Kuwait city: Kuwait and Vietnam have agreed to propel bilateral relations to the level of a "strategic partnership," thanks largely to the inextricable links between the two nations, said a joint statement after high-level talks on Tuesday.
According to Kuwait News Agency, discussions centered on global happenings and mutual concerns, with Kuwait's Prime Minister His Highness Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah holding talks with his visiting Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh. The Vietnamese leader congratulated Kuwait on its accomplishments while leading the Gulf Cooperation Council's (GCC) Supreme Council.
The talks emphasized that relations have been on an upward trajectory since their inception in 1976, leading to "new growth" in economic cooperation. The draft statement revealed plans to increase high-level talks to bring bilateral deals and memorandums of understanding (MoU) to fruition.
Marking the "golden jubilee" of diplomatic relations, Kuwait and Hanoi have decided to elevate their partnership to a "strategic" level. This includes enhancing cooperation in key sectors ranging from emerging technologies, such as Artificial Intelligence, to food security.
The statement highlighted an agreement to strengthen energy sector cooperation through joint activities in oil and gas exploration and the development of petrochemical and renewable energy industries. Vietnam's largest refinery, Nghi Son, co-owned by Kuwait Petroleum International, was cited as an example.
The Vietnamese prime minister expressed gratitude for the development aid provided by the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, which he acknowledged as crucial for improving infrastructure in Vietnam.
As ties between the GCC and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) bloc grow closer, Kuwait and Vietnam agreed to enhance their cooperation on the international stage. The talks resulted in several key agreements, including initiating negotiations for a free trade agreement to expand trade and investment relations. They also agreed on a protocol to amend a visa waiver agreement for diplomatic passport holders and an MoU for cooperation between the countries' foreign ministries.