Deputy PM Hue active in Brazil to boost relations

Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue met with President of Brazil Michel Temer and held working sessions with the host’s ministers during his official visit to the South American country from July 2-3 with the aim of boosting bilateral relations.

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets with Brazilian President Michel Temer. (Photo: MOFA)
Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue (L) meets with Brazilian President Michel Temer. (Photo: MOFA)

At the meeting with the Brazilian President, Deputy PM Hue affirmed that Vietnam appreciates the role and position of Brazil in the international arena and attaches importance to its ties with the Latin American country, saying that the comprehensive partnership between the two has achieved important progress.

The guest informed his host that during his visit, the two sides had reached several important agreements to help create a legal framework and set the foundation for enterprises from both sides to intensify cooperation in trade and investment.

President Temer praised Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, affirming that Brazil highly appreciates the great importance of Vietnam's position in Southeast Asia. He also spoke highly of the importance of the Vietnamese official’s visit in further consolidating and expanding their bilateral friendship and multi-faceted cooperation.

He praised the two countries' increased cooperation at regional and international forums, while expressing his hope that Vietnam would act as a bridge for Brazil to promote cooperation with the wider ASEAN Community.

During his visit to Brazil, Deputy PM Hue met with Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira, during which he said that friendship, trust and political will are an important basis to deepen the bilateral comprehensive partnership.

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue holds a working session with Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira. (Photo: MOFA)

He affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to relations with Brazil and, through this relationship, fosters further cooperation with the Common Market of the South (MERCOSUR).

The Brazilian foreign minister stressed that the Vietnamese Deputy PM’s visit will help strengthen mutual trust, and open a new page in bilateral ties ahead of the celebrations of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2019.

The two sides agreed to continue to promote the development of a legal framework for bilateral relations, including a framework agreement on technical cooperation, and information sharing on tax towards the signing of a double taxation avoidance agreement. They vowed to make full use of existing cooperative mechanisms, such as the Inter-Governmental Cooperation Committee and political consultation between the two Foreign Ministries to work out specific initiatives for promoting their bilateral ties and collaboration at international organisations and forums.

Meeting with Minister of Industry, Foreign Trade and Service Marcos Jorge, Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue said that with their high complementarity, the two economies have much potential for development. Deputy PM Hue said both countries should intensify delegation exchange, organise more trade and investment promotion activities and collaborate in harmonising standards.

He mentioned the strong commodities of the two sides, such as Vietnam’s tra fish and shrimp and Brazil’s beef, saying that agricultural and aquatic products should be facilitated to approach each other's markets. He proposed that Brazil avoid levying high duties on Vietnam’s stainless steel, and called on the host for an early recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status.

Minister Marcos Jorge suggested the two countries hold negotiations on the signing of an investment protection agreement. He agreed to increase trade promotion, and pledged to push for the Brazilian Government’s recognition of Vietnam’s status as a market economy in 2018. The minister also called for Vietnam’s support in negotiations for a trade agreement between Brazil and ASEAN.

While meeting with Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Supply Blairo Maggi, Deputy PM Hue suggested Brazil create favourable conditions for Vietnamese farm produce, including tra, basa and shrimp, to enter the Brazilian market, affirming that many Vietnamese agricultural products have overcome the harshest technical barriers.

The Brazilian minister agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in agriculture, including drafting legal documents to serve as the foundation for cooperation. Brazil has experience in developing sustainable agriculture and is willing to transfer that experience to Vietnam, he said. The host minister also suggested that the two sides collaborate in food hygiene and safety and quarantine in order to facilitate the export of agricultural products to each other’s markets.

Deputy PM Vuong Dinh Hue witnesses the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Ministries of Transport of both countries. (Photo: MOFA)

On the occasion, Deputy PM Hue witnessed the signing of several cooperation agreements between the two countries, including a governmental agreement on aviation cooperation, a memorandum of understanding on agricultural cooperation and another on cooperation between the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and Brazilian Trade and Investment Promotion Agency.

Deputy PM Hue and Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira also co-chaired a press conference, during which they stressed the two governments’ determination to boost their bilateral comprehensive collaboration.

Prior to leaving the capital city of Brasilia for Sao Paulo, Deputy PM Hue visited the Embassy of Vietnam in Brazil.