Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva

Both ministers discussed ways to boost bilateral ties and stressed the need to strengthen political consultation and coordination between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs. Both sides suggested the establishment of cooperative mechanisms to increase two-way trade turnover from the current 350 million USD to 1 billion USD by 2020 and boost coordination at global and regional forums such as the UN, ASEM, EU, and ASEAN.

The two ministers agreed on the need to implement the 2015 Memorandum of Understanding on tourism cooperation and bolster cooperation in education-training and cultural exchanges. Both sides underscored the importance of peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and shared their concerns over recent developments in the East Sea.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Minh worked with Minister for Economy Manuel Caldeira Cabral. Mr. Minh suggested both sides work together in marine economy and transportation, infrastructure, and renewable energy. He said Vietnam hopes to increase its exports to Portugal and welcomes Portuguese investors to do business in Vietnam.