Vietnam, Spain Foreign Ministries hold 6th political consultation to deepen Strategic Partnership
WVR - On November 5, in Madrid, at the headquarters of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belío co-chaired the 6th Political Consultation between Vietnam and Spain.
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In an open and trusting atmosphere, both sides informed each other about the socio-economic situation of their respective countries; reviewed and comprehensively assessed the cooperation results since the last consultation, and agreed on specific directions and measures to further deepen the Vietnam - Spain Strategic Partnership framework, as well as extensively exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern.
Both parties expressed satisfaction with the positive and dynamic developments in bilateral relations in recent times across various fields: politics - diplomacy, trade - investment, defence - security, health, culture, education, and tourism.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Spanish Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs and Global Affairs Diego Martínez Belío co-chaired the 6th Political Consultation between Vietnam and Spain. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Both sides emphasised the need to further enhance the role of the foreign ministries of both countries to strengthen connections and promote comprehensive Vietnam – Spain cooperation, especially as the two countries actively move towards the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027.
Congratulating Vietnam on its impressive socio-economic development achievements recently, Secretary of State Diego Martínez Belío highly appreciated Vietnam's increasingly elevated role and position in the region.
The two sides agreed to enhance contact and exchange delegations at all levels, especially high-level; regularly maintain and effectively promote bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Both parties committed to closely coordinating and actively implementing the agreements reached, particularly in making the bilateral relationship more substantive and effective.
Regarding economic cooperation, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang appreciated the positive growth momentum of bilateral trade turnover; suggested that both sides continue to coordinate to fully and effectively implement the Vietnam - EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).
The Deputy Minister requested Spain to continue to voice support and urge the European Commission (EC) to soon lift the “yellow card” IUU on Vietnamese seafood; and actively lobby EU member states to soon ratify the Vietnam - EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), thereby creating a solid legal framework favorable for the business communities of both countries to expand investment and business.
Agreeing with Vietnam's proposals, Secretary of State Diego Martínez Belío welcomed the success of the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade, and Investment Cooperation in Madrid (October 2025) and expressed the desire for both sides to soon organize the second meeting in 2027.
The Secretary of State suggested that both sides continue to promote cooperation projects in Spain's areas of strength and in line with Vietnam's development needs, such as renewable energy and transport infrastructure.
Both sides also agreed to promote professional exchanges in health, education - training, focusing on expanding the teaching of Spanish in Vietnam; closely coordinate to organize cultural - tourism promotion events in each country in 2027 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Secretary of State Diego Martínez Belío affirmed that the Spanish Government will continue to pay attention and create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Spain, enhancing their role as a solid bridge of friendship between the two nations.
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| Both sides agreed to promote professional exchanges in health, education - training, focusing on expanding the teaching of Spanish in Vietnam. (Photo: Bao Chi) |
Discussing international and regional situations, both sides shared a consistent view supporting multilateralism, emphasising respect for international law and the United Nations Charter, and resolving disputes peacefully. Both parties agreed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations and within the ASEAN - EU strategic partnership framework.
On the East Sea issue, both sides reaffirmed their stance supporting the maintenance of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the region; resolving disputes and disagreements by peaceful means, through dialogue, based on respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
Concluding the Political Consultation, both sides agreed to organize the 6th Deputy Foreign Minister-level Vietnam – Spain Political Consultation in Hanoi at an appropriate time.
Also during the visit, on November 6, Deputy Minister Le Thi Thu Hang visited and worked at the Diplomatic Academy of Spain. The two sides exchanged directions to promote cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Spain and the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam, especially in training and fostering diplomatic staff, research, and academic exchanges; and explored the possibility of implementing scholarship programs, creating conditions for Vietnamese students to learn Spanish and Spanish students to learn Vietnamese.
On the same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang had a working session with the Vietnamese Embassy in Spain and representatives of the Vietnamese community in the country.
