Vietnam – Brazil Upgrade Relations to Strategic Partnership

Read Time:2 Minute, 8 Second

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, agreeing to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

During their meeting on November 17 in Rio de Janeiro, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized that Vietnam-Brazil relations have so far been characterized by five shared values and complementary elements: mutual ideals and trust, close cultural identity, a mutually supportive and promoting economy, warm and sincere feelings, and a shared aspiration for peace and strong development.

The two leaders agreed to elevate Vietnam-Brazil relations to a Strategic Partnership and issued a joint statement outlining the principles and major directions for this upgraded relationship. Both sides committed to coordinating the implementation of measures to strengthen bilateral ties consistent with the new partnership framework.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva prior to their talks on November 17. Photo: Nhat Bac.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lula da Silva before their talks on November 17. Photo: Nhat Bac.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lula da Silva recognized the importance of defense and security cooperation. They agreed to strengthen collaborations in officer training, the defense industry, defense trade, logistics, military medicine, and peacekeeping operations based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in September 2023. They also committed to enhancing cooperation in combating transnational crime and cybersecurity.

President Lula da Silva agreed to coordinate measures to advance bilateral relations in the future, including promoting exchanges and engagements at various levels, particularly high-level ones, and ensuring the effective implementation of signed cooperation documents.

President Lula da Silva positively acknowledged Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals for Brazil to recognize Vietnam’s market economy status and to initiate negotiations for a free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in 2025, aiming to bring tangible benefits to both countries and contribute to each nation’s development efforts.

The two leaders also agreed to boost cooperation on global governance issues, United Nations (UN) reforms, poverty reduction, and climate change response. They shared the view that international disagreements and disputes should be resolved peacefully, based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1989 and a comprehensive partnership in 2007. In 2023, bilateral trade reached approximately $7.11 billion, with $5.8 billion recorded in the first nine months of the year. The Vietnamese community in Brazil currently numbers around 300, mainly residing in Sao Paulo.

NGOC ANH – VNEXPRESS.NET