This will usher Vietnam-Qatar relations into a new, stronger, more comprehensive, and deeper stage of trust.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son recently gave an interview to the ASIAN Telegraph (Qatar) on the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to the State of Qatar.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son

Could you please tell us about the significance and results of the visit of Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to Qatar?

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son: Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has just successfully concluded his official visit to the State of Qatar. The visit is an important milestone in relations between Vietnam and Qatar and has the following special significance:

Firstly , this is the first visit of a Vietnamese head of government to Qatar in 15 years, affirming the strong desire and determination of the leaders and people of both countries to bring Vietnam-Qatar relations into a new, stronger, more comprehensive, and deeper stage of trust, with more opportunities, as the Emir of Qatar shared, "Vietnam-Qatar relations have no limits."

Secondly , the visit elevated the relationship between the two countries. The agreement between Vietnam and Qatar to promote the elevation of relations to a new level in the near future has created momentum for the comprehensive development of friendly relations and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, opening opportunities for both sides to strengthen sharing and coordination within broader multilateral frameworks, such as the United Nations, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, and ASEAN.

Prime Minister of the State of Qatar Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jasim Al-Thani presided over the official welcoming ceremony for Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation on their official visit to the State of Qatar - Photo: VGP

Thirdly , the visit demonstrated that, with a new mindset and a long-term strategic vision, the two countries can fully exploit each other's potential and advantages to cooperate and develop together. For Qatar, it's an opportunity to expand the market for its exports to a growing market of 101 million people, while for Vietnam, it's about attracting more investment from Qatar. At the same time, both sides are determined to expand cooperation in priority areas such as clean energy, green transformation, and digital transformation, bringing concrete and practical benefits to both countries in the future.

The visit of the Vietnamese Prime Minister to Qatar was a great success, yielding many important and substantive results that contributed to consolidating and strengthening the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries. The main results can be seen as follows:

Firstly , during the visit, several important documents were adopted, including the Joint Communiqué between Vietnam and Qatar, and six cooperation agreements in the fields of diplomacy, justice, trade and investment, transportation, sports, and business cooperation, laying the foundation for promoting cooperation in all areas between the two countries.

Affirming that there are no limits in relations with Vietnam, the Emir of Qatar stated that Qatar is always open to cooperation with Vietnam and suggested that the two sides jointly explore areas of cooperation. - Photo: VGP

Secondly , the visit deepened political trust and strengthened the good personal relationship between the high-level leaders of the two countries. The meetings and contacts between the Vietnamese Prime Minister and the Qatari leaders took place in a sincere, trusting, substantive, and mutually understanding atmosphere, affirming the determination to develop bilateral relations in a substantive, effective, and long-lasting manner.

Thirdly , the visit yielded many substantive and groundbreaking results in the areas of economic, trade, and investment cooperation. Both sides agreed to strive to increase bilateral trade turnover in the coming period; to study the establishment of a joint working group on trade; to consider the possibility of building a Vietnamese product exhibition center in Qatar; and to promote cooperation in the financial sector...

Fourth , the visit created new momentum, opening up many opportunities for cooperation between Vietnam and Qatar in various fields, including new and potential areas. Besides the goal of making traditional areas such as security, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges a solid foundation for long-term friendship and cooperation, the two countries identified clean energy, green transformation, digital transformation, and the development of the Halal industry in Vietnam as pillars of "future cooperation."

Speaker of the Parliament of Qatar Hassan bin Abdulla warmly welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on his official visit to the State of Qatar - Photo: VGP

Could you please tell us in which areas the two countries can strengthen cooperation?

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son: Vietnam and Qatar have many opportunities and potentials to further strengthen bilateral cooperation for the prosperity of the people of both countries and for peace, stability, and development in each region. The key is to realize a new mindset, a long-term strategic vision, and the determination of the leaders and people of both countries to develop the relationship in this new phase. I believe that Vietnam and Qatar can now focus on deepening bilateral relations in the following key areas:

First and foremost is the energy and renewable energy sector. Qatar, with its abundant oil and gas resources, financial strength, and technology, can cooperate with Vietnam in developing energy and renewable energy projects, building liquefied natural gas (LNG) storage centers to meet the consumption needs of Vietnam's 101 million consumers and expanding supply to regional customers.

Secondly, the trade and investment sector also has significant potential for growth. Vietnam, with its rapidly developing economy, attractive investment environment, and open policies, could be an appealing destination for Qatari investors in areas such as green transformation, digital transformation, and high-tech agriculture. Vietnam has established itself as the world's 35th largest economy and is among the top 20 countries with the largest trade volume globally. Vietnam is a crucial link in 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) connecting with 60 economies, including many major economies in the region and the world, making it a top preferred investment destination among emerging and developing countries in the Asia-Pacific region.

Thirdly , Halal cooperation is also a potential area for collaboration. Both countries aim to develop the Halal industry into a key sector of their respective economies. Vietnam has issued a strategy to strengthen international cooperation to develop the Vietnamese Halal industry by 2030; Qatar has also launched a Halal Livelihood program to make Qatar a global hub for the Halal industry in the near future. Both sides need to maximize the exploitation of complementary areas where Vietnam has needs and Qatar has strengths.

Fourth , education and research are also promising areas. Vietnam and Qatar can organize student and faculty exchange programs, and cooperate in scientific and technological research to improve the level and competitiveness of both sides.

Fifth , culture and tourism are also areas that need to be better exploited. Both countries have diverse cultures and are very interested in cultural development. Vietnam and Qatar can organize exchange events and tourism promotion activities to enhance understanding and cooperation between the people of the two countries.

During his official visit to the State of Qatar, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jasim Al-Thani and Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh witnessed the signing of cooperation documents between the two countries - Photo: VGP

- How would you assess Qatar's role in the region?

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son: We highly appreciate Qatar's role and position in the region, not only for its economic contributions but also for its political, diplomatic, and cultural contributions.

Economically, Qatar possesses abundant energy resources, particularly liquefied natural gas, which makes a significant contribution to the economic development of the region and the world.

In terms of politics and diplomacy, Qatar has played and continues to play an active role in finding satisfactory solutions to regional issues. With its flexible and pragmatic foreign policy, Qatar has demonstrated its role as a mediator, promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and striving to find solutions to many regional conflicts, contributing to maintaining peace and stability.

In terms of culture, sports, and education, Qatar has supported educational and cultural programs in other countries in the region and around the world, contributing to UNESCO. Hosting major international sporting events, such as the 2022 World Cup, the 2023 Asian Cup, and more recently the Forum for Dialogue and Cooperation in Asia with the theme "Sports Diplomacy," once again demonstrates Qatar's efforts in building cultural bridges, promoting people-to-people exchanges, and contributing to peace and stability in the region and the world.

I believe that with the success of this visit by Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, the cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Qatar will continue to develop strongly and comprehensively. Vietnam and Qatar will cooperate to build a sustainable partnership, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in both regions and the world.

Source: https://baotainguyenmoitruong.vn/dua-quan-he-viet-nam-qatar-buoc-vao-mot-giai-doan-moi-manh-me-hon-toan-dien-hon-tin-cay-sau-sac-hon-382627.html