Madrid (VNA) – Cooperation between Vietnam and Spain, on thebasis of the strategic partnership towards the future set up in 2009, hasdeveloped soundly over the past years, the two countries’ top diplomats havesaid.

Vietnam’s Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh and Spanish Minister of Foreign Affairs and CooperationAlfonso Dastis had talks in Madrid on May 23, which was part of the former’sofficial visit to Spain from May 23-25. The trip is among activities marking 40years of the countries’ diplomatic ties.

The two foreign ministers said the growth inbilateral ties is seen through regular meetings between the countries’ministries and sectors at all levels, close coordination and mutual support atinternational forums, increased cultural and people-to-people exchanges, andsoaring trade revenue, approximating 3 billion EUR (3.37 billion USD) in 2016.

To deepen bilateral cooperation, they agreed tocontinue increasing mutual visits at all levels and carrying out diplomatic andsecurity-defence dialogues and the political consultation at the deputyministerial level. They also concurred in effectively implementing the fifthfinancial programme, which was signed during the current visit of Deputy PMMinh.

The first meeting of the joint committee oneconomics, trade and investment should be held soon, they said, agreeing to workto lift bilateral trade to 5 billion EUR (5.61 billion USD) by 2020.

The two ministers valued the coordinationbetween both countries’ ministries and sectors in organising important eventsmarking the 40th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties this year, especiallythe ongoing Days of Vietnam in Spain.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh acknowledgedthe Spanish Government’s support to Vietnam through financial programmes,stressing the resolve to work with Spain to realise the strategic partnershipin all spheres, especially in economy, transport infrastructure, renewable energy,hi-tech agriculture and environment.

He affirmed that Vietnam is ready to provide thebest possible conditions for foreign enterprises, including Spanish ones, to dobusiness and investment in the fields matching Spain’s strength.

Minister Dastis said the Spanish Governmentprioritises relations with Vietnam, and the Spanish people and businesses aretaking increasing interest in Vietnam as shown in more than 58,000 Spanishtourists to Vietnam in 2016 and a number of investment and trade promotion eventsover the last couple of years.

At the talks, the officials also exchanged viewson international regional issues of mutual concern, affirming that theircountries will keep close cooperation at regional and international forums.

Spain affirmed its support for Vietnam’sdevelopment of comprehensive cooperation with the European Union (EU) andaccess to favourable financial sources of the International DevelopmentAssociation after 2017. It also advocates the early signing and ratification ofthe EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement, Dastis added.

The Spanish side also shared Vietnam and ASEAN’sviewpoint on and approach to the East Sea issue, which is resolving disputes bypeaceful means, adhering to international law, especially the 1982 UnitedNations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct ofParties in the East Sea (DOC), and working to finalise a Code of Conduct (COC)in the waters.-VNA