Vietnamese leader To Lam meets with world leaders in Paris

Meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, To Lam reiterated Vietnam’s policy of strengthening its comprehensive partnership with Canada based on mutual benefit and trust, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, and development both regionally and globally.

He thanked Canada for relief aid worth CAD560,000 to help Vietnam recover from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi.

Congratulating Canada on assuming the presidency of the Group of Seven (G7), To Lam affirmed that Vietnam would continue to work alongside Canada and other G7 members to contribute to cooperation efforts, particularly in areas of green growth and sustainable development.

To further enhance the comprehensive partnership, the Vietnamese leader proposed increasing high-level and various other exchanges, improving the effectiveness of existing bilateral dialogue mechanisms, and effectively leveraging opportunities from the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) for deeper and more effective cooperation in economics, trade, and investment.

He also called for strengthened collaboration in addressing climate change and at multilateral forums, including the United Nations and the International Organization of La Francophonie.

Agreeing with To Lam’s proposals, Trudeau reaffirmed Canada’s commitment to advancing the comprehensive partnership in priority areas, especially in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade, defense, education-training, and people-to-people exchanges. He also reiterated Canadian support for Vietnam’s engagement in United Nations peacekeeping missions.

To Lam requested that Trudeau and the Canadian government continue facilitating the Vietnamese community living and working in Canada. He extended an invitation for Trudeau to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

Trudeau gladly accepted the invitation and expressed his desire to visit Vietnam soon.

During his meeting with Belgian Prime Minister Alexander De Croo, To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitment to its traditional friendship and cooperation with Belgium, an important member of the European Union and the International Organization of La Francophonie.

He appreciated the Belgian Parliament passing a resolution to support victims of Agent Orange in Vietnam in October 2023, and expressed hope that Belgium would continue to assist Vietnam in addressing the consequences of war, particularly for Agent Orange victims.

He urged Belgium to step up the ratification of the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in lifting the yellow card against Vietnamese seafood exports. Additionally, he called for increased cooperation in renewable energy, logistics, high technology, artificial intelligence, green development, education and training, and cultural exchanges, while effectively utilizing the Vietnam-EU Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA).

De Croo expressed sympathy for the damage caused by Typhoon Yagi in Vietnam, commending the Vietnamese people for their resilience in responding to the disaster. He agreed with To Lam’s proposal to strengthen bilateral cooperation in combating climate change.

To further deepen Vietnam-Belgium relations, both leaders agreed to enhance exchanges at all levels, and increase mutual support at multilateral forums for peace, security, cooperation, and development in the region and the world at large

Both sides delved into discussions on regional and international issues of mutual concern to maintain peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in coastal and oceanic regions, including the East Sea.

They supported the importance of respecting international law and resolving disputes through peaceful means in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

At his meeting with Swiss President Viola Amherd, To Lam thanked Switzerland for supporting Vietnam with CHF1 million and promptly sending equipment and experts to help Vietnam recover from the impacts of Typhoon Yagi.

He noted that that the friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries have been developing positively after more than half a century of diplomatic relations. He proposed that both sides continue to promote bilateral relations in line with their potential in the coming time.

The two sides agreed to enhance delegation exchanges to create new momentum for cooperation across all fields. They vowed to finalize negotiations on the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) and to expand cooperation into areas such as education and training, science and technology, innovation, climate change response, digital transformation, and green transition.

Meanwhile, Amherd noted that Vietnam is an increasingly important economic partner for Switzerland in the region, and a high-priority partner for development cooperation. She expressed Switzerland’s readiness to support Vietnam in fulfilling its international commitments to climate change response.

Both sides emphasized the need to enhance coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and cooperation mechanisms, particularly the United Nations, the International Organization of La Francophonie, the ASEAN-Switzerland Sectoral Dialogue Partnership framework, and the World Economic Forum in Davos. They agreed to contribute to efforts to maintain peace, security, and stability in both regionally and globally.

To Lam asked the Swiss government to further support the community of 8,000 Vietnamese living, studying, and working in Switzerland, who positively contribute to Switzerland's socio-economic development and serve as a bridge to enhance understanding and friendship between the two peoples.

While meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, To Lam affirmed that Vietnam wishes to promote multifaceted and substantive cooperation with Armenia to effectively tap into the potential between the two countries, especially in the fields of economy and trade.

Pashinyan for his part recalled the important agreements reached during his Vietnam visit in 2019, and suggested that both sides closely coordinate to ensure the effective implementation of the signed documents.

On this occasion, he cordially invited the Vietnamese leader to visit Armenia at an appropriate time.