Vietnam and Kuwait upgrade relations to Strategic Partnership

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Kuwaiti counterpart agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership and had in-depth discussions on the bilateral relationship.

On November 17, at Bayan Palace (capital of Kuwait), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah.

The Kuwaiti Prime Minister emphasized that the visit of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is a historic event, creating new momentum to promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries to a new stage of development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Photo: VNA

The two leaders assessed that bilateral relations have been continuously expanded and strengthened, especially in trade, investment, energy, education , labor and development assistance, making Kuwait a leading trade partner, an important investment and development partner of Vietnam in the Middle East region.

Facing a new development stage, with new potential and mindset, the two Prime Ministers agreed to upgrade the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership.

The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the fields of security and defense, exchange of experiences and respond to cyber security and non-traditional security challenges.

The two Prime Ministers identified economic, trade and investment cooperation as continuing to be an important pillar of the bilateral relationship, agreeing to strive to increase bilateral trade turnover to more than 12-15 billion USD by 2030.

Vietnam asked Kuwait to promote early negotiations and signing of the Vietnam - GCC FTA and consider negotiating the Vietnam - Kuwait Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).

The two sides affirmed that they will closely coordinate to improve efficiency and promote the expansion of the Nghi Son petrochemical project in the spirit of "harmonious benefits and shared risks", considering this a symbol of the strategic cooperation between the two countries, contributing significantly to ensuring energy security for both countries.

In addition, Vietnam is ready to provide oil and gas services and high-quality human resources for projects in Kuwait, expanding cooperation to a number of new projects, especially the construction of petroleum storage and transit projects in the Vietnam region.

Photo: VNA

The Kuwaiti Prime Minister welcomed investment opportunities in Vietnam and pledged to promote the Kuwait Public Investment Fund and Kuwaiti investors to implement large, strategic projects in Vietnam. The Kuwaiti Prime Minister also suggested that the two sides soon sign an air transport agreement and study the opening of direct flights.

Emphasizing the potential for food security cooperation, the Kuwaiti Prime Minister said he would promote research and investment in building agricultural production factories in Vietnam for export to Kuwait and other countries in the region. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed negotiating a long-term framework agreement on strategic commodities, including rice, to ensure food security for Kuwait and implementing projects to support the development of the Halal ecosystem in Vietnam.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah. Photo: VNA

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam welcomes and creates all favorable conditions for Kuwaiti investment funds and enterprises, including the proposal for the Kuwait Investment Authority (KIA) to invest in the International Financial Center in Vietnam.

The Kuwaiti Prime Minister pledged to expand scholarships for Vietnamese students to study new fields and majors such as STEM, basic sciences, etc. and agreed to coordinate the organization of Vietnam Days in Kuwait and Kuwait Days in Vietnam to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations (1976-2026); and study the possibility of visa exemption for citizens of the two countries.

As one of the largest humanitarian aid donors to the Gaza Strip and Syria, Kuwait welcomes Vietnam's cooperation in implementing reconstruction activities in the Middle East region.

Meeting with His Majesty King Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh thanked the King for his affection and direct guidance in promoting bilateral relations to achieve many important achievements as well as for organizing this visit.

The Prime Minister reiterated the milestones of cooperation in the relationship between the two countries: Coordination and support at multilateral forums; Kuwait is the country in the Gulf region that provides the largest ODA to Vietnam...

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with His Majesty Sheikh Meshal Al-Ahmad Al-Jaber Al-Sabah. Photo: VNA

The King of Kuwait shared that he was impressed by the beautiful country of Vietnam, with its rich four seasons, kind people, and attractive landscapes; wished to cooperate and accompany Vietnam; and considered Vietnam's interests to be Kuwait's interests.

The King and the Prime Minister agreed to orient the bilateral relationship to a strategic level, meeting the aspirations and interests of the people of the two countries.

The King affirmed that, in its role as Chair of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Kuwait is very interested in enhancing cooperation between the GCC and Vietnam and ASEAN, considering Vietnam a strategic gateway to expand cooperation with ASEAN.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes that the King will direct the Kuwait Investment Agency to increase investment in Vietnam, especially the International Financial Center in Ho Chi Minh City; and strongly promote trade. The Prime Minister also proposed promoting defense and security cooperation, cooperation in developing dual-use defense equipment, including UAVs, and participating in each other's defense exhibitions...

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/viet-nam-va-kuwait-nang-cap-quan-he-len-doi-tac-chien-luoc-2463722.html