Bringing Vietnam-Spain relations to increasingly substantial development

President Luong Cuong believes that the visit of the Spanish Prime Minister will open a new page, bringing the Vietnam-Spain strategic partnership towards the future to increasingly substantial development.

President Luong Cuong receives Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez. (Photo: Lam Khanh/VNA)

On April 9, at the Presidential Palace, President Luong Cuong received Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez during his official visit to Vietnam from April 8-10.

Welcoming Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and the high-ranking Spanish delegation on an official visit to Vietnam, the President highly appreciated the significance of the first visit by the head of the Spanish Government since the two countries established diplomatic relations; believing that the visit will open a new page, bringing the "Strategic Partnership towards the Future" between Vietnam and Spain to increasingly develop substantially and effectively, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people of the two countries, for peace and cooperation in the region and the world.

President Luong Cuong affirmed that the State and people of Vietnam always remember the valuable support that the Spanish people have given Vietnam in the cause of Renovation and reconstruction after the war, as well as in the cause of national development today.

President Luong Cuong with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez and delegates. Photo: Lam Khanh – VNA

The Spanish Prime Minister expressed his gratitude for the warm welcome of President Luong Cuong, the leaders of the Party, State and people of Vietnam; affirmed that Vietnam is one of Spain's top priority partners in Southeast Asia; and agreed to upgrade the relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

On this occasion, the Spanish Prime Minister sent greetings from the King of Spain to President Luong Cuong.

On behalf of the Government and people of Spain, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez congratulated Vietnam on the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification Day; expressed his impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements in recent years; and wished to continue accompanying Vietnam in the upcoming development journey, especially in areas where Spain has a lot of experience and strengths such as transport infrastructure, renewable energy, tourism, etc.

In order to promote the potential and strengths of the two countries, to deepen and deepen the Vietnam-Spain relationship, the two sides agreed to increase high-level visits and contacts; promote cooperation in defense and security, especially in training Vietnamese officers and cadres, defense industry, United Nations peacekeeping, overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam, cyber security, combating terrorism, transnational crime, and illegal migration.

The two leaders agreed to continue to effectively implement and take advantage of the great opportunities of the Vietnam-European Union Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); further deepen cooperation in the fields of defense-security, culture, sports and tourism, local cooperation, people-to-people exchange, education and training, especially training high-quality human resources in areas such as tourism, semiconductor industry, science and technology, etc.

President Luong Cuong thanked the Spanish Prime Minister for urging the remaining EU countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA); as well as the EC to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam.

The Spanish Prime Minister suggested that Vietnam consider measures to achieve the goal of balancing trade between Vietnam and the EU; affirmed that he would continue to pay attention to and create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Spain, an important bridge to promote friendly cooperation between the two countries.

In the context of the current complicated and volatile world situation, affecting peace and development in all countries, the two leaders emphasized solidarity, dialogue, mutually beneficial cooperation, promoting multilateralism, free trade, joining hands to respond to global challenges; continuing to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums and international organizations, for the benefit of the people of the two countries and contributing to the development of the two regions.

President Luong Cuong welcomed Spain's desire to act as a bridge to develop ASEAN-EU relations; affirmed that Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to strengthen Spain-ASEAN relations.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom, safety, and maritime and aviation security in the region, and resolving disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), for the common interests of all countries.

On this occasion, President Luong Cuong invited the King of Spain to visit Vietnam soon./.

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