HCMC – Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva agreed to elevate their countries’ relations to a strategic partnership, according to VNA.
During talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Rio de Janeiro on November 17, PM Chinh highlighted five fundamental pillars in Vietnam-Brazil relations: shared ideals and trust, cultural affinity, complementary nature of the two economies, sincere and warm sentiments, and aspirations for peace and development.
The two leaders agreed to elevate Vietnam-Brazil relations to a strategic partnership and issued a joint statement detailing key principles and directions for the upgrade.
They also committed to coordinating efforts to implement measures that enhance bilateral ties within the new partnership framework.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President Lula da Silva emphasized the importance of defense and security cooperation, agreeing to strengthen collaboration in officer training, defense industry, defense trade, logistics, military medicine, and peacekeeping, based on the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in September 2023. They also pledged to boost cooperation in combating transnational crime and enhancing cybersecurity.
The Brazilian leader agreed to coordinate the implementation of measures to strengthen bilateral relations in the coming period, including increasing delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially high-level ones, and effectively implementing the signed cooperation agreements.
President Lula da Silva acknowledged PM Chinh’s proposals regarding Brazil’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status, as well as the early initiation of negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in 2025 so as to bring practical benefits to both sides and contribute to each country’s development.
Vietnam and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1989 and a comprehensive partnership in 2007. In 2023, bilateral trade reached approximately US$7.11 billion, with US$5.8 billion recorded in the January-September of the year.
