On a warm June day in Nice, France, amidst the global gathering for the 3rd United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), two leaders met not just as heads of government, but as trusted partners. Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his Spanish counterpart, Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez, greeted each other with familiarity and mutual respect—building on their earlier connection from Prime Minister Sanchez’s official visit to Vietnam in April 2025.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended heartfelt greetings from Vietnam’s top leaders—General Secretary To Lam, President Luong Cuong, and National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man—underscoring the importance Vietnam places on its relationship with Spain, the very first country in the European Union to be designated a Strategic Partner by Hanoi.
Their conversation was warm, open, and forward-looking. The two leaders reflected on the recent momentum in bilateral ties and agreed: the time is ripe to turn good intentions into real-world progress. Economic, trade, and investment collaboration remain central to the Vietnam-Spain partnership—and both sides are ready to do more.
One exciting opportunity discussed was Spain’s willingness to support Vietnam in developing its high-speed railway system. As the country with the world’s second-longest high-speed rail network, Spain brings not only infrastructure expertise but also valuable insights into technology transfer and human resource development. Vietnam, eager to modernize its transportation system, will soon send a working group to Spain to explore these possibilities first-hand.
Prime Minister Chinh also asked for Spain’s continued support within the European Union. He emphasized Vietnam’s need for help in removing trade barriers—like the EU’s yellow card on Vietnamese seafood—and in pushing for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Both leaders emphasized the need to open markets, diversify supply chains, and avoid over-reliance on any single economy.
Looking to the future, Prime Minister Sanchez invited his Vietnamese counterpart to attend Spain’s upcoming High-Level Conference on Finance for Development (FfD), offering yet another platform to deepen cooperation.
The conversation wasn’t limited to bilateral topics. Both leaders touched on global concerns like sustainable development, marine biodiversity, and international maritime law. They stood united in promoting peace, freedom of navigation, and the protection of marine ecosystems—especially in sensitive areas like the East Sea—based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
In a world where geopolitical tensions often dominate headlines, this meeting served as a refreshing reminder: diplomacy rooted in trust, cooperation, and shared aspirations can still make waves—both on land and at sea.
