* At the meeting with the Brazilian Foreign Minister, Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed his appreciation and desire to strengthen the Comprehensive Partnership with Brazil, one of Vietnam's leading important partners in the Latin American region; proposed that the two sides continue to maintain high-level delegation exchanges; requested that Brazil support and promote the early launch of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR); continue to coordinate and support each other at international organizations and multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations, WTO and other multilateral forums of which the two sides are active members. Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to strengthen relations between ASEAN and Brazil as Sectoral Partners as well as between ASEAN and MERCOSUR.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and Brazilian Foreign Minister Mauro Viera. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

Minister Mauro Vieira congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in socio -economic recovery and development. Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, Minister Mauro Vieira agreed with the proposals of Minister Bui Thanh Son, especially the promotion of effective and substantive cooperation in all fields.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides emphasized that ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea plays an important role for peace, development and prosperity in the region and the world; agreed that all disputes should be resolved peacefully through dialogue, on the basis of compliance with international law, especially the 1982 UNCLOS.

* Receiving Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at his office, Foreign Affairs Advisor to the French President, Mr. Emmanuel Bonne expressed his determination to strongly promote the framework of the France-Vietnam Strategic Partnership; increase the exchange of high-level delegations between the two countries in the coming time; said that trade and investment cooperation between the two countries still has much room for further development; agreed that both sides need to fully and effectively implement the European Union-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA); France will consider early ratification of the Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). The two sides agreed to support expanding cooperation in potential areas such as climate change response, renewable energy production; and effectively respond to regional and global issues...

Minister Bui Thanh Son during a working session with EC Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis. Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs

* With EC Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, Minister Bui Thanh Son proposed that the EC urge the Parliaments of member countries to soon ratify the EVIPA Agreement, creating a breakthrough in investment cooperation between the two sides. The two sides expressed satisfaction with the positive steps in the Vietnam-EU comprehensive partnership and cooperation in recent times, especially in the economic field; agreed to further strengthen the exchange of high-level delegations; acknowledged the positive growth in trade turnover between the two countries; agreed to urge the EC to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports, and discussed expanding cooperation in other areas such as labor and medicine.

* With Canadian Minister of International Trade Mary Ng, Minister Bui Thanh Son also proposed that Canada continue to open its market for Vietnam's key export products to the Canadian market (such as agricultural and aquatic products, textiles, footwear, steel, etc.). The two sides agreed to continue to promote the Comprehensive Partnership, especially trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, in the context of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1973-2023); strengthen coordination and effectively utilize the CPTPP, as well as at regional cooperation forums and mechanisms such as ASEAN-Canada, APEC.

PEACE