The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the talks took place within the framework of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's working trip to Brazil to attend the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro.
The Prime Minister appreciated the fact that the agenda of this year's G20 Summit focused on discussing poverty eradication, sustainable development and global governance reform, issues of common concern to developing countries.
President Lula da Silva said that as host, Brazil promotes breakthrough initiatives to address global challenges, including the establishment of the Global Alliance to Fight Poverty and Global Governance Reform; and thanked Vietnam for supporting and actively participating in these initiatives.
The President believes that with the active and proactive foreign policy, vision and development experience of a middle-sized country with responsibility in international political, economic and cultural activities, the Prime Minister and the Vietnamese delegation will actively contribute to the success of the Conference, both promoting Vietnam's position at the G20 and demonstrating Vietnam's role and responsible contribution in participating in solving global issues on the basis of promoting Vietnam's advantages in areas of strength and experience.
Regarding bilateral relations, looking back at the 35-year journey of establishing diplomatic relations, the Prime Minister affirmed that the Vietnam-Brazil relationship has so far converged on five main similarities and complementarities, including: similar ideals and trust; close cultural identity; complementary and mutually promoting economies; warm and sincere feelings; and a common aspiration for peace and strong development.
Expressing agreement with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s assessment, President Lula da Silva agreed to coordinate in implementing measures to further strengthen bilateral relations in the coming time, including increasing delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially at high levels; and coordinating to effectively implement signed cooperation documents.
President Lula da Silva also positively acknowledged Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's proposals for Brazil to recognize Vietnam's market economy status, as well as to soon start negotiations on a free trade agreement with the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in 2025 to bring practical benefits to both sides, contributing to the development of each country.
With a common strategic vision to develop the relationship between the two countries more deeply and substantially on bilateral, regional and global levels, on this occasion, the two leaders agreed to upgrade the Vietnam - Brazil relationship to a Strategic Partnership and issued a Vietnam - Brazil Joint Statement on upgrading the relationship to a Strategic Partnership with major principles and orientations.
The two sides agreed to coordinate in implementing measures to strengthen bilateral relations commensurate with the new framework of relations.
The two leaders appreciated the importance of defense and security cooperation and agreed to strengthen cooperation in officer training, defense industry and defense trade, logistics, military medicine, and peacekeeping on the basis of the Memorandum of Understanding on defense cooperation signed in September 2023, promoting cooperation in preventing transnational crimes, cyber security, etc.
The Prime Minister welcomed and appreciated Brazil's delegation attending the Vietnam International Defense Exhibition in December 2024, including the Embraer Aerospace Corporation, believing that the presence of the Brazilian side will actively contribute to the success of this very important event of the Vietnamese defense industry.
Discussing international and regional issues, the two leaders agreed to promote cooperation on global governance issues, reform of the United Nations, poverty reduction, and combating climate change; the two leaders also shared the view that international disagreements and disputes should be resolved by peaceful means, on the basis of international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
