Abu Dhabi (VNA) - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on October 27 afternoon met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community living in seven emirates of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) within the framework of his official visit to the Middle East country.

Extending his best wishes to the Vietnamese community in the UAE, Chinh said that Vietnamese in the Middle East nation, no matter what position or job they have, always have the capacity, enthusiasm, intelligence, solidarity, and mutual support; and always look towards the homeland, with all the love for the nation and compatriots.

Regarding the Vietnam-UAE relationship, he said that after more than 30 years, the bilateral friendship and cooperation have been developing positively in various fields such as politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, labour and tourism.

During this visit, the two sides will upgrade their ties and sign the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), Chinh stated, adding that this is a foundation and important condition for the bilateral relationship to reach a new height, and for the Vietnamese community to develop further.

The Government leader affirmed that the Party and State always see the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community an inseparable part of the nation and pay due attention to taking care of the Vietnamese nationals both inside and outside the country.

Regarding the proposals of Vietnamese in the UAE, PM Chinh said he will direct relevant ministries and sectors to work to meet their demands and improve their spiritual and material lives as well as promote their role and position in the host nation.

He highlighted that he will consider and direct the early establishment of a Vietnamese people association and a Vietnamese cultural centre in the UAE, thus preserving the Vietnamese language and culture.

PM Chinh also briefed the expatriates on the domestic situation, stressing that Vietnam, enduring hardships due to prolonged resistance wars and embargoes, has never enjoyed such fortune, power, and international standing and prestige as it does today.

He recalled the Party’s policy of bringing Vietnam to the era of the nation’s rise and expressed his belief that the Vietnamese community in the UAE will further develop, better integrate into the host society, continue abiding by local laws, and preserve the national identity, serving as a bridge for the bilateral friendship./.

According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the UAE Nguyen Thanh Diep, there are currently over 5,000 Vietnamese people living in the Middle East country.

൩ Representatives of the community said that there is still great potential and room for cooperation between the two countries. They expressed their wish to receive support in handling issues related to procedures, documents, and visas./.