Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (right) receives Brazilian Minister of Agriculture, Livestock and Food Supply Terresa Cristina Correa in Hanoi on May 17. (Photo: VNA)

The PM appreciated the results of the working session between the agriculture ministries of Vietnam and Brazil during the minister’s visit, which he said will help promote bilateral partnership in this potential field.

Acknowledging the positive developments of the comprehensive partnership between the two countries over the past 30 years, PM Phuc affirmed that Vietnam treasures the relationship with Brazil and urged bolstering cooperation in trade, investment and agriculture.

PM Phuc suggested that the two countries increase the exchange of delegations and promote trade and investment. He added that the two sides should early hold the third meeting of their joint committee to build specific programmes and projects for bilateral cooperation in the time ahead, while encouraging their businesses to set up partnership in fields of potential and mutual strength. He said Vietnam is willing to serve as a bridge for ASEAN and Mercosur, and proposed that the two sides work together on studying the possibility of starting negotiations on a Vietnam-Mercosur trade agreement.

The Vietnamese PM also recommended increasing cooperation in defence and education.

He took the occasion to thank Brazil for supporting Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure.

The Brazilian minister said Brazil attaches importance to ties with Vietnam, and her current visit aims to promote cooperation with Vietnam, especially in agriculture, a field in which both countries have great potential for development.

Brazil wants to export to Vietnam its strong products, including farm products such as beef, she said, adding that the presence of representatives from around 20 Brazilian firms in her delegation this time demonstrates the attention that Brazilian businesses pay to Vietnam.

Brazil is Vietnam’s biggest Latin American trade partners and the second biggest in America, just behind the US./.

VNF/VNA