Top leader To Lam hosts welcome banquet for Panamanian President

In his remarks, General Secretary and President To Lam emphasised that President Mulino’s visit was of special significance to bilateral relations, expressing his belief that it would not only resume high-level contacts after a lengthy period but also provide fresh momentum for Vietnam-Panama ties to enter a new stage of more substantive, effective and deeper development.

Although Vietnam and Panama are separated by half the globe, the two countries share a special sense of affinity, rooted in the struggles of their peoples to secure and protect national independence and self-determination, as well as their shared aspirations for peace, development and a better future, he said.

The Vietnamese leader recalled the valuable solidarity and support extended by Latin American countries, including Panama, to the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national independence and reunification.

He highlighted a number of similarities between the two countries, from their tropical climates, long coastlines and maritime livelihoods to their emphasis on family and community, rich musical traditions and distinctive festivals.

Coffee, he noted, is another shared passion. For both Vietnamese and Panamanian people, coffee is not only an important product but is closely connected with culture, daily life and hospitality.

These cultural and social affinities can help bring the peoples of Vietnam and Panama closer together, he said, stressing that the friendship between the two countries should increasingly extend beyond State-to-State ties to stronger bonds between their peoples.

Looking back on more than half a century of bilateral relations, he affirmed the two countries could take pride in what they have built together and expressed confidence that much more could be achieved in the future.

“Let Panama continue to be a bridge bringing Vietnam closer to Latin America and the Caribbean, and let Vietnam become a bridge bringing Panama closer to Southeast Asia,” he said, calling for mutual understanding and friendship to remain the foundation for new opportunities for the two peoples, as well as for peace, cooperation and development in the two regions.

President Mulino for his part affirmed that beyond diplomatic protocol, the relationship between the two countries reflected a close friendship built over many years on mutual respect, sincere cooperation and a shared desire to bring their peoples closer together.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements over the past four decades, noting the country’s progress, driven by a long-term vision, clear goals and strong commitment to industrialisation, innovation and technology industries, would create major opportunities for expanding and deepening bilateral relations.

President Mulino also highlighted the importance of the ocean to both countries as a source of life and development, while pointing to their shared passion for coffee and their respective geographic positions and economic potential.

He reiterated the idea of the two countries serving as gateways to each other’s regions, with Panama connecting Vietnam to Latin America and the Caribbean and Vietnam connecting Panama to Southeast Asia.

The cooperation agreements signed during the visit were a clear expression of the two countries’ determination to make their partnership more comprehensive and concrete for the direct benefit of their peoples, he said.

President Mulino affirmed that the door to Panama was always open to Vietnam and expressed his determination to strengthen bilateral relations across all fields, describing the visit as the beginning of a new chapter, renewed commitments and a brighter phase in ties between the two countries.

Vietnam, Panama to deepen strategic cooperation and connectivity

VOV.VN - Vietnam and Panama will enhance strategic cooperation, particularly in trade, investment, agriculture, transport and logistics, while leveraging their respective positions to strengthen connectivity between Southeast Asia and Latin America.