Việtnam, Kuwait Agree to Elevate Ties to Strategic Partnership
Kuwait City, The Gulf Observer: Việtnam and Kuwait have agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a strategic level, marking the beginning of a new, dynamic and comprehensive phase of cooperation aligned with the aspirations and interests of both nations.
The consensus was reached on Monday during a meeting between Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Emir of Kuwait Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, held following an official welcome ceremony at Bayan Palace in Kuwait City. The meeting formed part of PM Chính’s official visit to Kuwait.
The Emir of Kuwait described the visit as an important milestone in Việtnam–Kuwait relations and reaffirmed Việt Nam’s strategic role in Kuwait’s foreign policy. Reviewing 49 years of diplomatic ties, he lauded the strong progress achieved and expressed hope that both sides would organise meaningful events to commemorate the 50th anniversary of relations in 2026. He stressed Kuwait’s commitment to walking alongside Việtnam, noting that Kuwait considers Việtnam’s interests as its own.
Extending heartfelt condolences over recent natural disasters in Việt Nam, the Emir reaffirmed Kuwait’s recognition of Việt Nam as a sincere, reliable and rapidly developing partner. He welcomed deeper cooperation in trade, investment, food security, science and technology, as well as enhanced coordination on international issues.
As Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait underscored the importance of strengthening GCC ties with Việtnam and ASEAN, viewing Việt Nam as a strategic gateway for expanding cooperation with the region.
Prime Minister Chính expressed his pleasure at visiting Kuwait, the first Gulf nation to establish diplomatic relations with Việt Nam, and thanked the Emir for advancing bilateral cooperation in recent years. He highlighted significant milestones, including mutual support at multilateral forums, Kuwait’s role as the largest ODA provider to Việtnam in the Gulf region, the Nghi Sơn refinery and petrochemical project, and Kuwait’s timely donation of 600,000 COVID-19 vaccine doses during the pandemic.
Reaffirming a shared determination to open a new, comprehensive and effective phase of cooperation towards the 50th anniversary of ties (1976–2026), both leaders agreed to orient bilateral relations toward a strategic partnership.
PM Chính proposed nine priority areas for future collaboration:
- Strengthening political trust and high-level exchanges;
- Enhancing cooperation in the energy sector, including oil and gas;
- Creating breakthroughs in investment, with encouragement for the Kuwait Investment Authority to expand investment in Việt Nam, especially in the HCM City International Financial Centre;
- Boosting trade and supporting early negotiations for a Việt Nam–GCC free trade agreement;
- Accelerating talks on a food security agreement and supporting Việt Nam’s Halal ecosystem;
- Promoting defence and security cooperation, including dual-use defence technologies, participation in defence exhibitions, addressing non-traditional security challenges, and enhancing cybersecurity;
- Strengthening ties in science, technology, innovation and digital transformation;
- Expanding tourism cooperation and people-to-people exchanges;
- Deepening collaboration in labour, culture, sports and education and training.
Prime Minister Chính affirmed that Việtnam stands ready to work with Kuwait to contribute to regional peace and reconstruction efforts in the Middle East.
Both leaders agreed to further deepen political trust and enhance coordination on regional and global matters to promote peace, stability, cooperation and development.
On the occasion, PM Chính conveyed invitations from Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and President Lương Cường for the Emir to visit Việtnam. The Emir accepted with pleasure and expressed his desire to visit the country soon.
