PM receives Portuguese Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs

VGP - PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc  receives Secretary of State of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Portugal Teresa Ribeiro, Ha Noi, November 23, 2017

At the reception, the Portuguese Secretary said on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries and 500 years of first Portuguese arrival in Viet Nam, the two sides have signed a number of agreements and continue realising these documents, with focus on economic and trade relations.

The Portuguese side has discussed with Viet Nam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment measures to promote economic cooperation, she said, affirming that Portuguese firms will be interested in Viet Nam, particularly in tourism and building hotels, renewable energy, and water management.

She said she hopes that the EVFTA will be signed next year, opening up a new chapter in Viet Nam – Portugal relations.

In turn, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc suggested that Viet Nam and Portugal continue promoting their traditional relationship that started 500 years ago since the first Portuguese arrived in Viet Nam.

The PM expressed his hope that the two sides will exchange their business delegations to explore each other’s investment cooperation opportunities.

He also called on Portugal to push the European Union to sign and ratify the EU – Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to facilitate the economic-trade relations between the two countries.

Viet Nam – Portugal trade exchange hit US$350 million in 2016 but the figure is still below the two countries’ potential, Phuc noted.

                                                                                                        By Vien Nhu