technology, culture, and education.

They noted with satisfaction the growing trade exchanges between the two countries, with two-way trade turnover reaching nearly US$6.8 billion last year nearly US$3.3 billion in the first six months of 2023, making Brazil Vietnam’s number one and potential trading partner in Latin America.

The two sides agreed to increase high-level visits, well organize celebrations of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2024, effectively deploy existing cooperation mechanisms, and soon hold the third meeting of the Vietnam-Brazil Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, in an effort to raise two-way trade value to US$10 billion by 2025 and US$15 billion by 2030.

They agreed to continue promoting the start of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the South Common Market (MERCOSUR), stressing the agreement, after being signed and taking effect, would help strengthen bilateral trade and investment cooperation, as well as inter-regional economic links.

PM Pham Minh Chinh proposed that Brazil increase the import of Vietnamese products and soon recognize Vietnam’s market economy status.

The two sides also agreed to speed up the signing of an agreement on double tax avoidance, and to strengthen cooperation in the fields of defense and security towards signing and implementing related agreements.

The two sides highly appreciated the important documents on diplomacy, education - training, national defense, agriculture, and culture cooperation signed during the visit. They also consented to ramp up cooperation in the fields of transnational crime prevention, sports, innovation, digital transformation, green development, renewable energy, climate change response, biofuel, conservation of tropical forest ecosystems and biodiversity, along with protection of the ecosystem of the Mekong and Amazon Rivers.

Exchanging views on multilateral and regional cooperation, the two sides highly appreciated the two countries’ regular coordination, cooperation and support for each other at international organizations and multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Alignment Movement, the South-South Cooperation, and the Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

The Vietnamese side congratulated Brazil on becoming a dialogue partner of ASEAN, and affirmed it is ready to support Brazil in cooperation with ASEAN, and promote ASEAN-South America relations to develop in accordance with the cooperation potential and strengths of each side.

The two sides maintained that international disagreements and disputes between relevant parties should be resolved by peaceful means, without the use of force or threat of force, and respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.

The Brazilian side voiced its support for peacefully resolving disputes in the East Sea on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the waters.

After the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lula da Silva approved a joint communiqué on the visit, and witnessed the signing of a number of cooperation documents between the two countries. They also held a joint press conference to make a brief on the results of their talks.