PM calls on Vietnam and Portugal to seize opportunities of free trade agreement
(VOVWORLD) -Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the Vietnamese Government values the traditional friendship with Portugal as he received Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho in Hanoi on Wednesday.
 Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho. Photo: Vu Khuyen/VOV
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The PM said he believes that the visit to Vietnam by Foreign Minister Cravinho will contribute to expanding the cooperation between Vietnam and Portugal in potential fields.
He suggested that the two sides continue to take advantage of opportunities from the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), striving to reach bilateral trade turnover of 1 billion USD soon. Prime Minister Chinh also asked Portugal to facilitate the agricultural, seafood and fruit products of Vietnam, soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and have a say with the European Commission to remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnamese seafood.
The Prime Minister called on the two sides to promote cooperation in digital, green and clean energy transformation, circular economy, response to climate change, culture, sports, tourism, and education.
He suggested that Portugal increase scholarships for Vietnamese students and continue to support the Vietnamese community in Portugal.
Foreign Minister Cravinho said he is impressed with Vietnam's dynamic socio-economic development achievements, adding that Portugal always considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and wants to strengthen the multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.