Vietnam wants to deepen comprehensive cooperation with Spain: Party chief
Highlighting the significance of the first-ever visit by a head of the Spanish government since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Party chief believed that the visit will serve as a catalyst to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership to a new height, fostering prosperity and mutual benefits for both nations while contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Party General Secretary To Lam (R) and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at their meeting in Hanoi on April 9. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam wants to deepenꦬ comprehensive cooperation with Spain, a key member and a gateway to the European Union (EU), Party Genera๊l Secretary To Lam told visiting Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez at their meeting in Hanoi on April 9.
Highlighting the significance of the first-ever visit by a head of the Spanish government since the establishment of diplomatic ties, the Party chief believed that the visit will serve as a catalyst to elevate the bilateral Strategic Partnership to a new height, fostering prosperity and mutual benefits for both nations while contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
While sharing PM Sánchez's assessments of the world's current economic situation, he affirmed Vietnam’s pursuit of a policy of self-reliance, overcoming challenges by diversifying markets with regions around the world, including the EU and Africa. It is also promoting the development and application of sci-tech, while increasing trade exchanges with partner countries and traditional friends, including Spain, Lam said.
Spanish PM Sánchez, in response, highly valued Vietnam’s role and position in the region and the world, as well as in Spain’s foreign policy, affirming that Spain is ready to serve as a bridge to further strengthen Vietnam-EU relations and expects to upgrade the bilateral ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The PM highlighted the similarities and complementary nature between the Spanish and Vietnamese economies, pledging to urge EU nations to soon ratify the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). He also suggested Vietnam send a delegation to Spain to learn its experience aimed at prompting the European Commission to soon remove its IUU yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood.
Both sides agreed to reinforce cooperation in the fields of national defence-security, agriculture, and education- training, while also exploring promising fields like innovation, artificial intelligence, semiconductor, and digital transformation.
Lam stressed the importance of boosting cooperation in sci-tech and transport which are the strengths of Spain that meet Vietnam’s needs. He also noted that cultural and tourism exchanges hold great potential, given the rising number of Spanish tourist arrivals to Vietnam.
At the meeting (Photo: VNA)
PM Sánchez, representing a country with the world’s second-largest high-speed rail network, said Spanish firms are keen to join Vietnam’s infrastructure and railway projects.
The Party leader took this occasion to thank Spain for supporting the Vietnamese community and called for continued assistance for their integration and contributions to both nations.
On the multilateral aspect, PM Sánchez praised Vietnam's efforts for the settlement of global issues and welcomed Vietnam’s hosting of the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April, confirming that Spain would send representatives to the event.
Both sides stressed that Vietnam and Spain need to continue coordinating closely at multilateral forums and international organisations, promoting multilateralism and respect for international law to address regional and global challenges, especially amid rapid and complicated changes around the world, including the East Sea issue./.
Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Spain Pedro Sánchez is paying an official visit to Vietnam from April 8-10 at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. Vietnam and Spain established diplomatic relations on May 23, 1977. Over the past nearly 50 years, the bilateral relationship has grown intensively and comprehensively.
In recent years, Vietnam–Spain relations have enjoyed strong and positive development. Since the establishment of the Strategic Partnership towards the Future in December 2009, bilateral ties have made significant strides. Spain has become Vietnam’s 8th largest trading partner within the EU, while Vietnam now stands as Spain’s biggest trading partner in ASEAN.
The visit is a vivid testament to the excellent cooperation between the two countries across multiple domains, from politics to economy, trade and investment, culture, defence, security, education - training, and transport, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Spain Doan Thanh Song.
Known as the “four pillars for Vietnam’s ascend”, the Pobiburo's Resolutions 57, 59, 66, and 68 focus on cultivating a robust national entrepreneurial spirit, unlocking resources for innovation across society, and accelerating the development of digital economy, knowledge-based economy, green economy, and circular economy, propelling Vietnam forward rapidly and firmly on the path of modernisation and international integration.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang cleared up deputies' concern regarding how to spur socio-economic growth, renew traditional growth motives and establish new momentum for development.
Vietnam proposed several priorities: narrowing the digital divide, strengthening women’s leadership in the digital economy and AI governance, and mobilising sustainable financing for gender equality initiatives in line with each country’s national priorities and context. Vietnam also advocated for genuine women’s participation and leadership across all areas of public life.
Ha expressed his hope that cooperation in science and technology, agriculture, and natural resources would emerge as new focal points and engines of growth in Vietnam–China relations.
Giang said he believes that building on the solid foundation nurtured over the past half-century and the strong determination of both nations, the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership will continue to grow in a more robust, comprehensive, and extensive manner, thus bringing more practical benefits to the two nations' people.
Highlighting the transformative potential of the draft law in revitalising Vietnam’s railway industry, Hoang Van Cuong, a deputy of Hanoi, expressed his support for Article 39, which empowers the Prime Minister to issue a list of railway-related goods and services to be assigned or ordered from domestic enterprises for production.
According to the Ministry of Public Security, Hoan, formerly Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, is under investigation for allegedly taking bribes in connection with a case involving the Hoang Long Construction and Manpower Supply JSC and related units.
Chairing a national conference on the organisation of the examination on June 18, the PM highlighted the historical significance of the examination, as the restructuring of provincial-level administrative units is underway and the two-tier local administration model is set to officially begin operations on July 1.
Right on the same day, the ministry issued its highest-level travel warning, urging Vietnamese citizens not to travel to Israel or Iran, and advised those already in these countries to swiftly consider evacuation or relocation plans.
From the struggles against colonialists and imperialists to the period of Doi moi (renewal) and international integration, the Vietnamese revolutionary press has always played a pioneering role on the ideological and cultural front, he said.
The Party leader's working session with the standing boards of the Party Committees of HCM City, Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong, the VNA General Director's remarks on the occasion of the 19th OANA General Assembly, the launch of new NIC - Google initiatives aimed at bolstering AI entrepreneurship and digital literacy in Vietnam are among news highlights June 18.
Vietnam and Indonesia reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening cooperation in combating terrorism as it remains a threat to peace, security, and stability across their respective nations, the broader region, and the international community.
The Vietnamese representative also emphasised the shared responsibility of relevant parties to build trust, enhance cooperation, and jointly manage the risks of conflict, thus safeguarding long-term peace and stability in the East Sea.
The National Assembly on June 18 passed the law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality, with 408 out of 420 participating deputies voting in favour, accounting for 85.36% of the total.
The Party leader asked the new HCM City to embrace a multi-centre and integrated urban ecosystem where each development pole functions as a link complementary to and intelligently connected with each other in a harmonious whole.
The resolutions issued by the PM as well as ministries and ministry-level agencies reassign responsibility for 346 administrative procedures - 18 from district to provincial levels, 278 to commune level, and 50 eliminated.
Legislators are due to pass several amended laws, including the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Economical and Efficient Use of Energy, and the Law amending and supplementing several articles of the Law on Product and Goods Quality.
Vietnamese localities' readiness to implement the two-tier local administration model, the evacuation of 18 Vietnamese citizens from Iran, Petrovietnam's 11th ranking in the 2025 Fortune Southeast Asia 500 are among news highlights on June 17 evening.
