During their meeting on 5/7, President Lula da Silva welcomed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to his first BRICS summit as a Partner Country. He praised Vietnam's role and responsible contributions to addressing global issues.

The prime minister affirmed that Vietnam would participate in the summit with the utmost responsibility, emphasizing Vietnam's strong commitment and active contribution to joint efforts in promoting peace, cooperation, and development, as well as enhancing the role of Southern countries in global governance institutions, according to TTXVN.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Brazilian President Lula da Silva in Rio de Janeiro on 5/7. Photo: _TTXVN_

Regarding bilateral relations, the two leaders agreed on the need to enhance ties within the Strategic Partnership framework. This includes maintaining high-level contact and delegation exchanges, strengthening political trust, and coordinating the implementation of existing agreements.

Vietnam and Brazil will bolster cooperation in defense and security, including defense trade and technology transfer. They will also promote cooperation in science and technology, high-quality human resource development, mineral exploitation and trade, ethanol and biomass energy, digital transformation, semiconductors and artificial intelligence, and judicial affairs.

The two sides will expedite negotiations to sign cooperation agreements on investment protection, double taxation avoidance, and visa facilitation for citizens of both countries.

Brazil affirmed its willingness to import more seafood and rice from Vietnam. At Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's suggestion, both sides agreed to sign an agreement ensuring stable, long-term food security for Brazil, with Vietnam exporting rice to contribute to Brazil's food stability. The two countries will also enhance cooperation in the coffee industry.

To boost bilateral trade, the prime minister asked President Lula da Silva to support the early conclusion of the Vietnam-MERCOSUR (Southern Common Market) free trade agreement (FTA) negotiations in the last 6 months of 2025 during Brazil's MERCOSUR presidency, as well as an FTA between Vietnam and Brazil. The Brazilian president supported the proposal and agreed that the two ministers of industry and trade should immediately discuss and closely coordinate with MERCOSUR members.

Both sides affirmed the need to encourage people-to-people and youth exchanges, promoting peace, solidarity, and friendship through activities like sports cooperation and academic exchanges, and creating conditions for Vietnamese and Brazilian communities to integrate and contribute more in each country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shakes hands with Brazilian President Lula da Silva during their meeting in Rio de Janeiro on 5/7. Photo: _TTXVN_

Discussing international and regional issues, the two leaders agreed to continue coordinating and cooperating on global governance, United Nations reform, poverty reduction, and climate change.

Both sides emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation and overflight in maritime areas, including the South China Sea, based on respect for the interests of coastal states and in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

After the talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the Brazilian president witnessed the exchange of a memorandum of understanding on scientific and technological cooperation, innovation, and digital transformation; the announcement of the first shipment of Vietnamese tra fish, basa fish, and tilapia to Brazil; and the announcement of the first shipment of Brazilian beef to Vietnam.

On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife paid floral tribute at the President Ho Chi Minh Commemorative Plaque in Rio de Janeiro, where President Ho Chi Minh once worked during his journey to find a way to save his country.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife, along with the Vietnamese high-level delegation, offer flowers in memory of President Ho Chi Minh at the commemorative plaque in Rio de Janeiro. Photo: _TTXVN_

The prime minister and his wife also visited Vasco da Gama football club in Rio de Janeiro and their main stadium, Estadio Sao Januario, with a capacity of 25,000 spectators.

The prime minister remarked that the philosophy of football is also the philosophy and cultural identity of Brazil, and shares many similarities with Vietnamese culture: always attacking, fighting with all one's might, dedicating oneself with all intellect, finesse, and passion; competing fairly; victory is necessary, but not everything, as dedication, enjoyment, and sharing are also essential.

The prime minister affirmed that Vietnam is passionate about football and admires Brazilian football, and therefore, the potential for cooperation in culture and sports, including football, is limitless.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits the Vasco da Gama football club stadium. Photo: _TTXVN_

The prime minister suggested that Brazil and Vasco da Gama football club increase cooperation and support Vietnam in developing its football scene, such as through coaching, player training, particularly improving players' physical strength and skills, enhancing management capacity, developing the brand, mobilizing and managing resources, organizing competitions, and continuing to "export" Brazilian players to Vietnam and Vietnamese players to Brazil.

Vietnam and Brazil established diplomatic relations in 1989. During President Lula da Silva's visit to Vietnam last March, the two sides issued a joint statement and adopted an action plan to implement the Strategic Partnership for the 2025-2030 period, setting the direction for bilateral relations in the coming years.

Vietnam became the 10th BRICS Partner Country last June. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnam became a Partner Country with the desire to promote international solidarity and inclusive, comprehensive multilateralism.

Huyen Le