Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with the leaders of Spain, Paraguay, Canada, Singapore, the UAE, the Vatican, and the World Health Organization on the sidelines of the G20 Summit in Brazil on Tuesday (local time) to discuss stronger cooperation.

PM Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on Saturday afternoon last week, commencing a three-day visit to attend the G20 Summit and bilateral activities.

The trip was made at the invitation of President of Brazil and Chair of the 2024 G20 Summit Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and his spouse.

The Vietnamese government leader conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary To Lam, State President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man to the leaders.

He also extended invitations from the Party chief and state president to these leaders to visit Vietnam.

During talks with his Spanish counterpart Pedro Sanchez, PM Chinh proposed the two nations sign a new joint action program as soon as possible, while strengthening multifaceted cooperation.

He expected Spain to push other European Union (EU) members to quickly ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and the European Commission to lift its illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing warning against Vietnamese seafood.

The Spanish prime minister hinted at deepening their cooperation in infrastructural development such as subways, urban railways, and urban planning, while joining hands to hold various cultural events and supporting each other at multilateral forums in preparation for the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2027.

The Vietnamese premier invited his Spanish counterpart to Vietnam in 2025, then securing his acceptance.

The Spaniard also offered an invitation to the top Vietnamese official to visit Spain at an appropriate time.

At a meeting with UAE Minister of State Ahmed Sayegh, PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is willing to become a strategic supplier of halal products, helping ensure food security in the UAE.

Sayegh said that the UAE would actively support and share its experience with Vietnam in developing an international financial hub, enhancing the connection between innovation centers of the two nations.

During a meeting with Paraguayan President Santiago Peña, the Vietnamese leader mentioned strengthening cooperation between the two countries and urged greater collaboration in economy, trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges.

He proposed Paraguay continue supporting the finalization of the internal assessment of the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) to facilitate the signing of the Vietnam-MERCOSUR free trade agreement.

Responding to PM Chinh’s proposal, President Pena affirmed that Paraguay always cherishes the relationship with Vietnam, ready to act as a link between the Southeast Asian country and MERCOSUR, the world's leading food trading region.

During a meeting between PM Chinh and Singaporean Deputy Prime Minister Lawrence Wong, the leaders outlined strategies to deepen their bilateral partnership.

Key discussions included elevating ties, promoting high-level delegation exchanges, and advancing the development of next-generation Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Parks.

They also agreed to enhance connectivity in infrastructure, logistics, and digital networks, pledging to collaborate on clean and renewable energy development, establish an ASEAN electricity grid, and exchange expertise in building international financial hubs.

PM Chinh and Canadian PM Justin Trudeau reached a consensus on strengthening the bilateral relations, intensifying economic, trade, investment, and ODA cooperation, and expanding partnership in peacekeeping force training.

The two nations should utilize the benefits of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership, of which both countries are members, heard the meeting.

Meeting with WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, the Vietnamese prime minister expressed gratitude and appreciation for WHO support in providing vaccines to Vietnam through the COVAX mechanism, which played a crucial role in the country’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The prime minister also emphasized Vietnam's commitment to its partnership with the WHO, highlighting the importance of continued collaboration to safeguard public health.

During talks between PM Chinh and Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in Vietnam-Holy See relations in recent years, marked by high-level visits and delegation exchanges.

Cardinal Parolin said that Pope Francis looks forward to visiting Vietnam, aiming to strengthen the connection between the Holy See and the Catholic Church in Vietnam while further enhancing ties between Vietnam and the Vatican.

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