Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Venezuela.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Foreign Minister of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela Yván Gil Pinto. (Photo; TRAN HAI)

At the reception, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the first official visit to Vietnam by Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yván Gil Pinto on the occasion of the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1989-2024); highly appreciated the efforts of the Government of President Nicolás Maduro in ensuring socio- political stability and economic recovery in recent times.

The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Venezuela and believes that Minister Y. Gil Pinto's visit to Vietnam will contribute to promoting Vietnam-Venezuela relations in the coming time, especially in areas where the two sides have potential and need for cooperation, for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace , cooperation and development in the two regions and in the world.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested that the two sides continue to coordinate closely to promote the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high-ranking leaders between the two countries; implement measures to strengthen bilateral relations agreed upon during Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's visit to Venezuela in April 2024 and the talks between the two countries' Foreign Ministers on June 8; and soon hold the next meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee to promote economic cooperation. The two countries need to continue to strengthen mutual consultation support at international organizations and multilateral forums; exchange and promote negotiations to sign cooperation documents on consular affairs, trade, investment, education and training, digital transformation and cyberspace, local twinning and people-to-people exchanges, thereby creating a favorable legal corridor, deepening and diversifying the friendship and comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Venezuela.

Regarding bilateral trade and investment relations, the Prime Minister assessed that they are still modest compared to their potential, and requested the authorities of the two countries to actively promote the exchange of business delegations, promote trade, investment and trade connections; create conditions for the two countries' strong products to access each other's markets and exploit mutually beneficial cooperation and investment opportunities.

On this occasion, the Prime Minister conveyed to the President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela - President Nicolás Maduro the greetings of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President To Lam and the Prime Minister himself, along with an invitation for the President to visit Vietnam in his capacity as head of the Party, State and Government.

For his part, Foreign Minister Iván Gil Pinto respectfully thanked Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh for taking the time to receive the delegation; conveyed the regards of President Nicolás Maduro to the Prime Minister; expressed his joy at visiting Vietnam for the first time, especially in his capacity as Venezuelan Foreign Minister; shared his admiration and congratulated Vietnam on its great achievements in innovation in all aspects.

The Minister considered Vietnam's socio-economic development and foreign affairs achievements as an example for Venezuela and affirmed that the Venezuelan Government highly values Vietnam's growing role and position in the region and internationally, and wishes to further strengthen relations across the Party, Government, National Assembly and people channels of the two countries.

Reception scene.

Minister Iván Gil Pinto also reported to the Prime Minister on the results of his meeting with Party Central Committee Secretary and Head of the Party Central Committee's External Relations Commission Le Hoai Trung and his talks with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son; he said that the two sides had in-depth discussions on issues of mutual concern, proposed specific measures and agreed on the Vietnam-Venezuela bilateral cooperation program in the coming time, especially in the fields of energy, telecommunications, construction, agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

The Minister expressed that, on the basis of trustworthy political relations, Venezuela is willing to facilitate entry visas for Vietnamese citizens to promote people-to-people exchange between the two countries.

On this occasion, the Venezuelan Foreign Minister also respectfully conveyed the regards of President Nicolás Maduro to General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and congratulations to President To Lam on assuming his new position.

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