Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan met with the First Vice President of the Spanish Senate.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan and First Vice President of the Spanish Senate Javier Maroto. (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly expressed his delight at the progress in the Vietnam-Spain Strategic Partnership, especially in economics and trade, in which Spain is Vietnam's fifth largest trade partner in the EU and Vietnam is Spain's largest trade partner in ASEAN; highly appreciated the results of the Spanish Prime Minister's visit to Vietnam in April 2025, as well as the fact that senior leaders of the two sides maintain regular contact and exchanges.

Regarding the future direction, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan suggested that the two sides continue to increase delegation exchanges at all levels, promote relations between the people and the National Assembly of the two countries, including cooperation at the Committee level and the establishment of the Spain-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group in the Spanish Parliament.

Affirming that the Vietnamese National Assembly is ready to act as a bridge between the Spanish Parliament, AIPA and regional parliamentary organizations, the Vice President of the National Assembly suggested that the two sides strengthen coordination at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums.

In the economic and trade field, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly emphasized the importance of fully and effectively implementing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). At the same time, he highly appreciated Spain's ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and expected that some remaining EU members will soon ratify it.

Regarding the EU's IUU "yellow card" applied to Vietnam's seafood export industry, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly said that Vietnam is currently making great efforts to transform its fisheries sector. The Vietnamese National Assembly has amended and supplemented a number of legal regulations to comply with the European Commission (EC)'s recommendations on IUU. Accordingly, the Vice Chairman of the National Assembly requested the Spanish Parliament to support Vietnam in this matter for the benefit of EU consumers.

On this occasion, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Le Minh Hoan conveyed the invitation of Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man to the President of the House of Representatives and the President of the Senate of Spain to visit Vietnam in the coming time.

First Vice President of the Spanish Senate Javier Maroto shared positive assessments of the development in relations between the two countries, affirming that Spain always considers Vietnam one of its important partners in the region. Vice President Javier Maroto said that he visited Vietnam many years ago as a tourist, and since then has always maintained good feelings for “one of the most beautiful countries in the world”.

Vice President Javier Maroto shared that the purpose of his visit to the 46th AIPA General Assembly is to seek new opportunities to further strengthen cooperation between Spain and the region, in which Spain highly values AIPA and wishes to become an Observer at the 2026 General Assembly in the Philippines.

Regarding Vietnam, Vice President Javier Maroto affirmed his support for strengthening relations between the two countries' parliaments, and conveyed the invitation of the Spanish Parliamentary leader to the Vietnamese National Assembly leader to visit the Spanish Parliament and shared the need to soon establish a friendship parliamentary group. Vice President Javier Maroto agreed on the need to continue promoting economic-trade cooperation and cultural-people exchanges between the two countries; and is ready to cooperate and support Vietnam in green transformation.

Regarding the EU's "yellow card" issue, the Vice President of the Spanish Senate acknowledged Vietnam's concerns and said he would take measures within his capacity to help raise awareness in the European Parliament about this issue, thereby being able to support Vietnam.

On this occasion, the two sides discussed international and regional issues of mutual concern. Regarding the East Sea issue, Vice President Javier Maroto affirmed that Spain supports ASEAN's viewpoints and principles.

WISHES

Source: https://nhandan.vn/pho-chu-tich-quoc-hoi-le-minh-hoan-gap-pho-chu-tich-thu-nhat-thuong-vien-tay-ban-nha-post909366.html