Vietnamese PM meets leaders of Cuba, WB, Sweden at COP28

Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (R) meets with Cuban President Miguel Diaz-Canel in Dubai on December 2. (Photo: VNA)

He noted that the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people always treasure and are determined to further intensify the traditional solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Cuba, and support the just revolutionary cause of the Cuban people. The PM also reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent stance on objecting to the unilateral sanctions and embargoes against Cuba.

The two sides agreed to coordinate their countries’ stances and increase opinion exchanges at multilateral forums. They also concurred in stronger cooperation to boost economic, investment, and trade ties, including in agriculture and food security ensuring.

Meeting with President of the WB Group Ajay Banga, PM Chinh spoke highly of the bank’s support for and cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in giving policy advice and finance to help fruitfully carry out many projects, which have considerably contributed to local socio-economic development and poverty reduction.

As the WB is restructuring its presence in the world, PM Chinh suggested it establish a regional centre based in Vietnam and pledged the best possible conditions for this office to run projects in Vietnam and regional countries. In response, Banga highly valued the idea and said he will seriously consider the establishment of a regional centre.

The WB Group President particularly applauded the Vietnamese Government’s efforts and determination in green transition, climate change response, and sustainable development, especially the low-emission cultivation of 1 million ha of high-yield rice. He considered the cultivation as a model project on green agriculture of the WB in the world.

Banga also proposed Vietnam consider joining the global carbon credit market, affirming support for the country during this process and the realisation of climate commitments and targets.

Vietnamese PM Pham Minh Chinh (L) and his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson meet in Dubai on December 2. (Photo: VNA)

At the meeting with his Swedish counterpart Ulf Kristersson, PM Chinh stated that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to enhance the traditional friendship with Sweden, one of its priority partners in Europe. He proposed both sides to step up mutual visits at all levels, especially in 2024 when they will celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.

Kristersson took in PM Chinh’s suggestions and expressed his hope to visit Vietnam in the near future to comprehensively promote cooperation. He also affirmed that Sweden will make efforts to enhance substantive ties in all potential fields, asking relevant agencies of both countries to consider the opening of direct air routes between Vietnam and Scandinavian countries, especially Sweden, to foster tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

On this occasion, the two sides also agreed to further strengthen cooperation at multilateral forums and serve as bridges for the ASEAN - EU cooperation.