Brasília (VNA) –💝 Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil Bui Van Nghi has affirmed thatBrazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is highly interested in advancingbilateral relations with Vietnam.

Duringan interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on January 9, Nghi described that asa positive signal for Vietnam to capitalise on opportunities and fortify bilateral relations,thereby reinforcing its growing position and role on the international stage. Reflectingon Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s visit to Brazil in May 2023, the ambassador highlighted it as the fifth high-level visit to Brazil by a Vietnamese leadersince the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1989 and the first high-levelvisit in 16 years. During this visit, both nations issued a joint statement,concurring on measures to boost cooperation in politics, diplomacy, nationaldefence, security, trade, investment, sci-tech, culture, tourism, andpeople-to-people exchange. A consensus was also reached on elevating therelationship to a strategic partnership. Withtwo-way trade reaching nearly 7 billion USD last year, surpassing the 2022figure of 6.7 billion USD, commitments were made to increase it to 10 billionUSD in 2025 and 15 billion USD in 2030. The visit also led to the signing offour significant documents spanning diplomacy, education-training, nationaldefence, and agriculture. Brazilmaintains its position as Vietnam's largest trade partner in Latin America. The collaboration with Brazil and other nations in the region, particularlywithin the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) is pivotal in initiatingnegotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the bloc. As both Vietnamand Brazil mark the 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year,Nghi outlined plans to facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels and enhance cooperation between ministries, agencies, and localities. Vietnam looks forward to President Lula da Silva’s second visitto the country, following his first one in 2008. PM Chinh will also attend theG20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro in November at the invitation of the BrazilianPresident, he said. He expressed his hope that these activities will be accompanied and backedby businesses from both countries, especially those involved in the fields of sci-tech,agriculture, agricultural processing, health care and education. This year,Brazil is also one of the two countries chosen by the Vietnamese Government tohost the Vietnam Day featuring cultural and music activities to showcase thecountry’s image, people, and culture among friends in Brazil and South America. The Film Weeks in Brazil and Vietnam, along with photo and painting exhibitions,are also planned for this year, he said, expressing anticipation for increasedsport, culture-art, tourism and people-to-people exchanges between the twonations. In conclusion, he hoped that ties between Vietnam and Brazilwill reach a new height in the current year./.