Bringing Vietnam-Qatar relations into a new phase, stronger, more comprehensive, with deeper trust

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

Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son

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

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

Firstly , this is the first visit of the head of the Vietnamese Government to Qatar in 15 years, affirming the desire and high determination of the leaders and people of the two countries in bringing the Vietnam-Qatar relationship into a new phase, stronger, more comprehensive, with deeper trust, with more open opportunities, as the Emir of Qatar shared, "Vietnam-Qatar relations are limitless".

Second , the visit has elevated the relationship between the two countries. The agreement between Vietnam and Qatar to promote the early elevation of relations to a new height in the coming time has created momentum for comprehensive development of friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, opening up opportunities for the two sides to enhance sharing and coordination in larger multilateral frameworks, such as at the United Nations, the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), the Arab League, ASEAN, etc.

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 a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation on an official visit to the State of Qatar - Photo: VGP

Third , the visit shows that with a new mindset and a strategic, long-term vision, the two countries can fully exploit each other's potential and advantages to cooperate and develop together. For Qatar, it is an opportunity to expand the market for export goods to a growing market of 101 million people, and for Vietnam, it is to increase investment attraction from Qatar. At the same time, the two sides are determined to expand cooperation in priority areas such as clean energy, green transformation, digital transformation, etc., bringing specific and practical benefits to both countries in the coming time.

The visit to Qatar by the Prime Minister of Vietnam was a great success with many important and substantive results, contributing to consolidating and enhancing the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries. The main results can be seen as follows:

Firstly , within the framework of the visit, many important documents were approved, namely the Joint Communique between Vietnam and Qatar, 6 cooperation documents in the fields of diplomacy, justice, trade-investment, transportation, sports, cooperation between enterprises..., creating the basis for promoting cooperation in all fields between the two countries.

Affirming that there are no limits in relations with Vietnam, the Emir of Qatar said that Qatar is always open to cooperation activities with Vietnam, suggesting that the two sides seek common areas of cooperation - Photo: VGP

Second , the visit deepened political trust and strengthened the good personal relationship between the two countries' senior leaders. The meetings and contacts between the Vietnamese Prime Minister and the Qatari leaders took place in an atmosphere of sincerity, trust, substance and mutual understanding, affirming the determination to develop bilateral relations in a practical, effective and long-term manner.

Third , the visit achieved many substantial and breakthrough results in the fields of economic, trade and investment cooperation, in which the two sides agreed to make efforts to increase bilateral trade turnover in the coming time; study the establishment of a joint working group on trade; consider the possibility of building a center to display Vietnamese products in Qatar; promote cooperation in the financial sector...

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

Chairman of the Qatari Parliament 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 what 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 potential 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 the new thinking, strategic and long-term vision and determination to develop the relationship of the leaders and people of the two countries in the new phase of the relationship. I believe that Vietnam and Qatar can now focus on deepening bilateral relations in the following key areas:

First of all , the energy and renewable energy sector. Qatar, with its rich oil and gas resources, financial and technological potential, can cooperate with Vietnam in developing energy and renewable energy projects, building a liquefied gas storage center to meet the consumption needs of the 101 million Vietnamese consumer market and expanding supply to regional customers.

Second, the trade and investment sector also has great potential to be promoted. With a rapidly growing economy, an attractive investment environment, and open-door policies, Vietnam can be an attractive destination for Qatari investors in the fields of green transformation, digital transformation, high-tech agriculture, etc. Vietnam has affirmed its position as the 35th largest economy in the world, among the 20 countries with the largest trade turnover in the world. Vietnam is an important link in 17 free trade agreements (FTAs) connecting with 60 economies, including many large economies in the region and the world, and is a top preferred investment destination among emerging and developing countries in Asia-Pacific.

Third , Halal cooperation is also a potential direction for cooperation. Both countries are aiming to build the Halal industry into an important industry of each country's economy. Vietnam has issued a strategy on enhancing international cooperation to develop Vietnam's Halal industry by 2030; Qatar also issued a Halal Livelihood Program to make Qatar a global Halal industry center in the near future. The two sides need to maximize the exploitation of complementary fields, where Vietnam has demand and Qatar has strengths.

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

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

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

- How do 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 with its economic contributions but also with its political, diplomatic and cultural contributions.

Economically, Qatar possesses rich energy resources, especially liquefied natural gas, contributing greatly to the economic development of the region and the world.

In terms of politics and diplomacy, Qatar has been playing an active role in finding satisfactory solutions to regional issues. With a flexible and pragmatic foreign policy, Qatar has demonstrated its role as a mediator, promoting dialogue, reducing tensions, and making efforts 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... or recently the Asian Dialogue and Cooperation Forum with the theme "Sports Diplomacy" once again shows 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 work together to build a sustainable partnership, bringing practical benefits to the people of both countries and contributing to peace, cooperation and development of the two regions as well as 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