A delegation from the Brazil Foreign Ministry, headed by Deputy Minister Maria Edileuza Fontenele Reis, on Friday started a 3-day visit to Vietnam, to hold a political consultation and meetings with leaders of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Industry and Trade, and the Vietnam Social Science Academy.

Political consultation between the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and Brazil, Hanoi, November 19, 2010.

The two sides informed each other the situations and diplomatic activities in their respective countries.

They agreed that the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Brazil, established in May 2007, has been flourishing well in all domains.

Noticeably, the two-way trade turnover is growing by 30-40% per year and is expected to reach US $800 million this year.

The two sides pledged to promote the enforcement of high-ranking agreements and documents on bilateral cooperation in economics, energy, culture, science, health, and poverty reduction, as well as early conclude the signing of the Governmental-level Framework Agreement on Technical Cooperation.

At the same time, Brazil and Vietnam will speed up negotiations for cooperative deals on agriculture, double-tax avoidance, investment encouragement and protection, and education.

Preparations will be also made for the 2nd meeting of the Vietnam-Brazil Joint Committee in Hanoi next year.

The two sides also vowed to enhance their coordination and support in international organizations and multilateral forums, such as the UN and WTO, while contributing to the cooperation between ASEAN and MERCOSUR.