Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets with President of Guinea-Bissau Umaro Sissoco Embaló in Hà Nội on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính met Guinea-Bissau President Umaro Sissoco Embaló who is on an official visit to Việt Nam from September 5-8, during which the two leaders agreed to work together to develop the bilateral relations in the spirit of sincere, equal, and mutually beneficial partnership.

PM expressed his belief that the first visit to Việt Nam by the President of Guinea-Bissau will create a breakthrough and open up a new phase for the bilateral relationship in the coming time.

Congratulating Guinea-Bissau on its socio-economic achievements in recent times, he hoped that the West African country will soon realise the goals set in its 2025 strategy.

For his part, Embaló expressed his admiration for the host country's outstanding development achievements, and appreciated the role and sound leadership of the Party, State and Government of Việt Nam.

The Vietnamese revolution and President Hồ Chí Minh and General Võ Nguyên Giáp had inspired the path of national liberation of the Guinea-Bissau people, he said, calling Việt Nam a model in maintaining stability, innovation, and economic development.

Briefing the guest on Việt Nam's major development orientations, and its priorities in external relations, Chính said Việt Nam treasures its traditional friendship and cooperation with African countries, continually expanding and developing the relations. He pointed out that a significant milestone in this effort is Việt Nam's official designation as an Observer of the African Union in December 2023.

According to him, cooperation between Việt Nam and Guinea-Bissau is also progressing positively based on a reliable political foundation formed by historical solidarity and mutual support in the struggle for national independence; an economic foundation built on similarities and complementary development conditions; and a foundation based on shared values, including support for and enhancement of multilateral and South-South cooperation.

Regarding future cooperation orientations, the two leaders agreed to develop relations in the spirit of "sincere, equal, and mutually beneficial partnership".

They identified three priorities for political-diplomatic cooperation, including strengthening delegation exchanges at all levels, supporting each other at multilateral forums, and promoting regional cooperation. Guinea-Bissau will support Việt Nam in advancing ties with the African Union and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), while the Southeast Asian country will bridge Guinea-Bissau's cooperation with ASEAN and its members.

PM Chính welcomed Guinea-Bissau's decision to unilaterally waive visas for Vietnamese diplomatic and official passport holders, facilitating further exchanges and cooperation between the two nations.

The President of Guinea-Bissau praised Việt Nam's successful macroeconomic management and international integration and supporting PM Chính's proposals for prioritising economic cooperation. Both sides agreed to diversify export products, focusing on cashew as a key item and expanding to other goods of strength such as rice, textiles, household goods, electrical equipment, and seafood.

They will also promote business delegation exchanges, market information sharing, and agricultural cooperation, thus helping Guinea-Bissau ensure food security and increase exports.

Additionally, the two countries will enhance collaboration in health care and education; complete and implement cooperation mechanisms and negotiate for the signing of agreements to create a favourable legal framework for bilateral cooperation.

The President of Guinea-Bissau expressed his desire to welcome PM Chính in his country and the Vietnamese leader said he will arrange a visit at an appropriate time. — VNS