Việtnam and Algeria Upgrade Ties to Strategic Partnership

Algiers, The Gulf Observer: Việtnam and Algeria on Wednesday agreed to upgrade their longstanding relationship to a Strategic Partnership and pledged to expand cooperation across multiple sectors, following official talks between Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and his Algerian counterpart Sifi Ghrieb in Algiers.

Prime Minister Chính expressed his pleasure at visiting Algeria during the historic month of November, commemorating the launch of the Algerian people’s struggle for independence on November 1, 1954. He thanked the Algerian leadership and people for their warm and respectful welcome, affirming that Việt Nam has always cherished Algeria’s support during its own fight for national liberation and in its present development journey.

The Vietnamese leader said he was deeply moved by the special affection the Algerian people hold for Việtnam and President Hồ Chí Minh, whose name graces major boulevards in Algiers and Oran. He conveyed greetings and congratulations from General Secretary Tô Lâm and other Vietnamese leaders to the newly appointed Algerian Prime Minister.

Prime Minister Ghrieb praised President Hồ Chí Minh’s legacy and Việtnam’s heroic history, noting that Việtnam had been a source of inspiration for Algeria’s independence movement. He described PM Chính’s visit as a defining moment in bilateral ties, built upon a shared history of revolutionary struggle that continues to encourage nations worldwide.

Both leaders expressed pride in the strong bond forged through the two nations’ parallel quests for independence, saying this legacy provided a foundation to overcome present and future challenges. PM Ghrieb welcomed the growing momentum in bilateral relations and highlighted opportunities for economic, trade and business cooperation, noting Algeria’s readiness to facilitate Vietnamese enterprises and serve as a gateway for their engagement with Africa.

The two sides also exchanged updates on domestic developments and discussed measures to bolster traditional cooperation in the coming period, along with regional and global issues of mutual concern. PM Ghrieb reaffirmed Algeria’s commitment—under President Abdelmadjid Tebboune’s leadership—to nurturing the historic friendship between the two countries.

PM Chính congratulated Algeria on its achievements in building a “New Algeria” and enhancing its economic, cultural and social development while strengthening its international role. He stressed that Việt Nam treasures the brotherly friendship and values its deep-rooted ties with Algeria.

Building on these foundations, the two leaders officially agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership. They committed to enhancing high-level exchanges, strengthening political trust and promoting comprehensive cooperation through existing mechanisms.

PM Chính proposed multiple measures to advance ties, stressing the need for both countries to “stand united for strength, cooperate for mutual benefit, and engage in dialogue for trust.” He emphasised the importance of listening, understanding, trusting and acting together to achieve breakthroughs in bilateral relations.

He called for increased political trust, prioritisation of each nation within the other’s foreign policy, and more frequent high-level visits. The Vietnamese leader also urged continued support for PetroVietnam’s projects in Algeria to ensure stable, effective operations, highlighting the company as a flagship of bilateral cooperation.

He recommended stronger investment linkages, enhanced market access for key products, balanced trade, and Algerian support for Vietnamese enterprises in areas such as digital transformation and telecommunications. Cooperation in defence and security, including defence exhibitions and cybersecurity collaboration, was proposed as a new pillar of the partnership.

Both sides agreed to expand cultural and educational exchanges to deepen historical understanding and strengthen ties between younger generations. PM Chính also requested support for the Vietnamese community in Algeria.

He proposed the establishment of joint subcommittees on science and technology, digital transformation, health, education, labour and other specialised fields, and encouraged concrete projects among enterprises. He also sought Algeria’s support in enhancing Việt Nam’s ties with regional organisations including the African Union and the Arab League.

Both sides committed to continuing mutual support at multilateral forums—especially the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement—and to strengthening South–South cooperation and collaboration in science, technology and digital transformation.

Discussing international issues, PM Chính reaffirmed Việt Nam’s readiness to contribute to global peacekeeping efforts. On the East Sea (South China Sea), he asked for Algeria’s support for ASEAN’s stance, including respect for freedom of navigation and overflight in line with the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Prime Minister Ghrieb welcomed Việtnam’s proposals and pledged coordinated efforts by Algerian ministries and agencies to implement agreed cooperation plans. PM Chính invited PM Ghrieb to pay an official visit to Việtnam.

Following their talks, both leaders adopted a Joint Statement upgrading Việtnam–Algeria relations to a Strategic Partnership and witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents, including:

• Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee on economic, scientific and technical cooperation
• MoU on housing and urban planning
• Appendix to the Protocol on overall debt settlement
• Agreement on education cooperation
• MoU between Việt Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Letter of Intent between Việt Nam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion on launching talks for a pilot preferential trade agreement

The agreements mark a major milestone in the advancement of Việtnam–Algeria relations and lay a strong foundation for deeper, more comprehensive cooperation in the years ahead.