Vietnam-Spain Continue to Strengthen Partnership and Cooperation

A Spanish official affirmed that the European country attaches importance to comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam while addressing a ceremony celebrating the 77th National Day of Vietnam (September 2) and the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, held in Madrid by the Vietnamese Embassy, VNA reported.

Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Xuan Hai speaks at the event. Source: Angel Lopez

In his remarks, Vietnamese Ambassador Hoang Xuan Hai emphasized the significance of the date September 2, 1945, that marked the founding of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam), along with brilliant milestones over the last 77 years, especially the country’s outstanding achievements in reform, international integration, and national development since 1986.

He noted the year 2022 holds special importance to Vietnam – Spain relations as they mark the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties and 13 years since the establishment of the strategic partnership.

Highlighting the strides in bilateral relations, he said Spain was the first EU member to set up a strategic partnership with Vietnam, in December 2009. The two sides have organized many mutual high-ranking visits and signed cooperation agreements in various spheres.

Their trade surged from nearly USD 1.2 billion in 2009 to over VND 3 billion annually in recent years. It stood at USD 2.46 billion in the first eight months of 2022. Spain is investing nearly USD 141 million in more than 80 projects in Vietnam.

Spain has also provided concessional loans and commercial credit for Vietnam to develop the economy, Hai noted.

Delegates cut the cake. Source: Angel Lopez

However, he held that bilateral cooperation has yet to live up to the strategic partnership as well as the two countries’ potential and aspirations.

The ambassador added he hopes that Vietnamese and Spanish enterprises will capitalize on the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), which already came into force, and the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) that was ratified by the Spanish parliament, to strongly promote economic, trade, and investment links.

For her part, Xiana Margarida Méndez Bértolo, Spanish Secretary of State for Trade, congratulated Vietnam on its impressive achievements over the last 77 years and described the country as a good example for other countries to refer to.

She said Vietnam is a leading ASEAN partner of her country, and that Spain attaches importance to the reinforcement of all-round cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.

The official expressed her hope that the strategic partnership will continue developing intensively and extensively in the coming time.

Delegates at the event. Source: Source: Angel Lopez

Also on October 3, the Vietnamese Embassy, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the Vietnam National Academy of Music, and the Madrid Royal Conservatory held a concert in celebration of Vietnam’s 77th National Day and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

Earlier, on the afternoon of October 3, within the framework of a business trip to attend the Vietnam Day program in Spain on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Spain, Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism of Vietnam Ta Quang Dong had had a meeting with Victor Francos Diaz, Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports of Spain.

The two sides agree to strengthen cooperation in the fields of theatre, music, dance and other performing arts fields, through exchange of delegations and the organization of cultural and artistic activities in each country; organizing exhibitions on contemporary and traditional art; supporting the exchange of performing groups and artists of different musical genres; sending delegations to participate in art festivals, festivals and cultural events.

The delegation of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism visited and worked at the Spanish Ministry of Culture. Source: icd.gov.vn

The Spanish Deputy Minister of Culture and Sports emphasized that the two sides need to develop a specific cooperation framework and a certain time limit to ensure effective cooperation between the agencies of the two ministries in particular and between the two ministries in general.

According to Deputy Minister Victor Francos Diaz, Spain attaches great importance to preserving and promoting its culture and is ready to coordinate with Vietnamese partners in sports, namely youth football training, in order to shape the world. future professional player system.