Witnessed by Deputy PM and FM Minh, Ferreira and Minister of Transport Trương Quang Nghĩa sign an agreement on maritime shipping co-operation between the two governments. — VNA/VNS Photo Nguyễn Khang

HÀ NỘI – Việt Nam recognises Brazil’s growing position in the international arena and wants to enhance co-operation with the South American country, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh has said.

During his talks with Brazilian Foreign Minister Aloysio Nunes Ferreira in Hà Nội yesterday, Minh applauded the guest’s official visit to Việt Nam, which takes place with the two nations celebrating the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership.

While expressing admiration for Việt Nam’s achievements over the past three decades of reform, Ferreira affirmed that Brazil has advocated a foreign policy of diversification of relations, considering Việt Nam a leading partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both ministers said that Việt Nam-Brazil ties have been developing positively in all spheres, including politics with regular visits and meetings by senior leaders, ministries and sectors.

Two-way trade has increased by three times since 2010 to US$3.1 billion in 2016 and reached $1.9 billion in the first seven months of 2017, up 9 per cent from the same period last year.

The ministers affirmed that the two countries still hold potential for stronger co-operation, particularly in agricultural and aquatic product production and processing, manufacturing, bioenergetics, infrastructure construction, aviation and transport.

The ministers agreed to increase the exchange of visits by senior leaders, ministries and sectors and support relations through various channels.

Additionally, Minh asked Ferreira to convey President Trần Đại Quang’s greetings and invitation to Brazilian President Michel Temer to visit Việt Nam. Ferreira also handed over President Temer’s letter of invitation to President Quang to visit Brazil in 2018 to strengthen the bilateral partnership.

The ministers urged the need to uphold the mechanism of the Inter-governmental Committee for Economic-Commercial and Scientific-Technological Co-operation and to hold its third meeting in the first half of 2018.

They agreed to regularly maintain political consultations at the foreign deputy minister level and speed up negotiations towards signing a frame agreement on technical co-operation, an agreement on investment support and co-operation, and a government-level memorandum of understanding on educational co-operation, among others.

The two sides also agreed to attempt to raise the bilateral trade value to $10 billion in the next few years and promote ties in culture, training, tourism and sports.

The two sides promised to support each other at international organisations and multilateral forums, and foster ties between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR).

Minh took this occasion to thank the Brazilian Government for backing Việt Nam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in 2020-2021 and urged Brazil to soon recognise Việt Nam’s market economy.

The ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern. Regarding the East Sea issue, the ministers supported the settlement of sovereignty disputes through peaceful measures, on the basis of full respect for the diplomatic and legal process and in accordance with international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

Minister Ferreira invited Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Minh to officially visit Brazil at a convenient time.

Earlier the same day, witnessed by Deputy PM and FM Minh, Ferreira and Minister of Transport Trương Quang Nghĩa signed an agreement on maritime shipping co-operation between the two governments. — VNS