The agreement was reached during a meeting between Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Costa Rica President Rodrigo Chaves on the sidelines of the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC 3), in Nice, France, on June 8.

Both leaders agreed to instruct relevant ministries and agencies to seek new approaches and measures to promote bilateral trade and investment, based on each country’s potential and needs.

Chinh stated that Vietnam values its friendly and multifaceted cooperation with Costa Rica, considering it one of the leading partners in Central America and the Caribbean.

He proposed that the two countries continue to enhance political trust through delegation exchanges at all levels and through political consultations. He also proposed that Vietnam and Costa Rica expand economic cooperation, boost bilateral trade, and increase people-to-people exchanges.

He thanked Costa Rica for recognising Vietnam as a market economy, and expected that economic and trade relations between the two countries would reach new heights in the near future.

Praising Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, Chaves, who was the co-chair of UNOC 3, also expressed deep admiration and affection for the Vietnamese people, recognising their resilience and courage as well as their peace-loving nature and strong national independence spirit during past struggles and in current national development.

He noted the significant untapped potential for cooperation, particularly in tourism, while learning that Vietnam welcomed nearly 20 million international tourists in 2024.

As Vietnam and Costa Rica are coastal economies, the two leaders confirmed that both countries share substantial potential for cooperation in the blue economy, including ocean protection, sustainable development, and marine environmental conservation.

They stressed the need for greater international cooperation to protect oceans, focusing on issues such as plastic pollution prevention, greenhouse gas emissions reduction, and particularly public awareness through education.

On this occasion, Chinh invited Costa Rica to send a high-level delegation to the signing of the UN Convention against Cybercrime, scheduled to take place in Hanoi, Vietnam, this October. He also conveyed an invitation to Chaves to visit Vietnam soon.

In turn, Chaves cordially invited Chinh to visit Costa Rica at the earliest possible time, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure. Both sides agreed to assign their respective Foreign Ministries to promptly coordinate the preparations for these visits.

Costa Rica wishes for stronger co-operation with Vietnam

VOV.VN - Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves Robles expressed his nation’s willingness to boost all-around co-operation with Vietnam, particularly in economics, trade, education, and the environment.