Kuwait wishes to expand substantive cooperation in many fields with Vietnam.

Photo caption — Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang. Photo: VNA

During the visit, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang worked with Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Alahmad Al-Sabah, Deputy Minister of Finance Saad Al-Alati and CEO of the Investment Authority Sheikh Saud Salem Al-Sabah.

Permanent Deputy Minister Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Alahmad Al-Sabah warmly welcomed Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang on his working visit to Kuwait in the context of bilateral relations moving to a new stage after nearly 50 years of establishing diplomatic relations. Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to bilateral relations with Kuwait in particular and the countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) in general; in the context of extremely complicated developments in the world and the regions, Vietnam and Kuwait need to further promote cooperation to contribute to the development of each country, build an independent and self-reliant economy, coordinate to continue promoting multilateralism, compliance with international law, peace and stability in the region and the world.

The Deputy Foreign Minister of Kuwait emphasized that as the first GCC country to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam in 1976 and currently the Chair of the GCC in 2025, Kuwait attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam, hoping that the relationship between the two countries will not only focus on the fields of energy and oil and gas but also expand substantially in all fields, especially investment, trade and tourism; affirming that in its position as Chair of the GCC in 2025, it will support and promote the early launch of negotiations on the GCC - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.

* At the 5th Political Consultation, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang and Assistant Minister Sameeh Issa Gohar Hayat focused on assessing the results achieved in bilateral relations in recent years, discussing many measures to promote the relationship to develop more deeply and effectively in the coming time. The two sides acknowledged that political and diplomatic relations continue to maintain a good momentum of development, and economic, trade and investment cooperation has many bright spots. Kuwait is currently Vietnam's largest trade and investment partner among the GCC countries.

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang congratulated Kuwait on its important achievements in implementing Vision 2035; welcomed Kuwait's role as an intermediary and conciliator in promoting peaceful solutions to conflicts in the region; affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the friendly and cooperative relationship with Kuwait and wishes to bring the relationship between the two countries to a new stage in the context of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026.

Assistant Minister Sameeh Issa Gohar Hayat affirmed that Kuwait attaches great importance to its relations with Vietnam, highly appreciated Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang's visit to Kuwait and co-chaired the Political Consultation meeting between the two Foreign Ministries. The Assistant Minister shared his deep impressions of his visit to Vietnam in December 2024 and witnessed Vietnam's dynamic development; expressed his admiration for Vietnam's economic growth results, development policies and breakthrough reforms. Mr. Sameeh Issa Gohar Hayat pledged to promote market opening for Vietnamese agricultural products, support the early start of negotiations on the GCC-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (FTA), be ready to provide ODA for social security projects and consider increasing investment in Vietnam; continue to prioritize maintaining the number of Arabic language scholarships for Vietnamese students and strengthen cooperation in the Halal field.

Affirming their determination to bring the Vietnam-Kuwait bilateral relationship to a new height and expand cooperation in various fields, the two Deputy Ministers agreed to strongly promote the exchange of high-level delegations; negotiate and sign important agreements and treaties in trade, investment, food security, tourism, culture, and open direct flights. The two sides agreed to coordinate in organizing cultural exchange activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2026. The two sides also agreed to strengthen coordination and support each other in multilateral, international and regional forums, especially within the framework of the United Nations, to act as a bridge to promote cooperation between Vietnam and the GCC, between Kuwait and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), etc.

Acknowledging the efforts of both sides and Japan regarding the Nghi Son Refinery in recent times, the two Deputy Ministers affirmed their determination to promote exchanges between relevant parties to seek comprehensive solutions to resolve the remaining issues of the Refinery.

* At the meeting with the Kuwaiti Deputy Minister of Finance, Chairman of the Kuwaiti Subcommittee of the Vietnam-Kuwait Intergovernmental Committee, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang highly appreciated the important contribution of the Ministry of Finance in promoting multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Kuwait. The two sides agreed to soon organize the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee to jointly assess bilateral relations in all fields. Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang informed about financial investment opportunities in Vietnam, especially at the International Financial Centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, calling on the Kuwaiti Ministry of Finance to encourage and create conditions for Kuwaiti financial investors to learn about and exploit opportunities in the market of more than 100 million people and Vietnam's deep international integration.

* At the meeting with the Executive Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA), Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang informed about Vietnam's development achievements, investment environment, Vietnam's strategic goals and determination in the coming time; affirmed that Vietnam wishes KIA and Kuwaiti investors to increase investment in Vietnam. The Executive Director of the Kuwait Investment Authority said that KIA is interested in the Vietnamese market and wishes to visit, learn about, and discuss specific investment opportunities and projects.

* During the working trip, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang and Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Jarrah Jaber Alahmad Al-Sabah attended the solemn celebration of the 80th National Day of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam organized by the Vietnamese Embassy in Kuwait.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/kuwaitmong-muonmo-rong-hop-tac-thuc-chat-tren-nhieu-linh-vucvoi-viet-nam-20250923122257709.htm