Vietnam seeks additional fuel supplies from Angola amid Middle East tensions

The proposal was made by Chinh during a phone call with Angolan President João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço on Monday, according to Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The two leaders discussed bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of mutual interest.

During the conversation, Chinh expressed deep concern over the conflict in the Middle East, which has escalated since February 28, involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

He warned that the situation is having serious implications for the global economy and energy security.

The prime minister said countries outside the conflict zone but still affected by it, including Vietnam and Angola, should strengthen cooperation and solidarity to mobilize resources and overcome shared challenges.

On that basis, and building on the long-standing friendship between the two countries, Chinh suggested that Angola provide Vietnam with additional oil and gas supplies.

He also called for closer coordination to speed up the implementation of a memorandum of understanding on oil and gas cooperation between Vietnam’s PetroVietnam Exploration Production Corporation and Angola’s Sonangol E&P.

The Vietnamese leader also suggested facilitating oil and gas exploration by Xuan Thien Group, a Vietnamese private energy conglomerate, in Angola.

President Lourenço agreed with Chinh’s assessment of the Middle East conflict, saying countries affected by the situation should step up coordination and information exchange to mitigate its negative impacts.

Acknowledging Vietnam’s concerns about energy security under the current circumstances, the Angolan president expressed support for stronger energy cooperation between the two countries.

Regarding bilateral ties, Chinh suggested that both sides continue working closely to implement commitments and agreements reached during the state visit to Angola by Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong in August 2025.

He proposed focusing cooperation on key areas such as trade, investment, agriculture, mining, and energy security, with the aim of raising bilateral trade to US$1 billion in the near future.

The prime minister also urged the two sides to conclude negotiations soon on an investment promotion and protection agreement and a double taxation avoidance agreement.

Chinh expressed hope that Angola would leverage its influence in the African Union (AU) to support Vietnam in strengthening ties with the bloc, particularly in priority areas under the AU’s Agenda 2063 such as peacekeeping, agriculture, healthcare, education, and digital transformation.

He affirmed that Vietnam stands ready to assist Angola in expanding cooperation with ASEAN countries.

Lourenço said that Angola values its friendship and cooperation with Vietnam and stands ready to further strengthen ties between the two countries.

Following activities marking the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2025, Angola’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with its Vietnamese counterpart to prepare for a senior-level visit to Vietnam, he added.

The Angolan president also voiced hope that the two sides would continue exchanges between government agencies and businesses to deepen cooperation and implement agreements reached by their leaders.

Angola, located in southwestern Africa, is one of the continent’s leading oil producers.

Its oil reserves are estimated at between 2.5 billion and 2.6 billion barrels, with production capacity exceeding one million barrels per day.

The country withdrew from the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) in 2023 due to disagreements over production quotas.