During talks in Astana on May 6, both sides said that the establishment of a new partnership framework would contribute to further strengthening the five current connections between the two countries - people-to-people connectivity, economic connectivity, policy connectivity, transportation connectivity, and inter-regional connectivity.

They held that Vietnam and Kazakhstan are very important partners to each other in their respective Southeast Asian and Central Asian regions. They agreed to expand mutually beneficial cooperation in various fields and emphasised the importance of promoting and further developing bilateral relations in the near future.

Tokayev expressed pride in being the first strategic partner of Vietnam in Central Asia, affirming that this is a historic event in the bilateral relationship, laying a solid foundation for further developing relations in all areas.

Lam, who is paying a state visit to Kazakhstan, emphasised that Vietnam always values and gives high priority to its relations with traditional friendly countries, including Kazakhstan.

He praised Kazakhstan’s recent development achievements, and expressed confidence that the country would continue to successfully implement its development goals, achieve high growth rates, and become a country with significant influence in the Asia-Pacific region.

The General Secretary also shared Vietnam’s situation after 40 years of implementing the Đổi Mới (Renovation) process, noting that the country is striving to enter a new era of national advancement.

Both host and guest agreed to deepen the political trust between the two countries by promoting exchanges at all levels through all channels and people-to-people interactions in order to strengthen the political and social foundation and expand cooperation in all other fields. They also agreed to further promote defence and security cooperation, enhance collaboration in defence industry and military technology.

The two leaders appreciated the positive progress in economic, trade, and investment cooperation, affirming that both economies have great potential for further development. They were adamant that the newly established strategic partnership would bring a fresh boost to the economic relationship between the two countries, aiming to double trade turnover in the near future.

Both sides agreed to enhance the effectiveness of the Vietnam-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Committee on economic, trade, and scientific-technical cooperation; effectively implement the Joint Action Plan for promoting economic and trade cooperation during the 2023-2025 period, and develop a direction for 2030, with the goal of raising bilateral trade turnover to US$5 billion by 2030.

Tokayev voiced Kazakhstan’s willingness to create the best conditions for Vietnamese businesses to operate in Kazakhstan, highlighting the need for both countries to establish favourable mechanisms and policies, including direct air routes and relaxed visa policies, to enhance business cooperation.

Kazakhstan will increase imports of key products from Vietnam, such as textiles, apparel, and footwear, he said.

The two leaders highly valued the potential in areas such as energy and mining, transport and logistics, finance, tourism, education and training, human resource development, and science and technology, considering them key areas of focus in bilateral relations moving forward.

Lam requested that Kazakhstan support the establishment of a Vietnam Trade Representative Office in Kazakhstan and the Vietnam-Kazakhstan Business Council to boost trade promotion, investment, and business connections between the two countries.

He said he believes that the two sides have great potential to further strengthen their relations and complement each other’s strengths, by enhancing connectivity, people-to-people exchanges, and tourism cooperation, as Vietnam boasts beautiful beaches, while Kazakhstan has vast steppes.

The two leaders appreciated the frequent cooperation and mutual support between the two countries at multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence-Building Measures in Asia (CICA). They maintained that Vietnam is ready to help Kazakhstan enhance cooperation with countries in Southeast Asia, while Kazakhstan would serve as a bridge for Vietnam to increase cooperation with Central Asian nations.

Regarding regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides emphasised the resolution of differences and disputes through peaceful means, based on international law and the United Nations Charter. They voiced support for the position of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on the South China Sea (East Sea) issue, in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, General Secretary To Lam respectfully invited President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev to visit Vietnam at a suitable time, and the invitation was accepted with pleasure.

After the talks, President Tokayev presented the Order of Dostyk, first class, to General Secretary To Lam.

The two leaders also witnessed the signing of cooperation documents in areas such as justice, science and technology, energy, aviation, culture and sports, and media.

The two sides approved a joint statement on the establishment of a Vietnam-Kazakhstan strategic partnership.

Vietnam - Kazakhstan businesses urged to leverage strengths for greater cooperation

VOV.VN - Party General Secretary To Lam urged businesses from Vietnam and Kazakhstan to leverage their respective strengths to build and form value chains, connecting not only with each other but also with the global market, in order to expand investment and trade cooperation in the time to come.