Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang (right) had talks with First Deputy PM of Spain Nadia Calviño in Madrid. — Photo from the Việt Nam Government Portal

MADRID — Deputy Prime Minister Trần Lưu Quang and First Deputy PM of Spain Nadia Calviño had talks in Madrid on March 3, affirming the determination to develop the two countries’ “strategic partnership towards the future” on par with potential.

At the meeting, part of the Vietnamese Deputy PM’s official visit to the European country, the two sides applauded the recent strides in their countries’ relations.

They agreed to increase mutual visits at all levels, effectively carry out bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and fruitfully implement the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to raise bilateral trade to US$5 billion.

Deputy PM Quang said Việt Nam always attached importance to the “strategic partnership towards the future” with Spain. His counterpart also noted that Spain respected Việt Nam’s stature and role in the Asia-Pacific region.

Quang asked Spain to create optimum conditions for Việt Nam’s agricultural and fishery products to access its market and the EU; encourage Spanish businesses to boost high-quality investment in such fields as infrastructure, renewable energy, transport, and information technology in Việt Nam; and support the European Commission’s removal of the IUU fishing warning for Việt Nam’s fishery export.

He also called on the Spanish Government to continue providing favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community, which he described as an important bridge for the countries’ friendship.

At the talks, Calviño highlighted Spanish enterprises’ growing attention to the Vietnamese market and highly valued Việt Nam’s political stability and favourable investment and business climate.

She agreed to maintain development assistance for the Southeast Asian country.

She agreed to consider the opening of a direct air route between the two countries, noting that Việt Nam is a favourite tourism destination of many Spanish people.

Calviño added Việt Nam had been striving to develop sustainable fisheries. She pledged technical support for the country to improve its fisheries management system to prevent IUU fishing as requested by the EU.

Both sides also concurred in expanding cooperation in security - defence, education - training, science - technology, natural resources and environment, digital transformation, response to global challenges such as climate change and food insecurity; and in early signing of an agreement on cultural and sport cooperation to help promote mutual understanding and people-to-people exchange.

Besides, the two officials also discussed some regional and international issues of common concern. — VNS