Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez reaffirms Spain’s high regard for promoting cooperative relations with Vietnam
WVR - On the evening of June 30 (local time), within the framework of attending the Fourth International Conference on Finance for Development (FfD4) and working in Sevilla, Spain, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez.
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| Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc met with Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez. |
At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc conveyed the warm regards of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính to the Prime Minister of Spain and congratulated Spain on hosting the Fourth International Conference on Financing for Development (FfD4). He expressed confidence that the success of the conference would make an important contribution to shaping frameworks and priorities for financial cooperation, thereby accelerating the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc expressed his delight at the increasingly positive development of bilateral relations across various fields, as demonstrated by frequent high-level visits and meetings, particularly the recent visit to Vietnam by the Spanish Prime Minister.
Welcoming Vietnam’s decision to send a high-level delegation to attend the FfD4 Conference, the Spanish Prime Minister reaffirmed Spain’s high regard for promoting cooperative relations with Vietnam, identifying the country as one of Spain's priority partners in Southeast Asia.
Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez recalled the discussions held with Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính during his recent visit to Vietnam and their meeting on the sidelines of the 3rd UN Ocean Conference in France (June 2025). He emphasized that there remains significant potential for further cooperation between the two countries, especially in the economic sector.
The two leaders agreed to continue directing relevant ministries and agencies to promptly implement the key outcomes and cooperation agreements reached by the two countries’ senior leaders.
On this occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Ho Duc Phoc reiterated Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s invitation to Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez and other senior Spanish leaders to attend the signing ceremony of the United Nations Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes, which will be held in Hanoi in October 2025.
The same day, the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister had a meeting with Ville Tavio, Finland’s Minister for Foreign Trade and Development, during which he affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Finland, an important partner within the European Union.
On behalf of the Vietnamese Government and people, he expressed sincere appreciation for the valuable support and assistance that the Finnish Government and people have extended to Vietnam in its socio-economic development and international integration.
For his part, Minister Tavio commended Vietnam’s current socio-economic achievements and affirmed that Vietnam is a key partner for Finland in Southeast Asia.
Concurring with Deputy Prime Minister Phoc’s view that there remains ample room to expand bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation, the Finnish minister proposed enhancing collaboration in sectors where Finland holds strengths and Vietnam has demand, such as clean water management, communications, and shipbuilding.
He also expressed Finland’s interest in strengthening energy cooperation and affirmed readiness to support Vietnam in accessing EU projects and preferential credit programmes to facilitate the country’s energy transition.
The two sides expressed satisfaction with the positive development of Vietnam–Finland relations across multiple areas, including politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, development cooperation, education, and training. They agreed to promote exchanges of delegations, particularly at high levels, to bolster political trust and create momentum for enhanced cooperation in various sectors. They also pledged to intensify trade exchanges and maximise the benefits of the EU–Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
Deputy Prime Minister Phoc called on Finland to encourage the remaining EU member states to soon ratify the EU–Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and to support the European Commission in lifting the “yellow card” warning on Vietnam’s seafood exports. He affirmed that Vietnam is committed to creating a favourable environment for foreign investors, including those from Finland, in line with Vietnamese law.
Emphasising the importance of enhanced regional and multilateral cooperation, the two leaders agreed to continue close coordination and mutual support at regional and global multilateral forums
(Source: Embassy of Vietnam in Spain)
