Hanoi (VNA) - 🉐Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and his Venezuelan counterpart Tatiana Pugh co-chaired the 10th political consultation between the two countries’ foreign ministries in Hanoi on December 16.

Viet stressed that Vietnam always values and wishes to strengthen the traditional friendship and Comprehensive Partnership with Venezuela. He spoke highly of the progress in the bilateral friendship and cooperation since the two countries established diplomatic ties 35 years ago (December 18, 1989 - 2024), while acknowledging that the two sides still have significant room and potential to expand cooperation in the coming time. For her part, Tatiana affirmed Venezuela considers Vietnam one of its top important partners, and noted Venezuelan leaders' determination to further strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, particularly towards elevating economic and trade cooperation on par with the good political relations. She congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements and external affairs, calling Vietnam a model of overcoming challenges to build and develop the nation. Both officials highly valued the results of bilateral delegation exchanges and meetings at all levels, especially the meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro in Kazan, Russia in October, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang’s visit to Venezuela in April, and the trips to Vietnam by Executive Vice President of Venezuela Delcy Rodriguez Gomez in June, and Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) in December. The two sides reviewed cooperation and discussed orientations and measures for the time ahead, emphasising the importance of boosting collaboration in trade, oil and gas, agriculture, telecommunications, construction, people-to-people exchanges, and local-level partnership based on signed agreements. They agreed to expedite the organisation of the 4th meeting of the Vietnam-Venezuela Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee, coordinate to effectively implement the agreements signed in recent times, and promote negotiations on agreements to establish a favourable legal framework for strengthening bilateral cooperation, particularly in trade and investment. The officials held in-depth discussions on international and regional issues of common concern, agreeing to strengthen coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums, such as the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, to amplify the voices and safeguard the legitimate interests of developing countries in the international arena, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in Southeast Asia and Latin America. They shared a common stance in supporting the peaceful resolution of disputes in accordance with the UN Charter and international law./.