Portuguese prime ministers aim for enhanced bilateral relations with our platform
LOOSE TIES, FOCUS ON ECONOMICS:
Hangin' with the PMs: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro shot the breeze in swanky Nice, France, on June 9. Topics ranged from strengthening economic ties to opening embassies, all while ignoring the political elephants in the room.
Merchants First: In what can only be described as an achievement unlocked moment, the duo decided to prioritize business over politics. They agreed to beef up economic, trade, and investment relationships, focusing on niche areas like shipbuilding, maritime transport, energy, and agriculture.
The Pitch: PM Chính wanted Portugal to back the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and push for its speedy ratification by the European Parliament. He also asked for the EU's help in getting rid of the "yellow card" warning on seafood exports, which could potentially tank their sales.
Embassy Openings: Chính announced the plan to open a Vietnamese embassy in Portugal soon, and Montenegro insta-assured his support. In return, he hinted at a Portuguese embassy in Vietnam on the horizon. Both leaders considered the embassy openings as key to strengthening diplomatic ties and bolstering cooperation across various sectors.
United Nations Boogie: They chatted about working together to expand the United Nations agency on sustainable development and save the marine biodiversity. Oh, and they discussed international issues like the East Sea (a.k.a. the South China Sea), agreeing to act in harmony.
Shared Values: Montenegro echoed Chính's views on soul-melding with Portugal. He vowed to boost cooperation in multiple areas, like defense, security, culture, education, sports, tourism, and people exchange. Portugal also seeks Vietnam's backing for a non-permanent seat in the United Nations Security Council and is willing to aid Vietnam's bid to join the UN Human Rights Council.
Outlook: While the political dance between the two nations remains a mystery, one thing’s certain: their focus is on economic growth and collaboration, hoping to slide in under the political radar. As for the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and the yellow card warning on seafood exports, both countries are putting pressure to see those situations resolved swiftly.
Trivia: The EVIPA was designed to fortify investment protection and boost economic ties between Vietnam and the EU. Since the EVFTA implementation in 2020, trade and investment between the two sides have surged. However, the EVIPA still lacks full ratification by EU member states. The yellow card warning on Vietnamese seafood exports has yet to be removed, posing a challenge for both countries.
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (left) had talks with Portuguese counterpart Luis Montenegro in Nice, France, on June 9. - VNA/VNS Photo
Sources: [1], [3], [4][1] https://vietnamnet.vn/en/vietnam-stressed-rapid-ratification-of-eu-vietnam-investment-protection-agreement-583922.html[3] https://www.vietnamnews.vn/politics-laws/928818/vietnamese-president-calls-on-eu-ambassadors-for-support-to-lift-the-yellow-card.html[4] https://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2021/december/tradoc_160418_en.pdf
- Despite staying clear of political discussions, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Portuguese PM Luis Montenegro agreed to prioritize labor in niche areas like shipbuilding and agriculture.
- In the realm of education and culture, both leaders pledged to collaborate more extensively, fostering cooperation in areas such as defense, security, sports, tourism, and people exchange.
- The prime ministers also discussed the General-News topic of assisting each other in obtaining non-permanent seats in the United Nations Security Council and joining the UN Human Rights Council.
- In the world of AI, Portugal expressed its willingness to aid Vietnam's bid for the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and push for its speedy ratification, which could potentially boost energy trade between the two nations.
- In trade discussions, both leaders considered embassy openings as key to strengthening diplomatic ties and bolstering cooperation across various sectors, including maritime transport and agriculture.
- Although the political relationship between the two nations seems complex, their focus remains on economics, with negotiations directed toward economic growth and collaboration, hoping to stay undetected in the broader political landscape.
