At the meeting, PM Chinh extended greetings on the occasion of Ramadan and expressed appreciation and thanks for the Ambassador’s contributions to bilateral relations.

He voiced concern over developments in the Middle East, which have caused civilian casualties, damage to civilian infrastructure and serious impacts on global economic and energy markets. Drawing on Vietnam’s experience of war, he said the country understands the losses suffered by civilians and hopes that parties will find solutions to end the conflict at an early date.

The Government leader reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance that disputes and conflicts should be resolved through peaceful means, dialogue and negotiation, in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.

He said Vietnam stands ready to work with Qatar and contribute to efforts to promote peace and stability at both national and regional levels. Vietnam is also ready to cooperate with and support Qatar in ensuring food security.

He asked the Ambassador to work closely with the Vietnamese side to promptly implement agreements reached during the phone talks on March 9 between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Qatari Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

He stressed the need to ensure LNG supply to Vietnam under contracts when conditions stabilise, allow Vietnam to access Qatar’s oil and gas reserves outside the Gulf, coordinate in building regional oil and gas storage facilities in Vietnam, and move to elevate bilateral relations to a higher level.

Chinh also called for broader cooperation across political, economic, education and training, cultural, labour, tourism and people-to-people fields. Priority areas include coordination with Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries to accelerate the launch of negotiations on a Vietnam-GCC free trade agreement, thus opening markets for each other, encouraging Qatari enterprises to invest in Vietnam, particularly in international financial centres in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, and supporting Vietnam in developing its halal industry, including mutual recognition of halal certification.

He said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Vietnam National Industry-Energy Group and the Vietnamese Embassy in Qatar will serve as focal points on the Vietnamese side for coordination going forward.

Ambassador Khalid Ali Abdullah Abel conveyed greetings and best wishes from Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs to Vietnamese leaders and people. He expressed appreciation for PM Chinh’s views on developments in the Middle East and said the recent phone talks showed Vietnam’s strong support for Qatar.

Sharing Qatar’s views on the regional situation, including food security under emergency conditions, the Ambassador said he would continue to follow up on the areas of cooperation raised by the Prime Minister.

He added that both sides should look to further develop cooperation after the conflict ends, with a new mindset and corresponding development planning.

Vietnamese PM holds phone talks with Qatari counterpart

Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held phone talks with the Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani, on March 9 evening.