Vietnam and Brazil agree to upgrade bilateral relations to strategic partnership

As part of his visit to Brazil and attendance at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro on November 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva. The two sides agreed to elevate bilateral relations between Vietnam and Brazil to a Strategic Partnership.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh reaffirmed that the relationship between Vietnam and Brazil has been established on five foundational pillars: shared ideals and trust, cultural affinity, economic complementarity, genuine and warm sentiments, and mutual aspirations for peace and development, as he reflected on 35 years of diplomatic relations.

The Prime Minister observed that the two nations have experienced positive developments in numerous sectors as a result of these similarities. These consist of enhanced high-level interactions, consistent economic and trade expansion, and close collaboration in bilateral forums.

The assessment of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh was echoed by President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who pledged to implement measures to fortify bilateral relations. These include the effective implementation of previously signed agreements and the expansion of delegation exchanges at all levels, with a particular emphasis on the senior level.

President Lula da Silva also acknowledged Vietnam's proposals for Brazil to recognize Vietnam's market economy status and for the early initiation of negotiations for a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) in 2025. The objective of these measures is to provide tangible advantages to both nations and to facilitate their respective economic advancements.

The two leaders reached a consensus to upgrade bilateral relations to a Strategic Partnership, as they shared a shared strategic vision to enhance bilateral, regional, and global cooperation. They issued the Vietnam–Brazil Joint Declaration on the establishment of the Strategic Partnership on this occasion, which outlined significant principles and orientations for future cooperation.

The leaders also instructed their Ministries of Foreign Affairs to accelerate the development and completion of the substantive components of the Strategic Partnership. Both parties have pledged to implement measures to improve bilateral relations within this new framework, such as enhancing contacts and exchanges at all levels, with a particular emphasis on senior leadership.

The Education Cooperation Agreement, the Action Plan for implementing the MOU on agricultural cooperation, and the Activity Plan for collaboration between the two Diplomatic Academies for 2024–2025, all of which were signed during Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's visit in September 2023, must be executed effectively.

The third meeting of the Vietnam–Brazil Joint Committee on Economic and Trade Cooperation, the first meeting of the Joint Committee on Science and Technology, and the ninth meeting of the Political Consultation Mechanism between their Foreign Ministries were all agreed upon by the two countries.

Expanding collaboration in high technology, digital transformation, energy transition, biofuels, environmental protection, and climate change, as well as collaborating on the training of young football talents.

The two leaders emphasized the significance of defense and security cooperation and reached an agreement to improve their collaboration in the following areas: officer training, defense industry development, defense trade, logistics, military medical, and peacekeeping operations. The Memorandum of Understanding on Defense Cooperation, which was executed in September 2023, will serve as the foundation for these endeavors. Furthermore, they underscored the importance of enhancing collaboration in the fight against cybersecurity and transnational crime.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his gratitude and appreciation for Brazil's decision to send a delegation, which included representatives from the aerospace corporation Embraer, to attend the "Vietnam International Defense Expo" in December 2024. He expressed his conviction that Brazil's participation would make a substantial contribution to the success of this significant event for Vietnam's defense industry.

The leaders also engaged in a discussion of international and regional issues, and they reached an agreement to work together on global governance, United Nations reform, poverty reduction, and climate change. They reiterated the importance of peaceful resolution of international disputes in accordance with international law and the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).

In this spirit, President Lula extended a formal invitation to Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to attend the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP30) and the BRICS+ Leaders' Summit in 2025, both of which will be held in Brazil.