Vietnam and Brazil have agreed to elevate their bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership and issued a Joint Statement outlining key principles and directions.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Photo: Nhat Bac

This was the outcome of a meeting between Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva on November 17 in Rio de Janeiro, where both sides committed to implementing measures to strengthen their bilateral ties in alignment with this new framework.

At the meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized the five key similarities and complementarities that define Vietnam-Brazil relations: shared ideals and mutual trust, cultural affinity, complementary and mutually reinforcing economies, warm and sincere ties, and a common quest for peace and development.

Underscoring the importance of defense and security cooperation, the Vietnamese government leader and President Lula da Silva agreed to enhance collaboration in officer training, defense industry, defense trade, logistics, military medicine, and peacekeeping, building on the Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation signed in September 2023. They also pledged to strengthen efforts in combating transnational crime and cybersecurity.

President Lula da Silva promised to work on measures to deepen bilateral ties, including promoting exchanges and engagements at all levels, especially high-level visits, and ensuring the effective implementation of signed cooperation agreements.

President Lula da Silva also positively responded to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals, including Brazil’s recognition of Vietnam's market economy status and the initiation of negotiations for a Free Trade Agreement with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) by 2025. These efforts aim to bring tangible benefits to both nations and contribute to their respective development goals.

Both leaders agreed to strengthen cooperation on global governance, UN reform, poverty reduction, and climate change. They emphasized the importance of resolving international disputes and differences through peaceful means, based on international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1989 and a Comprehensive Partnership in 2007. In 2023, bilateral trade reached approximately $7.11 billion, with $5.8 billion recorded in the first nine months of the year. The Vietnamese community in Brazil consists of around 300 people, mostly living in Sao Paulo.