Vietnam and Brazil Strengthen Strategic Partnership During President Lula da Silva’s Visit
Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Vietnamese State President Lương Cường held talks on Friday with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who is on a state visit to Vietnam from March 27-29. The visit marks a significant milestone in bilateral relations, following the upgrade of Vietnam-Brazil ties to a strategic partnership in November 2024.
Welcoming his Brazilian counterpart, President Cường emphasized the importance of this visit in consolidating the friendship, close cooperation, and mutual trust between the two nations. He expressed gratitude for Brazil’s historical support during Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and its continued cooperation in national development.
President Lula da Silva, in turn, expressed his delight at returning to Vietnam after 17 years. He praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in the “Đổi Mới” (Renewal) process and its growing role on the international stage. He reaffirmed Brazil’s commitment to deepening strategic cooperation with Vietnam as part of its broader policy to enhance ties with ASEAN and the Asia-Pacific region.
Strengthening Bilateral Cooperation
In an atmosphere of openness and mutual trust, the two leaders discussed key areas of cooperation, particularly the signing and implementation of the Action Plan for the Vietnam-Brazil Strategic Partnership. They agreed to maintain high-level exchanges and effectively utilize existing cooperation mechanisms to achieve shared goals.
Despite global economic challenges, Vietnam-Brazil trade relations have continued to thrive, reaching nearly $8 billion in 2024. Brazil remains Vietnam’s largest trading partner in Latin America, while Vietnam is among Brazil’s top partners in ASEAN. Both sides agreed to take measures to facilitate trade and investment and explore negotiations for a preferential trade agreement between Vietnam and MERCOSUR.
President Cường expressed appreciation for Brazil’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status, stating that this would further strengthen economic ties and support the goal of raising bilateral trade to $15 billion by 2030.
Expanding Cooperation Across Sectors
Recognizing the vast potential for collaboration, the two countries pledged to deepen partnerships in various fields, including defense and security, science and technology, clean energy, education and training, culture, sports, and people-to-people exchanges. Ministers from both countries will oversee the implementation of sector-specific cooperation programs and legal frameworks to support the strategic partnership.
Commitment to Multilateralism and Global Peace
The two leaders also exchanged views on regional and international matters, emphasizing their shared commitment to multilateralism, international law, and the United Nations Charter in resolving global challenges. They reaffirmed their intention to enhance cooperation within international organizations and multilateral forums, advocating for the increased role of developing countries in global governance.
Signing of Bilateral Agreements
Following their talks, President Cường and President Lula da Silva witnessed the signing of several key bilateral agreements, including:
- The Action Plan for the Vietnam-Brazil Strategic Partnership
- An Agreement on Income-Generating Employment for Diplomats’ Relatives
- A Governmental Agreement on the Exchange and Protection of Confidential Information
- A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on Trade and Industrial Cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Brazil’s Ministry of Development, Industry, Trade, and Services
- An MoU on Football Cooperation between the Vietnam Football Federation and the Brazilian Football Confederation
At the conclusion of the meeting, President Lula da Silva invited President Cường to pay an official visit to Brazil, an invitation that President Cường gladly accepted.
This landmark visit is expected to set the foundation for deeper and more effective cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil, reinforcing their strategic partnership for years to come.
