DPM/FM Pham Binh Minh meets with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs & Cooperation of Spain, Ignacio Ybañez Rubio

The Spanish official is in Hanoi for the two countries’ fourth deputy foreign ministerial level political consultation.

Spain is currently a big EU trade partner of Viet Nam, posting a trade value of 2.9 billion USD in 2016. However, the country’s investment in Viet Nam remains below its potential.

“The Vietnamese Government will provide all possible conditions for Spanish business people to operate successfully in Viet Nam,” Deputy PM Minh said.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh meets Secretary of States and Foreign Cooperation of Spain Ignacio Ybañez Rubio. (Photo: MOFA)

On the occasion, he asked the two foreign ministries to work closely for the successful organisation of celebrations of the 40th anniversary of Viet Nam-Spain diplomatic ties in 2017, thus bringing the strategic partnership to the next level in service of their people.

Ignacio Ybañez Rubio stated that Viet Nam is always one of Spain’s important partners in the region and Span is eager for increasing its presence in Viet Nam through new agreements and cooperative projects, especially in economy.

He said he wants the two countries to continue implementing cooperation mechanisms, and coordinating in organising events to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Regarding on the East Sea (South China Sea) issue, the Secretary of State said Spain supports the settlement of disputes in the sea area through peaceful means and in compliance with international law and common norms, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

Earlier, in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Secretary of State Ignacio Ybañez Rubio affirmed wishes to reinforce the strategic partnership with Viet Nam, which was established in 2009.

He said his visit’s purpose is to deepen the relations between the two countries and Spain wants to become a close partner of Viet Nam, in particular in trade.

Spain highly values Vietnam’s role in Asia, especially in Southeast Asia. Viet Nam, the Philippines, and Indonesia are Spain’s three leading partners in ASEAN, he said.

Spain and Viet Nam signed an agreement on investment protection and an agreement on double taxation avoidance to facilitate their businesses’ investment activities.