Vietnam and Guinea-Bissau Leaders Forge Stronger Ties in Landmark Talks

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Party General Secretary and President Tô Lâm expressed confidence that the official visit by Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló, the first Head of State-level exchange between the two countries since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973, would bring renewed momentum to the bilateral friendship and cooperation.

During their talks in Hanoi, President Lâm commended Guinea-Bissau’s efforts in maintaining political stability, promoting national unity, and fostering socio-economic development. He also acknowledged the country’s contributions to the overall progress of Africa.

President Embaló expressed admiration for Vietnam’s revolutionary achievements and national development, noting the enduring influence of great Vietnamese leaders such as President Hồ Chí Minh and General Võ Nguyên Giáp on national liberation movements in Guinea-Bissau and across Africa. He proudly shared that a secondary school in Guinea-Bissau had been named after President Hồ Chí Minh, emphasizing Vietnam’s role as a model for developing nations in Africa, especially Guinea-Bissau.

The Guinea-Bissau President underscored his country’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Asian nations, identifying Vietnam as a top priority partner. He expressed determination to deepen bilateral relations for mutual benefit, particularly in economic and trade cooperation.

Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the strong outcomes of bilateral relations, highlighted by the recent 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. They agreed to facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels to build political trust and enhance cooperation. A key outcome of the talks was the implementation of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on establishing a political and diplomatic consultation mechanism between the two countries’ foreign ministries, which was signed during the visit.

In a significant gesture, President Embaló announced visa exemptions for holders of Vietnamese diplomatic and official passports and extended an invitation to President Lâm to visit Guinea-Bissau, which was graciously accepted. He further vowed to work closely with Vietnam to strengthen economic, trade, and investment ties, particularly focusing on traditional exports such as cashew nuts.

As Vietnam is Guinea-Bissau’s third-largest trade partner, President Embaló supported President Lâm’s proposal to expand cooperation in areas where Vietnam has expertise, including agriculture, policy-making, and personnel training. Both sides agreed to negotiate and sign legal frameworks to formalize their growing cooperation.

On regional and global issues, the two leaders pledged mutual support at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the Group of 77 (G77). They also highlighted the importance of fostering cooperation within regional organizations like ASEAN and the African Union, with a focus on priority areas such as agriculture, education, healthcare, and digital transformation.

Regarding the East Sea (South China Sea), both leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight. They stressed the need for peaceful dispute resolution in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Following their discussions, both leaders witnessed the signing of two key agreements: an MoU on the political and diplomatic consultation mechanism and another on agricultural cooperation, marking a new chapter in Vietnam-Guinea-Bissau relations.