Joint Statement on the Results of the Official Visit to Vietnam by Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez pose for a photo before holding talks. Photo: Duong Giang/VNA

1. At the invitation of Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez paid an official visit to Vietnam from April 8 to 10, 2025.

2. This is the first visit to Vietnam by a Spanish Prime Minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1977. During the visit, Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez held talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; met with General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man.

3. The two Prime Ministers highly appreciated the socio-economic development achievements of each country in recent times, and expressed their delight at the positive and effective developments in bilateral relations since the two countries established the "Strategic Partnership towards the Future" in 2009. On the basis of the good friendship and great potential for cooperation between the two countries, the two sides affirmed their commitment to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in all fields, towards upgrading the Vietnam - Spain relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership at the appropriate time.

* About politics and diplomacy

4. The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of delegations and high-level contacts through all channels between the Party, State, Government, National Assembly and localities of Vietnam and the Spanish Government to strengthen political trust and mutual understanding; agreed to coordinate in organizing activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (May 23, 1977 - May 23, 2027).

5. The two sides agreed to promote cooperation between the two foreign ministries through the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on Cooperation and Political Consultation signed during this visit, promoting the organization of regular consultations to review and evaluate the implementation of bilateral treaties as well as exchange on international and regional issues. The two sides pledged to strengthen coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, ASEAN - EU and ASEM, and make joint contributions to the United Nations Human Rights Council. Vietnam supports Spain's accession to the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC). The two sides also welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the Spanish School of Diplomacy.

* On economics, trade, investment and financial cooperation

6. The two sides highly appreciated the positive developments in the economic and trade pillars between the two countries, and agreed to continue to fully and effectively implement the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to maximize the strengths and complementarities of the two economies, as well as maintain an open, fair, predictable, transparent and non-discriminatory business environment based on international standards. The two sides called for the early ratification and implementation of the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

7. The two sides welcomed the establishment of the Spanish Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam based in Ho Chi Minh City, and stressed the importance of signing the new Financial Cooperation Protocol between the two countries, contributing to promoting investment cooperation in priority areas where Spain has strengths and Vietnam has needs, such as infrastructure, rail transport, logistics, urban planning, green energy, environmental protection, climate change response, water resources management, waste treatment, digital transformation, marine economy, automobile industry, shipbuilding, agricultural and food processing, garment and tourism, etc. The two sides committed to effectively implementing the mechanism of the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation, and studying the establishment of cooperation mechanisms in other specialized fields.

* On defense and security:

8. The two sides expressed their desire to strengthen cooperation in the field of defense and security on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two countries' Defense Ministries in 2010, including United Nations peacekeeping, with the common goal of contributing to maintaining peace and stability in the world. The two sides supported the search for cooperation possibilities in the defense industry on the basis of the needs and capabilities of both sides, including the two sides continuing to participate in the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition and the Spain International Defense Fair.

9. The two sides agreed to consider the possibility of enhancing cooperation in the fields of security, cyber security, counter-terrorism and serious transnational crimes, including drug trafficking, human trafficking, environmental and economic crimes. In order to promote such cooperation, the two sides are willing to study the possibility of signing a bilateral agreement as a basis for cooperation in the fields of security, information exchange and training, capacity building for law enforcement officers.

* On science - technology, education - training, tourism, agriculture, culture, sports and people-to-people exchange:

10. Spain highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in promoting breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, national digital transformation and the semiconductor industry. The two sides emphasized the potential for cooperation in these areas and agreed to encourage businesses of the two countries to take full advantage of cooperation opportunities in the Letter of Intent on cooperation in technology development and innovation signed between the Vietnam National Agency for Technology Development and Innovation (SATI) and the Spanish Center for Technology Development and Innovation (CDTI) in 2024, including cooperation in renewable energy technology.

11. The two sides wish to promote cooperation in education, including studying measures to enhance Spanish language teaching in Vietnam through the Cervantes Office and sending Spanish lecturers to teach in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, in accordance with the needs of the two sides. The two sides also agreed to study and expand cooperation in training high-quality human resources in areas of Spanish expertise such as urban planning, hotel management, tourism, science and technology.

12. The two sides emphasized that tourism cooperation is a potential pillar between the two countries, and agreed to continue to effectively implement the Tourism Cooperation Agreement signed in 2002. Spain welcomed Vietnam's decision to extend visa exemption for Spanish citizens, regardless of passport type and purpose of entry.

13. The two sides agreed on the importance and potential of research, development and technological innovation, including biotechnology and new genetic technologies, to enhance the productivity and competitiveness of the agro-food sector, especially in the areas of precision agriculture and sustainable irrigation using new water sources such as recycled water and desalination.

Spain acknowledged Vietnam's efforts in seriously and fully implementing the EC's recommendations in addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing (IUU), and agreed to support Vietnam in enforcing the legal framework against IUU fishing and deploying a strict and effective fisheries inspection and monitoring system. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of food safety and quality, veterinary medicine, plant protection and fisheries.

14. The two sides welcomed the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the fields of culture and sports, which contributes to promoting exchange activities and facilitating the exchange of information and experience in the fields of culture, arts and sports, thereby enhancing people-to-people exchanges and mutual understanding between the two countries.

15. The two sides reaffirmed their commitment to supporting the development and integration of the Vietnamese community in Spain and the Spanish community in Vietnam, contributing positively to strengthening relations between the two countries.

* On international and regional issues

16. Vietnam and Spain commit to coordinate security initiatives, promote multilateralism and free trade based on the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter. The two sides welcome the adoption by consensus of the United Nations General Assembly of the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime and Spain supports Vietnam in hosting the signing ceremony of the Convention in 2025 in Hanoi.

17. The two sides welcomed and supported efforts to respond to climate change, including promoting energy transition and enhancing adaptation and resilience of countries. The two sides highly appreciated the organization of the 4th Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals (P4G) Summit in Hanoi.

The Parties reaffirm their long-standing commitment to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and its Sustainable Development Goals. They look forward to the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development to be held in Seville in 2025 as a major step forward in the implementation of a new global financial framework for sustainable development.

18. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, prosperity and rule-based order, stressed the importance of freedom and safety of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, and supported ASEAN's stance on resolving disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

19. The two sides support efforts towards a comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine, in accordance with the fundamental principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, with the participation of all relevant parties. The two leaders emphasized the principles of respect for the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of all states. Vietnam stands ready to join the joint efforts of the international community in this process.

20. Vietnam and Spain affirmed their strong commitment to promoting peace and stability in the Middle East, condemning the violence and massive civilian casualties in the Gaza Strip and calling for the restoration of a ceasefire as the only way to ensure the release of all hostages, the unimpeded access to humanitarian aid and its safe distribution to those in need through international agencies, in particular the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). Both sides reaffirmed their commitment to the two-state solution to ensure a lasting and sustainable peace for Palestine and Israel.

* Conclude

21. Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez sincerely thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the leaders and people of Vietnam for the warm and respectful reception. Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez respectfully invited Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to visit Spain at a suitable time to continue discussing orientations and measures to enhance bilateral relations. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked and happily accepted the invitation. The time of the visit will be arranged through diplomatic channels.

VNA

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tuyen-bo-chung-ve-ket-qua-chuyen-tham-chinh-thuc-viet-nam-cua-thu-tuong-tay-ban-nha-pedro-sanchez-post409861.html