FM Le Hoai Trung, Belarusian counterpart Maxim Ryzhenkov hold talks to strengthen strategic partnership
WVR - On October 28, at the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung held talks with Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov during his official visit to Vietnam. The two sides pledged to deepen their strategic partnership and expand cooperation across multiple fields.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung welcomes Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs headquarters on October 28, (Photo: Quang Hoa). |
Minister Le Hoai Trung warmly welcomed Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov and the Belarusian Foreign Ministry delegation to Vietnam, affirming that Vietnam always values the traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Belarus, and appreciates the affection, support, and valuable assistance the Belarusian people have extended to Vietnam during the struggle for national independence and the current nation-building and development efforts. Minister Le Hoai Trung highly appreciated the positive developments in Vietnam-Belarus relations in recent times, especially following the state visit to Belarus by General Secretary To Lam in May 2025 and the establishment of the strategic partnership between the two countries.
Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov expressed his pleasure at visiting Vietnam officially for the first time, thanking Minister Le Hoai Trung and the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs for the warm, sincere, and friendly reception given to the delegation. Minister Ryzhenkov expressed deep admiration and congratulated Vietnam on its significant achievements in socio-economic development and international integration; he appreciated Vietnam's increasingly elevated role and position in the region and on the international stage.
Minister Ryzhenkov affirmed that Belarus considers Vietnam one of its important partners in Southeast Asia and wishes to work with Vietnam to build on the traditional friendship and effectively utilize the strategic partnership framework. He suggested that both sides continue to maintain high-level exchanges and interactions at all levels through Party and State channels, effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms, and expand cooperation between the two countries' parliaments, localities, business connections, and people-to-people exchanges.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov sign the Cooperation Plan between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs for the period 2027-2029. (Photo: Quiang Hoa) |
In a friendly, sincere, and frank atmosphere, the two sides exchanged extensive views on bilateral cooperation and coordination between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs.
On political-diplomatic field, the two Ministers agreed to continue enhancing political trust, maintaining regular exchanges and contacts at all levels, especially high-level ones, and effectively implementing agreements and common understandings of the two countries' leaders.
They highly appreciated the close coordination between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs in recent times and agreed that the two Ministries should continue to play a coordinating role in promoting overall bilateral relations, maintaining effective political consultation mechanisms, and regularly reviewing the progress of agreement implementations. Both sides also agreed to work closely in preparing and effectively organizing upcoming high-level visits and contacts, with an immediate focus on successfully organizing activities to commemorate the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (1992 - 2027) and the 70th anniversary of President Ho Chi Minh's visit to Belarus (1957 - 2027).
Regarding economic-trade relations, the two Ministers acknowledged that current cooperation results do not match the potential, strengths, and good political relations between the two countries. They agreed on the need to boost bilateral trade and diversify the structure of goods, considering economic-trade cooperation a crucial pillar and a driving force for promoting bilateral cooperation in various fields in the future.
Minister Le Hoai Trung suggested that both sides more effectively exploit the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union as well as bilateral economic cooperation mechanisms; promote direct connections between businesses and enhance trade and investment promotion activities, facilitating the operations of businesses from both countries.
Minister Ryzhenkov proposed that both sides consider establishing trade and investment promotion centres in each country to support businesses in connecting, exploring markets, and strengthening cooperation in each other's markets.
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| The two ministers agreed to promote economic-trade cooperation, diversify the structure of goods, and effectively exploit the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union. (Photo: Quang Hoa). |
The two sides agreed to continue strengthening cooperation in traditional fields such as defence-security, education-training, tourism, and culture. The two Ministers agreed to encourage educational institutions to enhance linkages, student and lecturer exchanges, and research cooperation. Minister Ryzhenkov affirmed that Belarus is ready to continue accepting Vietnamese students to study in fields where Belarus has strengths, contributing to human resource training and strengthening the connection between the peoples of the two countries.
The two Ministers agreed to enhance cooperation in science-technology and innovation, aiming to form joint research and application programs in fields that meet each side's development needs. Both sides appreciated the significance of cultural, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges; they agreed to coordinate in organizing activities to promote culture, the country, and the people in each country, fostering exchanges among the younger generation, thereby solidifying the social foundation for the strategic partnership.
The two Ministers expressed their delight at Belarus opening flight routes connecting Minsk with Cam Ranh and Phu Quoc, significantly contributing to the increasing number of Belarusian tourists visiting Vietnam in recent times.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two Ministers agreed on the need to enhance exchanges, consultations, and coordination at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations; continue considering mutual support at international organizations and mechanisms. Minister Le Hoai Trung shared with Minister Ryzhenkov about Vietnam's foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, resilience, multilateralization, and diversification, ready to work with Belarus to make positive contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in each region and in the world.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov at the talks. (Photo: Quang Hoa) |
Before the talks, the two Ministers signed the Cooperation Plan between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Belarus for the period 2027 - 2029 to enhance coordination, play a leading role in urging agencies, ministries, and sectors of the two countries to implement high-level agreements, and propose measures to promote the Vietnam-Belarus strategic partnership across all fields.
On this occasion, Minister Ryzhenkov invited Minister Le Hoai Trung to pay an official visit to Belarus in 2027. Minister Le Hoai Trung thanked and gladly accepted the invitation.
