Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung holds bilateral meetings with ASEAN Foreign Ministers in Cebu
WVR - On January 28, on the occasion of attending the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat in Cebu, Philippines, Politburo Member and Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung met with Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Prak Sokhonn, Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow, and Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof.
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During the meetings, Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung expressed his delight at the significant outcomes of the 14th National Congress of the Party, including the election of the General Secretary, the 14th Party Central Committee, and major policies and strategic breakthroughs aimed at building and developing Vietnam in the new era.
Foreign Minister Trung emphasized that to accelerate and make breakthroughs, Vietnam has identified new growth drivers as science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation. He affirmed Vietnam's steadfast commitment to an independent, self-reliant, peaceful, friendly, cooperative, and developmental foreign policy. He shared new foreign policy concepts, emphasizing resilience and enhancing international integration alongside national defense and security as key priorities.
Congratulating Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung on being elected to the Politburo by the Party Central Committee, and expressing admiration for Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, with economic growth among the top in the region and the world, the Foreign Ministers expressed confidence that under the astute leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary To Lam, Vietnam will successfully achieve its two centennial goals: By 2030, on the 100th anniversary of the Party's founding, to become a developing country with modern industry and high middle income; and by 2045, on the 100th anniversary of the nation's founding, to become a developed, high-income country.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung in talks with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation. |
* In the meeting with the Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Foreign Minister Trung affirmed that the policy of the Party and State of Vietnam always values relations with its two close neighbors, Cambodia and Laos. He expressed the desire to elevate Vietnam-Cambodia relations to a new height with high political trust, creating breakthroughs and sustainable, long-term development for the benefit of both countries.
Both sides were pleased to see that since the Bilateral Party Meeting and the Tripartite Party Meeting (02/2025), the relations between the two Parties and countries have become increasingly trustworthy and close-knit.
Under the close attention and direction of the high-level leaders of both countries, ministries and sectors have actively implemented cooperation agreements and achieved specific results, bringing the relationship into a more substantive and cohesive phase.
Both sides affirmed their determination to strengthen economic and transport connectivity, maintaining a peaceful, stable, and friendly border between the two countries.
The Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister agreed to further strengthen cooperation in preparation for the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2027. He thanked Vietnam for supporting Cambodia in organizing multilateral and international events, including the Francophonie Summit in 2027.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung and Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro. |
* In the meeting with Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs Maria Theresa Lazaro, Foreign Minister Trung expressed satisfaction with the excellent progress of the Vietnam-Philippines Strategic Partnership in recent times and expressed a desire to further enhance cooperation in maritime, marine scientific research, and fisheries.
Foreign Minister Trung also appreciated the theme of ASEAN 2026 and pledged support for the Philippines in successfully assuming the Chairmanship.
The Philippine Secretary of Foreign Affairs agreed to further strengthen cooperation in security, defense, maritime, tourism, and in addressing issues related to fishermen and vessels in a humanitarian spirit and the good Strategic Partnership between the two countries. He expressed the desire for the Vietnamese Government to facilitate the early establishment of a Philippine Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City to enhance economic, trade, investment cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges between the two countries.
On this occasion, the two sides exchanged Notes on the Vietnamese Government's support of 2,000 tons of rice to the Philippines to overcome the aftermath of storms and floods.
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| Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung in talks with Thai Foreign Minister Sihasak Phuangketkeow. |
* In the meeting with the Thai Foreign Minister, Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung emphasized the importance of the Vietnam-Thailand Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and wished Thailand success in organizing the general elections in early February 2026.
The two ministers agreed to continue strengthening political trust through promoting high-level and various level exchanges and effectively implementing key cooperation mechanisms in 2026 when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Minister Lê Hoài Trung also suggested that both sides soon complete the Action Program to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership for the 2026-2030 period, with substantive content to further deepen the newly upgraded relationship framework between the two countries.
Welcoming the positive results in defense, security, and economic cooperation, both sides supported the promotion of establishing a Joint Working Group to concretize and implement the "Three Connections" Strategy.
On this occasion, the Thai Foreign Minister requested the Vietnamese Government to continue addressing difficulties and creating more favourable conditions for Thai businesses to invest in Vietnam, especially in banking and renewable energy sectors.
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| Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung at the meeting with Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs Dato Erywan Pehin Yusof. |
* At the meeting with Brunei's Second Minister of Foreign Affairs, Foreign Minister Trung appreciated the positive development of the Vietnam-Brunei Comprehensive Partnership in recent times. He noted that the State visit to Vietnam by Brunei's Sultan Haji Hassanal Bolkiah at the end of 2025 was of special significance, creating new momentum to promote more substantive and effective bilateral relations.
The two Ministers agreed to continue maintaining the implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including organizing the third session of the Joint Committee on Vietnam-Brunei Bilateral Cooperation in 2026. They also agreed to effectively implement the Action Program to deploy the Vietnam-Brunei Darussalam Comprehensive Partnership for 2023-2027 and the signed commitments and agreements. They aim to maximize the potential for cooperation in areas such as economy, oil and gas, agriculture, fisheries, Halal, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges, striving to achieve a trade turnover target of 1 billion USD by 2030.
On this occasion, Brunei's Second Minister conveyed the Sultan's invitation to General Secretary To Lam for a State visit to Brunei in 2026.
During bilateral interactions, the Ministers also discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest. They emphasized the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety in the region. They highlighted the need to strengthen intra-bloc solidarity and unity, coordinate positions, and promote ASEAN's central role in regional and global issues. They also stressed the importance of fully and effectively implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and achieving an effective and substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) soon.
