HCMC – Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have elevated bilateral relations to a comprehensive partnership.
The upgade came during a meeting in Abu Dhabi on October 28 (local time) between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The meeting took place as part of Chinh’s ongoing visit to the UAE. He was earlier welcomed with a 21-gun salute at the Presidential Palace by UAE Vice President Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
During the talks, the UAE president expressed optimism that Chinh’s visit would bolster bilateral cooperation. He praised Vietnam’s development and described Vietnam as UAE’s key partner in Asia.
Both leaders acknowledged the progress made in Vietnam-UAE relations, particularly in deepening political trust, expanding economic cooperation, and strengthening mutual support on the global stage.
The upgrade to a comprehensive partnership made the UAE Vietnam’s first such partner in the Middle East, demonstrating both countries’ commitment to enhancing bilateral ties, reported the Vietnam News Agency.
Vietnam and the UAE aim to scale up trade and investment, explore opportunities in the Halal sector, and collaborate on emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and digital transformation.
The two countries have plans to promote cultural exchange, tourism, education, and labor cooperation and coordinate on regional and international issues at multilateral forums.
Chinh requested favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the UAE, while the UAE leader pledged support for a Vietnamese cultural center in the UAE and several development projects in Vietnam.
Vietnam called on the UAE to support ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea, underscoring the importance of peace, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight, and peaceful dispute resolution based on international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).