Accelerating negotiations for the Vietnam–MERCOSUR FTA
On the morning of July 7 (local time), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi on the sidelines of the BRICS Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Uruguayan President Yamandu Orsi. Photo: VGP
During the meeting, Prime Minister Chinh proposed that both sides accelerate negotiations and signing of the Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement, a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders, and an agreement on cooperation in science, technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
He also suggested boosting agricultural cooperation, expanding market access for agricultural products, and encouraged Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Uruguay by producing and processing agricultural goods for local consumption and export to neighboring markets.
President Orsi welcomed the Prime Minister's proposals. Both leaders agreed to enhance delegation exchanges at all levels—particularly high-level visits and contacts—to strengthen political trust, mutual understanding, and coordination in expanding bilateral cooperation.
President Orsi endorsed the proposal to complete negotiations for the Vietnam–MERCOSUR FTA in the second half of 2025, recognizing its potential to deliver mutual benefits for both nations' economies and citizens.
The two leaders also agreed to instruct relevant ministries and agencies to closely coordinate efforts to organize the 5th Political Consultation between the two foreign ministries and the 4th meeting of the Joint Committee on Economic, Trade and Investment Cooperation. These meetings aim to review bilateral ties and identify concrete measures to enhance cooperation.
They also concurred on the need for closer coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, including the United Nations. On this occasion, Prime Minister Chinh conveyed President Luong Cuong’s invitation for Uruguay to send a delegation to attend the opening ceremony of the UN Convention on Countering the Use of Information and Communications Technologies for Criminal Purposes in Hanoi this October. President Orsi expressed appreciation and welcomed the initiative.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh Meets Chinese Premier Li Qiang
Also on July 7, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Chinese Premier Li Qiang.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to concretely implement the high-level common understandings reached during recent official visits and to further advance the Vietnam–China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership following the “six priorities” approach.
They affirmed the importance of maintaining regular high-level exchanges, promoting robust cooperation in trade, investment, and expanding joint efforts in science, technology, and innovation.
Prime Minister Chinh proposed that China give high priority to railway cooperation and support the groundbreaking of the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong standard-gauge railway project by December 2025.
Premier Li Qiang praised the positive development momentum of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and affirmed China’s readiness to work closely with Vietnam to implement the common understandings reached between the top leaders of the two Parties and States.
Premier Li reaffirmed China’s willingness to accelerate strategic development connectivity with Vietnam and welcomed Vietnam’s interest in advancing standard-gauge railway projects linking the two nations.
Strengthening Vietnam–Chile Cooperation
On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also met with Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font.
During the meeting, the two leaders agreed to direct relevant ministries and agencies to continue concretizing the outcomes of President Luong Cuong’s official visit to Chile, with a focus on enhancing trade and investment cooperation to match the potential and aspirations of both sides.
They also agreed to fully leverage the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) to expand mutual market access and unlock new opportunities for economic cooperation.