Vietnam attaches great importance to its relations with Portugal

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam made the statement while receiving Ambassador Joaquim Alberto De Sousa Moreira De Lemos, who presented his credentials on July 6.

He welcomed the positive momentum in bilateral ties, particularly the steady growth in trade, expanding people-to-people exchanges and increasingly close cooperation between localities.

Recalling the 510-year history of contacts between the two countries, he called for increased exchanges at all levels, especially high-level visits, and the effective implementation of the Political Consultation mechanism at the deputy foreign minister level, as well as the outcomes of the recent visit to Vietnam by Portuguese diplomats.

He also welcomed the two sides' agreement in principle to upgrade bilateral relations to a higher level and asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to Portuguese President Antonio Jose Seguro to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time.

On economic cooperation, the leader called for more effective implementation of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), with the goal of increasing two-way trade to US$1 billion. He also urged Portugal to encourage the remaining EU member states to ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), support the European Commission's early removal of the "yellow card" on Vietnamese seafood, and promote cooperation in maritime economy, shipping, digital technology, pharmaceuticals and energy.

The Vietnamese leader also proposed expanding cooperation in culture, sports, education, people-to-people exchanges and partnerships between localities. He called on Portugal to continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, work and contribute to the host country while serving as a bridge of friendship between the two nations.

The Party and State leader further expressed his hope that Portugal would continue supporting stronger cooperation between Vietnam and both the Community of Portuguese Language Countries (CPLP) and the European Union. He also called for continued support for the rule of law at sea, ASEAN's and Vietnam's principled position on the East Sea, the maintenance of peace, stability, security and freedom of navigation, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

For his part, Ambassador De Lemos said he was honoured to become Portugal's first resident ambassador to Vietnam and praised Vietnam's impressive socio-economic achievements and growing international role.

He pledged to work to expand cooperation in economy, trade, investment, high technology, transport and renewable energy, alongside exploring new areas of collaboration between the two countries.

The ambassador thanked Vietnam for supporting Portugal's successful bid for a non-permanent seat on the United Nations Security Council and expressed his hope that the two countries would continue coordinating closely at multilateral forums.

He also said he was honoured to convey President Seguro's appreciation for Party General Secretary and State President To Lam's invitation and reaffirmed his commitment to promoting exchanges at all levels, particularly high-level visits, to bring bilateral relations to a deeper and more effective stage of development.

Portugal inaugurates embassy in Vietnam

The Embassy of the Portuguese Republic in Vietnam was officially inaugurated at BRG Tower, No. 198 Tran Quang Khai street, Hanoi, on February 27, marking a significant milestone in the long-standing friendship between the two countries.