(VOVWORLD) - Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah agreed to upgrade Vietnam-Kuwait relations to a Strategic Partnership during talks in Kuwait City on Monday.
 Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Kuwaiti Prime Minister Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah (Photo: Nhat Bac/ VGP) |
The talks took place within the framework of PM Chinh’s State visit to Kuwait, following official welcoming ceremonies and meetings with the Amir and Crown Prince of Kuwait at Bayan Palace.
The two sides reaffirmed economic cooperation as the central pillar of the relationship and agreed to work toward raising two-way trade to US$12–15 billion by 2030. Vietnam proposed accelerating negotiations for the Vietnam–Gulf Cooperation Council Free Trade Agreement and suggested considering a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement with Kuwait. Both sides pledged to enhance the efficiency of the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex Project on the basis of harmonised benefits and shared risks, viewing it as a symbol of strategic cooperation and a key contributor to energy security. Vietnam stands ready to provide petroleum services and high-quality human resources for projects in Kuwait, and to expand cooperation to several new projects, particularly the construction of a petroleum storage and transshipment facility in Vietnam.
 Vietnam and Kuwait agree to raise relations to a Strategic Partnership during talks in Kuwait City Nov 17, 2025. (Photo: Nhat Bac/ VGP) |
PM Sheikh Ahmad Al-Abdullah Al-Sabah welcomed Vietnamese proposals for investment cooperation, including in petroleum services and human-resource supply, and encouraged Kuwaiti enterprises and the Kuwait Investment Authority to increase large-scale investments in Vietnam. He also instructed the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development to strengthen development cooperation with Vietnam, and suggested early signing of an air services agreement and exploring direct flights.
The two leaders recognised significant room for cooperation in food security and agricultural production. Vietnam proposed negotiating a long-term agreement on strategic commodities, including rice, to support Kuwait’s food security, while Kuwait expressed interest in investing in agricultural production in Vietnam to serve markets in Kuwait and the wider region.
 (Photo: Nhat Bac/ VGP) |
They agreed to promote cooperation in digital transformation, innovation, renewable energy, education and training, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.
The two Prime Ministers consented to enhance coordination at multilateral forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN and the Gulf Cooperation Council. They stressed that disputes must be resolved peacefully in line with international law and the UN Charter.
Following their talks, the two leaders witnessed the signing of a Protocol amending the Agreement on Visa Exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports, and a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and Kuwait’s Saud Al-Nasser Al-Sabah Diplomatic Institute.