Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met with US President Joe Biden (Video: VNA)
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee and State President To Lam had a meeting with US President Joe Biden on September 25 (local time) as part of his US trip for the UN Summit of the Future and the high-level week of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA).
At the event, the Vietnamese leader expressed sincere gratitude to the US President for his heartfelt condolence message on the passing of Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong and thanked the US Government for its support for Viet Nam’s Typhoon Yagi relief efforts.
Acknowledging the sentiment that Biden has for Viet Nam as well as his contributions to the Viet Nam – US relations, Lam held that the historic trip to the US by Party chief Trong in 2015 and the visit to Viet Nam by Biden last year created motives to develop the bilateral ties, bringing them to the highest level of comprehensive strategic partnership and opening space for the ties to branch out in a strong and stable fashion in the coming decades.
Lam said he appreciates Biden’s sharing of the two countries’ experience in healing the wounds of war and building their relationship while delivering his remarks at the opening session of the UNGA, agreeing that the two sides share a common vision of shaping up a better future for all humanity based on the experience which highlights the significance of healing, mutual respect and understanding, with respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institutions being the most important.
He affirmed the special features of the Viet Nam – US relations with a turn from foes to partners, comprehensive partners and now the highest level of comprehensive strategic partners, stressing that the relationship is entering a new chapter of history and becomes a model in international relations regarding efforts to heal and build ties after war.
Lam underscored that Viet Nam is on the threshold of a new historic moment and new era, an era of the nation’s rise, adding the country will steadfastly continue its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of external relations, being a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible member of the international community. He said Viet Nam sees US a partner with strategic importance and expressed his hope that the partnership will continue maintaining its stable and long-term development momentum for the interest and aspirations of the two peoples.
Congratulating Lam on his new position, US President Joe Biden said the US considers Viet Nam as a top partner in the region. He recalled his trip to Viet Nam in September last year with warm welcome from the Vietnamese leaders and people and the announcement of the elevation of the bilateral ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, cooperation and sustainable development in the region and the world..
He affirmed that the US backs a strong, independent, resilient and prosperous Viet Nam and said he will continue working to bolster the partnership on the basis of respect for each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political institution, making the bilateral ties a model for healing and cooperation for future construction.
Both leaders expressed their delight over the outcomes of the comprehensive strategic partnership after one year of establishment, which are in accordance with the interests and aspirations of both sides, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
With a view to maintaining the stable and effective development momemtum, they agreed that the two sides need to work closely to effectively carry out the joint statement adopted last year, including enhancing discussions at all levels, bolstering cooperation across economy, trade, investment, high technology and semiconductor and capitalising collaboration potential in high-quality human resources training, seeing it a key and a breakthrough in their partnership.
Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concerns, they concurred to step up cooperation at regional and international forums, comprising the ASEAN framework, Mekong – US Partnership and the UN.
Biden affirmed that the US commits to enhancing peace, stability and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific region, respecting the central role of ASEAN and supporting Viet Nam’s increasingly important role in the region and the world.
He said the US wants to closely coordinate with Viet Nam in maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, upholding international law, ensuring freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, fighting climate change and settlling common issues of the region and the world./.
* On September 24 (local time), Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met with President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev, President of Finland Alexander Stubb, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (L) and President of Bulgaria Rumen Radev (Photo: VNA)
Meeting the Bulgarian President, Lam affirmed that Viet Nam always values and wishes to further strengthen its multifaceted cooperation with Bulgaria. Viet Nam always appreciates and remembers the Bulgarian people's assistance to Viet Nam in the past struggle for independence and in the current national construction, he stressed.
He welcomed President Rumen Radev’s plan to visit Viet Nam and suggested continued support for the Vietnamese community in Bulgaria to settle down their lives, successfully integrate into the host society, and become a bridge to foster bilateral relations.
The Vietnamese leader urged both countries to maximise the potential of the EU-Viet Nam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to elevate their bilateral ties. He also called on Bulgaria to advocate for the swift ratification of the EU-Viet Nam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) by EU member states and prompt the European Commission to lift the "yellow card" warning on illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing on Viet Nam's seafood exports.
The Bulgarian President responded positively to Lam's proposals, underscoring Bulgaria's dedication to its relationship with Viet Nam. He expressed personal enthusiasm for his forthcoming visit and pledged to boost cooperation in areas such as health care, pharmaceuticals, biotechnology, IT, agriculture, and natural resources and environmental management.
Bulgaria, he added, is ready to welcome Vietnamese workers.
Both sides agreed to jointly hold cultural and art activities to celebrate the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (L) and Finnish President Alexander Stubb. (Photo: VNA)
At his meeting with Finnish President Alexander Stubb, the Party General Secretary and State President affirmed that Viet Nam attaches importance to strengthening the two countries’ traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation. He expressed gratitude to the Finnish government and people for their support during Viet Nam's past hardships and in its development journey, particularly in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Lauding Finland's ratification of the EVIPA, Lam noted that it will create new cooperation opportunities for businesses from both nations.
On this occasion, he proposed that both sides continue maintaining and boosting all-level exchanges, further reinforcing the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and expanding collaboration in education, training, and culture-sport exchanges to enhance their people’s mutual understanding and friendship.
The top leader of Viet Nam also called on the Finish side to continue paying attention to the situation in the East Sea and supporting the protection of nations’ legitimate rights and interests under international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
President Stubb praised positive developments in the bilateral relationship and affirmed Finland’s commitment to deepening cooperation with Viet Nam.
He noted that the European nation would continue to encourage its enterprises to invest in potential sectors in Viet Nam, such as telecommunications, renewable energy, water management, forest technology, and information technology. He also expressed his hope that Viet Nam would continue to serve as a bridge in fostering relations between Finland and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
Both leaders agreed to work closely together to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the EVIPA, while continuing to enhance cooperation and mutual support at multilateral forums, particularly at the UN and within the ASEAN-EU partnership framework.
They also discussed several international and regional issues of shared concern.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) and Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah (Photo: VNA)
At the meeting with Crown Prince of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Khaled Al-Sabah, Lam affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to and wishes to promote the good friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Kuwait. He suggested that the two sides continue to exchange all-level delegations and effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms.
“Viet Nam is willing to welcome Kuwaiti enterprises to increase investment in Viet Nam in new areas such as green growth, climate change response, and Halal food,” he noted.
The Kuwaiti Crown Prince appreciated Viet Nam's socio-economic development achievements after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (renewal) and affirmed that Kuwait considers Viet Nam one of the leading partners in the Southeast Asian region.
Kuwait is ready to expand cooperation in tourism, labour and Halal food with Viet Nam and support the country to strengthen cooperation with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), he said.
The Crown Prince agreed to coordinate with Viet Nam to handle difficulties at the Nghi Son Refinery and Petrochemical Complex in the central province of Thanh Hoa, considering this a project of symbolic significance for the success of bilateral relations.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam meets with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. (Photo: VNA)
Meeting the Ukrainian President, Party General Secretary and President Lam affirmed that Viet Nam always values its traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Ukraine, and bears in mind the support and heartfelt assistance that people of the Soviet Union, including Ukrainians, provided for Viet Nam during its struggle for national liberation and reunification, as well as in its current development cause.
Lam also expressed concern over the ongoing conflict, calling for an end to hostilities, the restoration of peace, and the protection of security and safety of civilians and essential infrastructure. He reiterated Viet Nam's consistent stance that all disputes should be addressed peacefully, in accordance with the fundamental principles of international law and the United Nations Charter, including respecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of nations, refraining from the use of force or threats to use force, and taking into account the legitimate interests of all parties involved while avoiding harm to civilians.
Viet Nam welcomes and supports international mediation efforts aimed at finding a lasting peaceful solution to the conflict, with the participation of all relevant parties, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter, Lam said, adding that as an active and responsible member of the international community, Viet Nam is ready to contribute to promoting dialogue and seeking solutions to stabilise the situation as soon as possible, for peace and stability in the region and worldwide. He also emphasised that once the conflict ends, Viet Nam is willing to work with the international community to support the reconstruction efforts in Ukraine.
Zelensky appreciated Viet Nam's stance and thanked the Vietnamese government and people for their humanitarian support to Ukraine. He expressed his hope that Viet Nam will endorse the declaration of the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland, and assist Ukraine in mine clearance and settlement of conflict consequences.
The Ukrainian leader affirmed that his country is committed to ensuring the safety of the Vietnamese community and the Vietnamese Embassy in Kyiv.
The two sides shared the need to maintain and promote bilateral cooperation through contacts and delegation exchanges at all levels; and seek effective and appropriate measures to maintain and soon restore bilateral trade exchanges.
Lam thanked Ukraine for its support in ensuring the safety and evacuation of Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine and hoped that the Ukrainian government will continue its assistance to ensure the safety of lives and property of Vietnamese citizens and businesses in the country.
Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (left) and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi meets in New York on September 23. (Photo: VNA)
* At a meeting with Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi in New York on September 23 (local time) as part of his trip to the US for the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly (UNGA 79), Lam thanked the Indian Government for its relief aid of 35 tonnes of goods worth 1 million USD in support of localities stricken by Typhoon Yagi.
The deed demonstrates the good sentiments, the traditional friendship, and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the Vietnamese top leader said.
Lam noted with pleasure the strong developments of the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, saying the issuance of the joint statement enhancing the partnership on the occasion of the India visit by PM Pham Minh Chinh late July with new and important contents matches the interests, needs, aspirations of both sides.
The leader suggested the two countries continue their close coordination and effectively implement outcomes of visits, high-level agreements, and the action programme materialising the comprehensive strategic partnership for 2024-2028, making the relationship more intensive, practical, and fruitful across spheres.
For regional cooperation, Lam affirmed that Viet Nam will work together with other ASEAN countries to deepen the ASEAN-India comprehensive strategic partnership, and called on India to continue its support for the bloc’s principled stance and centrality, as well as its building of the ASEAN community.
The two sides should cooperate in response to common challenges, further coordinate and cooperate closely at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations, the ASEAN, and mechanisms led by the grouping, and promote principles to ensure security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight, and peacefully settle disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
For his part, Modi noted that India always wishes to strengthen the bilateral comprehensive strategic partnership, adding the country will continue with its Act East policy, enhancing its relations with ASEAN and Viet Nam effectively, especially in the areas of shared concern or their strengths like digital connectivity, digital economy, sustainable infrastructure, renewable energy, and maritime security.
Source VNA
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