Energy security among key pillars in Vietnam-Venezuela cooperation agenda

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung paid an official visit to Venezuela from Tuesday to Wednesday, where he held talks with senior Venezuelan leaders and discussed a new bilateral cooperation agenda for the upcoming years, according to the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

He met with interim Venezuelan President Delcy Rodriguez Gomes; General Secretary of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela and Minister of Interior, Justice and Peace Diosdado Cabello; and Venezuelan Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto.

The Vietnamese diplomat also attended the Vietnam-Venezuela Business Forum alongside Vice President Calixto Ortega and Foreign Trade Minister Johann Alvarez.

During the meetings, Trung briefed the Venezuelan officials on the outcomes of Vietnam’s 14th National Party Congress, held from January 19 to 23 in Hanoi, and highlighted recent socio-economic achievements.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s respect for its traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Venezuela, emphasizing support for Venezuela’s constitutional government and development efforts.

Both sides praised the positive trajectory of bilateral relations, rooted in ties fostered by late President Hugo Chavez and generations of Vietnamese leaders.

Minister Trung stressed Vietnam’s determination to elevate cooperation in politics, trust-building, and practical collaboration across multiple sectors.

The Venezuelan leaders expressed admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic progress, noting valuable lessons for their own development.

They reaffirmed Venezuela’s view of Vietnam as a strategic partner both regionally and globally.

Both countries agreed to convene the third session of the Vietnam-Venezuela Intergovernmental Committee in Caracas this October and maintain regular political consultations between the two foreign ministries.

They will expand cooperation in agriculture, food security, telecommunications, energy, and oil, while coordinating closely at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and other international forums.

The bilateral agenda for the 2026-30 period includes pillars in politics, diplomacy, defense, agriculture, energy, trade, telecommunications, healthcare, culture, education, sports, and environmental cooperation.

Both sides will draft a joint action plan aimed at concrete results, leading up to the 20th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership in 2027.

During his visit, Trung laid wreaths in tribute to national hero Simon Bolivar at the National Pantheon of Venezuela.

He also paid tribute at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh and inaugurated Vietnam’s new embassy headquarters in Caracas with Foreign Minister Yvan Gil Pinto.