Hanoi (VNA) - An international seminar discussing measures and giving policy suggestions to further boost the Vietnam-Brazil relationship was jointly held in Hanoi on August 2 by the Vietnam Institute of American Studies (VIAS) under the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences (VASS), and the Brazilian Embassy in Vietnam.

Addressing the event, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Ta Minh Tuan, Vice President of the VASS, highlighted the significant progress in the relationship between Vietnam and Brazil over the past 35 years, from friendship cooperation to a comprehensive partnership in 2007, and the importance of bilateral cooperation in the context of growing globalisation.

Brazil is currently Vietnam's largest trading partner in Latin America, with two-way trade hitting 7.11 billion USD in 2023.

The two countries share many similarities in culture, history, and development, providing a solid foundation for expanding cooperation across various fields, Tuan said, stressing the need to fully capitalise on future cooperation opportunities as the bilateral relationship has not been commensurate with the actual demand and potential of each side.

Brazilian Ambassador Marco Farani stated that Brazil always supports Vietnam in its development process, and hoped that the bilateral relations will continue to be strengthened and developed based on mutual respect and support, thus laying a foundation for deeper and more sustainable cooperation in the future.

According to Dr. Le Thi Van Nga from the VIAS, the two countries have witnessed significant progress in cooperation across various fields, from agriculture, renewable energy, technology to education, and defence.

Vietnam and Brazil are working hard to improve the effectiveness of the Joint Ministerial Committee for Agriculture and Science –Technology, and the Political Consultation between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. They are expanding dialogues between ministries, sectors, and businesses, and improving the legal framework to foster cooperation in trade, investment, and agriculture as well as people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between friendly organisations and localities, Nga said.

Negotiating a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (Mercosur) bloc is seen as a solution to boost economic cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil, she noted./.