Upgrading bilateral ties to strategic partnership

At the talks, the two sides updated each other on the situation in their respective countries and discussed directions and concrete measures to advance the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Algeria in the coming time, along with regional and international issues of mutual concern.

The Algerian Prime Minister reaffirmed the determination of the Algerian Government, under the leadership of President Abdelmadjid Tebboune, to further preserve and promote the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries, which have been nurtured through their shared struggle for independence and freedom.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh congratulated Algeria on its significant achievements in building a “New Algeria,” marked by comprehensive economic and socio-cultural development and an increasingly important role in the international arena. He affirmed that Vietnam always values the traditional friendship and the brotherhood-like solidarity between the two countries.

With that spirit, the two leaders agreed to upgrade their bilateral relationship to a strategic partnership, affirming their commitment to strengthening high-level exchanges and delegation visits at all levels to consolidate political trust and mutual understanding, while expanding cooperation across various fields through existing mechanisms.

Promoting and deepening bilateral relations

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh put forward several proposals to further promote and deepen bilateral cooperation. He emphasized that, in the current context, the two countries must “unite for strength, cooperate for mutual benefit, and engage in dialogue to build trust,” guided by the principle of “mutual listening, mutual understanding, mutual trust, joint action, and shared development” to create breakthroughs in bilateral relations.

He proposed that the two sides work closely to prioritise several groups of solutions, including tightening political trust, increasing delegation exchanges, and giving each other priority in their respective foreign policies.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked Algeria to continue supporting the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) in expanding its investment and maintaining stable and effective operations, an important symbol of successful bilateral cooperation. He also called for greater investment cooperation, wider market access for each country’s key products, and strengthened trade relations based on balanced interests. He hoped that Algeria will support Vietnamese businesses in digital transformation projects and encourage cooperation between enterprises of both countries in telecommunications.

The Prime Minister also proposed expanding cooperation in national defence and security as a new pillar of bilateral ties, including participation in each other’s defence exhibitions and collaboration in cyber security, as well as strengthening cooperation in agriculture.

In addition, the two sides will continue organising cultural and educational exchanges on historical traditions to honour earlier generations, tighten bonds of solidarity, and further enhance mutual understanding between the youth and people of the two nations. The Prime Minister asked Algeria to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community living in the country.

The Prime Minister also proposed that the two countries actively establish joint subcommittees on science and technology, digital transformation, health, education and training, labour, and other specialised fields, and create favourable conditions for enterprises of both sides to strengthen cooperation in important areas through concrete, practical, and effective programmes and projects. He also urged Algeria to support Vietnam in strengthening cooperation with regional organisations and member states such as the African Union and the Arab League.

The two sides agreed to continue coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral forums where both are members, especially at the UN and within the Non-Aligned Movement, and to jointly promote South-South cooperation, raise the role and status of developing countries, and enhance collaboration among developing nations in science and technology, digital transformation, and emerging fields.

Upholding the spirit of international solidarity, respect for the rule of law, and the fundamental principles of the UN Charter, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to contribute to international efforts in peacekeeping. Regarding the East Sea issue, he asked Algeria to support ASEAN’s stance and the protection of freedom of navigation and overflight based on respect for the legitimate rights of coastal states and in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The Algerian Prime Minister agreed with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s proposals and pledged to instruct Algerian ministries and agencies to work closely with Vietnam to effectively implement the commitments and cooperation orientations.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh invited Prime Minister Sifi Ghrieb to pay an official visit to Vietnam at an early date.

Immediately after the talks, the two prime ministers adopted a Joint Statement on upgrading bilateral relations to a strategic partnership and witnessed the signing of cooperation documents, including the Minutes of the meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; an MoU on housing and urban and city planning; an Annex to the Protocol on comprehensive debt settlement between the two governments; an Agreement on education cooperation; an MoU between VCCI and the Algerian Chamber of Commerce and Industry; and a Letter of Intent between Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade and Algeria’s Ministry of Foreign Trade and Export Promotion on launching negotiations for a pilot preferential trade agreement.