On the afternoon of November 20 (morning of November 21, Vietnam time), during his official visit to the Dominican Republic, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held meetings with Senate President Ricardo de los Santos Polanco and House Speaker Alfredo Pacheco.

Both Dominican parliamentary leaders emphasized the historical significance of this visit, as it marked the first time a high-ranking Vietnamese leader has visited the Dominican Republic. The trip occurs as the two countries approach the 20th anniversary of their diplomatic relations (July 7, 2005 – July 7, 2025).

Prime Minister Chinh reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to fostering traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Dominican Republic, aligning with Vietnam's broader foreign policy toward Latin America and the Caribbean.

He shared the positive outcomes of his earlier discussions with President Luis Abinader Corona, noting the issuance of a Joint Statement and both sides’ agreement to enhance legal frameworks for bilateral cooperation across various fields.

The Prime Minister also highlighted his proposal for the two countries to initiate talks on free trade, investment protection, cultural, educational, and training cooperation agreements, as well as a mutual visa waiver.

Both parliamentary leaders expressed support for the directions and measures outlined by the two governments to elevate bilateral relations to a new phase of development, benefiting the growth and well-being of both nations.

They also pledged strong backing for early negotiations on agreements that would deliver practical advantages to businesses and citizens, further strengthening the partnership.

Later that afternoon, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Miguel Mejia, Secretary-General of the United Left Movement (MIU) and Minister of Regional Integration Policy for the Dominican Republic.

Prime Minister Chinh expressed his appreciation for the solidarity and support extended by MIU, Mejia himself, and the Dominican people to Vietnam during its struggle for national reunification and its ongoing efforts in nation-building.

Sharing the outcomes of his discussions with President Luis Abinader Corona, Prime Minister Chinh urged MIU to continue supporting efforts to strengthen bilateral ties in preparation for the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations. This includes promoting high-level exchanges, enhancing the political consultation mechanism between the two foreign ministries, and increasing cooperation in international organizations and forums.

He also emphasized the need to effectively implement the 2023–2028 cooperation agreement between the Communist Party of Vietnam and MIU, as well as to foster trade and investment in sectors where both countries have strengths, bringing tangible benefits to their people.

Miguel Mejia described Prime Minister Chinh's visit as a historic milestone that provides a significant impetus for bilateral relations, including the friendship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and MIU.

Expressing admiration for Vietnam’s heroic history and respect for President Ho Chi Minh, Mejia congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in nearly 40 years of renewal and development. He expressed MIU’s desire to continue learning from Vietnam’s development and international integration experiences.

Mejia also committed to promoting business connections between the two countries to explore cooperation opportunities in areas such as telecommunications, construction materials, energy, oil and gas, information technology, electric vehicle distribution, and tourism. These efforts aim to enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in the coming years.

Thu Hang