Vietnam and Kuwait elevate relationship to strategic partnership
WVR - Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people of both nations.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. (Source: VNA) |
On the morning of November 17 (local time), during his official visit to Kuwait, immediately following a grand official welcome ceremony at the Bayan Palace in Kuwait City, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Kuwait's Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah.
The meeting took place in a cordial, and trusting atmosphere, reflecting the sentiments and determination of the leaders of both countries to further develop the Vietnam-Kuwait relationship in a deeper, more substantive, and effective manner in the new phase.
Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah warmly welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and the high-level Vietnamese delegation on their official visit to Kuwait; emphasizing that the visit marks a new milestone in Vietnam-Kuwait relations and affirms Vietnam's strategic position in Kuwait's foreign policy.
Congratulating Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the liberation of the South and national reunification; the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2, the Emir of Kuwait highly appreciated Vietnam's outstanding achievements in socio-economic development.
Building on the foundation of deep cooperation over the past 49 years, the Emir expressed his desire for the two countries to organize meaningful activities to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Expressing a deep impression of Vietnam, a beautiful country with diverse seasons and friendly people, the Emir of Kuwait affirmed his desire to continue cooperation, stand alongside, and consider Vietnam's interests as Kuwait's interests.
The Emir affirmed his concern for the country and people of Vietnam as well as for Kuwait, always remembering the support of the Vietnamese people for Kuwait; expressing confidence that Vietnam will always be a sincere, reliable friend and develop strongly.
On this occasion, the Emir expressed deep sympathy for the damage caused by natural disasters and storms in Vietnam. The Emir wished for the two countries to expand cooperation in economic – trade – investment, food security, science – technology, and enhance coordination on international issues. He affirmed that, as the Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait particularly values promoting cooperation between the GCC and Vietnam and ASEAN, viewing Vietnam as a strategic gateway to expand cooperation with ASEAN.
Delighted to officially visit Kuwait, the first Gulf nation to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the Emir for his affection and direct guidance in promoting bilateral relations to achieve many accomplishments, as well as facilitating the organization of this visit.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposes that the Emir of Kuwait continue to focus on promoting bilateral relations to develop commensurate with new scales and requirements, emphasizing the need to strengthen and create breakthroughs. (Source: VNA) |
The Prime Minister thanked the Emir, the Royal Family, and the people of Kuwait for their respectful and thoughtful reception of the high-level Vietnamese delegation; recalling the notable cooperation milestones in recent times: The two countries have always coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums; Kuwait is the largest Gulf nation providing ODA to Vietnam; the Nghi Son petrochemical refinery project is a symbol of strategic cooperation; and notably, Kuwait's timely support of 600,000 doses of Covid-19 vaccine during Vietnam's most challenging period.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed the greetings of General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and senior Vietnamese leaders to Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and the Royal Family.
Affirming the determination of both countries to deepen their friendship, opening a new dynamic, comprehensive, and effective cooperation phase towards the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Kuwait (1976-2026), Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh agreed to elevate their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people of both nations.
On this basis, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that the Emir of Kuwait continue to focus on promoting bilateral relations to develop commensurate with new scales and requirements, emphasizing the need to strengthen and create breakthroughs.
The Prime Minister proposed nine key areas of cooperation in the coming time, including enhancing political trust between the two countries, actively exchanging high-level delegations; strengthening the energy cooperation pillar, expanding oil and gas cooperation; creating breakthroughs in investment relations.
The head of the Government hopes the Emir will direct the Kuwait Investment Authority to increase investment in Vietnam, particularly in the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City, vigorously promoting trade.
The Prime Minister also proposed that the Emir support the early negotiation and signing of the Vietnam-GCC FTA; early negotiation of the Food Security Assurance Agreement and projects supporting the development of the Halal ecosystem in Vietnam; promoting cooperation in defense, security, development of dual-use defense equipment, including UAVs, participating in each other's defense exhibitions, cooperating in addressing non-traditional security challenges, and wishing to enhance cybersecurity cooperation; strengthening cooperation in science and technology, innovation, digital transformation across sectors; boosting tourism cooperation, enhancing people-to-people exchanges, labor cooperation, culture, sports, and education and training.
The Prime Minister affirmed that with its potential and strengths, Vietnam is ready to join Kuwait in contributing to joint efforts to promote peace and reconstruction in the Middle East region.
The two leaders support strengthening political trust and enhancing coordination and consultation on regional and international issues, for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh conveyed the invitation from General Secretary To Lam and President Luong Cuong for Emir Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah to visit Vietnam. The Emir gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his desire to visit Vietnam soon.
