This marked the formal beginning of a relationship between two nations with enormous similarities in their unwavering defense of a fundamental principle: the defense and preservation of sovereignty at all times.
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| The statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Mexico City. (Photo: Lao dong Newspaper) |
Two great leaders, Benito Juárez and Ho Chi Minh, clearly marked the path and meeting point between the two nations, which is more relevant today than ever. That great Mexican president established in 1867 that "between individuals, as between nations, respect for the rights of others is peace," while the great Vietnamese leader wrote in 1946 that "Nothing is more precious than Independence and Liberty," a phrase inscribed in the National Liberation Hero Square, which houses a monument to the Vietnamese hero, in the historic center of Mexico City.
Mexico is currently the world's 12th largest economy, and with President Claudia Sheinbaum's “Plan Mexico”, it aims to quickly become one of the world's top 10 economies, with at least 100 new industrial parks, and among the five most visited countries worldwide. Mexico is also the planet's ninth largest exporter, but above all, it is known for its great ancient civilizations, its extraordinary gastronomy, and its 33 cultural and natural sites considered UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Viet Nam, for its part, is one of the world's most thriving nations, having undergone an economic transformation in less than a generation and aspiring to become an upper-middle-income nation by 2030 and a developed economy by 2050.
In addition to their staunch defense of sovereignty and their importance on the international stage, Viet Nam and Mexico share common ground on diverse topics. In the last six years, Mexico has made historic progress in reducing poverty and has promoted in international fora the initiative to allocate 1% of global arms spending to assisting the population most in need. For its part, Viet Nam has been recognized for its impressive economic and social development, achieving a reduction in multidimensional poverty in the country below 3%. Both countries have made progress in building more inclusive societies, each with their own approaches and development models, but with the same commitment to improving the well-being of its population.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh meets with President-elect of Mexico Claudia Sheinbaum at the G20 Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on November 18, 2024. (Photo: VNA) |
The common ground between Mexico and Viet Nam is not solely based on identity and principles. In recent years, thanks to the Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), economic relations have grown exponentially, albeit with a huge trade deficit for Mexico, highlighting the urgent need for better access for Mexican products to the Vietnamese market.
These economies are also complementary due to their geographic location in North America and Southeast Asia; their complementary supply chains; and the enormous potential for cooperation opened up by the CPTPP in sectors such as agriculture and food, technology, and manufacturing.
| There is no doubt that the meeting between President Claudia Sheinbaum and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Rio de Janeiro (November 18, 2024) reflected the will to continue advancing these objectives. (Ambasador Alejandro Negrín) |
Mexico and Viet Nam are clear about their ambitions for the future of their bilateral relationship, reflecting the level of maturity and depth achieved in their ties. They also seek to finalize key agreements in agriculture, customs, air transport, and defense cooperation, which will lay the foundation for greater interconnectivity and collaboration in strategic sectors.
In addition, we work daily to bring our universities closer together and to promote our culture, as demonstrated by the recent installation of a replica of an Olmec head in the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts and the monuments of President Ho Chi Minh in Mexico City and elsewhere in the country.
At the same time, efforts have intensified to strengthen academic and cultural cooperation, promoting exchanges between universities and fostering greater mutual understanding.
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| Mexican Ambassador to Viet Nam Alejandro Negrín attends an event organized by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in July 2024. (Photo: Xuan Son) |
Mexico and Viet Nam celebrate the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations as two independent nations, with significant economic clout in the international arena, and a desire to strengthen their cooperation. Looking to the future, both countries share the conviction that their relationship still holds enormous potential and that, together, they can contribute to a world based on international law, cooperation, and peace.
Source: Vietnamtimes
