Qatar and Vietnam Strengthen Bilateral Ties with New Agreements and Strategic Partnerships.

General

Doha: A joint statement was issued today between the State of Qatar and the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, marking a significant milestone in their diplomatic relations. This announcement coincides with the official visit of His Excellency Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, to Doha, which is the first official visit by a Vietnamese Prime Minister to Qatar in 15 years.

According to Qatar News Agency, the visit, which took place from October 30 to November 01, 2024, was initiated at the invitation of His Excellency Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the State of Qatar. During the visit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with several key Qatari leaders, including the Emir of Qatar, His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and other ministers, to discuss and strengthen bilateral relations.

The two nations expressed satisfaction with the progress made over the 30-year span of their relationship, highlighting ach
ievements across multiple fields. They committed to enhancing the exchange of delegations and contacts at various levels and channels to foster stronger people-to-people connections and advance their cooperation. A shared vision to deepen political trust and elevate bilateral relations was also emphasized, with both sides agreeing to work towards a more concrete and effective partnership.

Discussions included potential bilateral agreements in areas such as visa exemption, labor, economic and trade, aiming to expand market access. Both sides acknowledged the importance of cooperation in sectors like energy, oil and gas, agriculture, and banking, and agreed to strengthen trade and investment activities to attract more Qatari investment in Vietnam. They also pledged to enhance defense and security cooperation, maintaining a peaceful and cooperative environment regionally and globally.

The visit resulted in the signing of several bilateral agreements and Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) in diverse fields such
as air services, sports, legal cooperation, diplomatic training, and investment cooperation. These agreements are expected to significantly bolster the partnership between the two nations.

Furthermore, the two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual interest, emphasizing the importance of upholding international law and resolving disputes through diplomatic means to maintain global peace and stability.

Both nations expressed confidence in the promising future of their relationship and committed to implementing the outcomes of the high-level visits. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended invitations from Vietnamese leaders to Qatari officials, which were positively received, indicating a continued commitment to fostering strong bilateral ties.