Vietnam highly values relations with EU member states including Portugal: NA official
A delegation of the National Assembly (NA) led by its Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man on November 13 engaged in activities to promote the Vietnam-Portugal relations, within the framework of the visit to the European country.
NA Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Francisco André on November 13. (Photo: VNA)
Lisbon (VNA) – A delegation of the National Assembly (NA) led by its Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man on November 13 engaged in activities to pౠromote the Vietnam-Portugalrelations, within the framework of the visit to the European country.
At the meeting with Portugal’s Secretary of State forForeign Affairs and Cooperation Francisco André, the Vietnamese NA official saidthat Vietnam attaches importance and gives priority to strengthening thepartnership and comprehensive cooperation with European Union, its memberstates including Portugal – an important member of the EU.
He thanked Portugal for ratifying the EU-Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) in April and called on the country to encourage other EU member states to ratify𒆙 the agreement soon.
Man also asked Portugal to help push the removal ofthe European Commission (EC)’s “yellow card” warning against Vietnam's seafood products relating to illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing (IUU). Atthe meeting, the two sides agreed that investment cooperation between the twocountries is still modest compared to its potential. Therefore, it is necessaryto continue to promote cooperation in fields such as culture, education, marineeconomy, maritime, renewable energy, tourism, information technology, and labour. ThePortuguese official said his country is highly aware ofVietnam's efforts to improve the legal framework against the IUU fishing, and hopes that the EU will consider those effortsto have positive assessments to soon remove the warning against Vietnam.
The Vietnamese NA delegation and leaders of the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (AICEP) pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA)
At a meeting with President of the Portuguese Agency forInvestment and Foreign Trade (AICEP) Filipe Santos Costa, the Vietnamese official said that by the end of 2022, Portugal had onlythree investment projects in Vietnam with a total capital of 110,000 USD.Meanwhile, Vietnam had one project in Portugal with a registered capital of856,000 USD. He said the two sides share the view to boost cooperation andinvestment and take advantages of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) tohave bilateral trade reached 1 billion USD in the coming time.
Vietnam is willing to serve as a bridge connecting Portugaland the Southeast Asian market, Man said.
At the meeting with parliamentarians of the Portuguese Communist Party, he said that Vietnam always pays at♈tention to consolidatingand developing friendship and cooperative relations with traditional friendslike🍰 the Portuguese Communist Party.
On this occasion, Man also reiterated the invitation by PartyGeneral Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to General Secretary of the PortugueseCommunist Party Paulo Raimundo to visit Vietnam in 2024.
The meeting between the Vietnamese NA delegation and Ricardo Valente (centre, right side), Councilor for Finance, Economy, and Employment of Porto city on November 13 (Photo: VNA)
Also the same day, the NA delegation met with Ricardo Valentewho is Councilor for Finance, Economy, and Employment of Porto city and leadersof EDP Renewables - a global leader in the renewable energy sector and theworld's fourth-largest wind energy producer.
Currently, the group has three solar power farm projects and 10 cl▨usters ofrooftop solar power projects in Vietnam. Thegroup leaders appreciated༺ Vietnam's policies in supporting its projects.
They said they hope Vietnam will continue to have preferential policies so that the groupcan operate new technologies in the country such as floating solar and hydrogentechnology./.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on January 18 held talks with his Portuguese counterpart Joao Gomes Cravinho, who is on an official visit to Vietnam on January 17 - 19.
The Vietnamese Government always values the development of traditional friendship with Portugal, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh told Portuguese Minister of Foreign Affairs Joao Gomes Cravinho during a reception in Hanoi on January 18.
A festival is underway in Portugal’s Porto city, aiming to promote the beauty of Vietnam and its Ho Chi Minh City, and enhance economic ties between the two cities.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
The ministry has instructed Vietnamese representative agencies in Israel, Iran, as well as those in neighbouring countries, to closely monitor the situation and request local authorities to ensure absolute safety for Vietnamese citizens living, studying, and working in high-risk areas.
NA Vice Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) meets with Portugal’s Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation Francisco André on November 13. (Photo: VNA) 
The Vietnamese NA delegation and leaders of the Portuguese Agency for Investment and Foreign Trade (AICEP) pose for a group photo. (Photo: VNA) 
The meeting between the Vietnamese NA delegation and Ricardo Valente (centre, right side), Councilor for Finance, Economy, and Employment of Porto city on November 13 (Photo: VNA) 
