Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính receives Yousef Ashour Al-Sabbagh, Ambassador of Kuwait to Việt Nam. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính hosted a reception in Hà Nội on April 4 for Kuwaiti Ambassador to Việt Nam Yousef Ashour Al-Sabbagh, pressing for deeper strategic partnership and energy security cooperation.

PM Chính reaffirmed that Việt Nam always highly values its relationship with Kuwait and recalled his successful phone talks with Kuwaiti counterpart Sheikh Ahmed Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah in early March. He urged both sides to work closely on the agreed commitments, with particular focus on ensuring the safety of Vietnamese citizens in Kuwait and carrying out the 2026–30 action plan to diversify cooperation areas.

On the occasion, he conveyed greetings from Party General Secretary Tô Lâm and other high-ranking Vietnamese leaders to Kuwait’s Emir and leaders, and invited the Kuwaiti PM to pay an official visit to Việt Nam this year.

Amid complex developments in the Middle East, the host expressed concern over negative impacts on global economic and energy market stability.

He emphasised Việt Nam's consistent advocacy of the peaceful settlement of disputes through dialogue in accordance with international law, expressing his hope for a swift return to peace in the region.

On the economic front, he suggested stronger collaboration through accelerating negotiations on a free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Gulf Cooperation Council, along with enhanced business connectivity between the two countries. He also pushed for tighter coordination on energy security to tackle current challenges and ensure stable production and daily life.

Ambassador Al-Sabbagh said Kuwait’s Emir and leaders highly value the Vietnamese PM’s official visit to Kuwait in November 2025, particularly the elevation of bilateral ties to a strategic partnership, which marked an important milestone, adding that relevant ministries and agencies from both sides are actively working on the visit’s outcomes.

Kuwait remains committed to cooperating closely with Việt Nam to ensure energy security, he said, noting that the Kuwaiti Government is striving to provide necessary support for both Kuwaiti and foreign residents, including those from Việt Nam.

He pledged to act as a bridge to encourage Kuwaiti energy corporations and investment funds to expand their presence in Việt Nam, making the bilateral strategic partnership more substantive, effective and reliable. — VNS