Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez is about to officially visit Vietnam

Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez.

A statement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that at the invitation of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez will pay an official visit to Vietnam from April 8-10.

Vietnam and Spain established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1977. The two countries established a Strategic Partnership towards the future in December 2009, becoming Vietnam's first Strategic Partner in the EU.

Over the past time, the Vietnam - Spain relationship has continued to develop well through delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels. The two countries have actively cooperated and supported each other in multilateral mechanisms, especially within the framework of the United Nations and ASEAN - EU.

Spain is Vietnam's 5th largest trading partner in the EU and Vietnam is Spain's largest trading partner in ASEAN. During the 2019-2024 period, bilateral trade turnover maintained a good growth rate, at an average of 8.7% per year.

Bilateral trade turnover in 2024 will reach 4.72 billion USD (the highest level ever), up 20% compared to 2023. The import-export structure between Vietnam and Spain is complementary, not directly competitive.

Spain ratified the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in January 2022.

Spain has committed to providing Vietnam with ODA loans and non-refundable aid worth over 1 billion USD through mainly 5 financial cooperation programs in a number of areas such as infrastructure, sustainable development, promoting gender equality, health, science and technology. The two sides are completing procedures to sign the Framework Protocol on Financial Cooperation 6 with a preferential credit worth 305 million euros.

Vietnam currently unilaterally exempts visas for Spanish citizens for 45 days. In 2024, Vietnam will welcome 91,400 Spanish tourists.

The Vietnamese community currently has about 5,000 people, mainly small traders and has integrated into the local community.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/thu-tuong-vuong-quoc-tay-ban-nha-pedro-sanchez-sap-tham-chinh-thuc-viet-nam-310118.html