General Secretary, President To Lam receives Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico
WVR - On the afternoon of April 13, at the Presidential Palace, General Secretary, President To Lam received Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico, who is on an official visit to Vietnam.
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| General Secretary, President To Lam meets Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico. (Source: VNA) |
During the meeting, General Secretary, President To Lam warmly welcomed and highly appreciated the visit of Prime Minister Robert Fico; emphasizing that this is the first visit by a foreign leader to Vietnam following the election of high-ranking state, government, and parliamentary leaders by the Vietnamese National Assembly. This visit is a testament to the sincere affection and regard that the Slovak government and people have for the traditional friendship between the two countries. It marks a special milestone, ushering the Vietnam-Slovakia relationship into a new phase of stable and substantive development.
The General Secretary, President affirmed that Vietnam always values, remembers, and sincerely thanks Slovakia for its valuable and effective support, both materially and spiritually, in Vietnam's nation-building efforts. He praised the achievements Slovakia has made under Prime Minister Robert Fico's leadership in domestic and foreign affairs, and in the process of European integration. He reiterated that Vietnam consistently values and seeks to deepen relations with Slovakia, a key traditional partner in Central and Eastern Europe. The Communist Party of Vietnam values and is ready to strengthen relations with Slovakia's political parties, especially with the Smer – SD (Social Democratic Party) and other parties in Prime Minister Robert Fico's ruling coalition.
Welcoming and appreciating the results of the talks between Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and Prime Minister Robert Fico, General Secretary, President To Lam expressed satisfaction that the two countries have officially upgraded their relationship to a Strategic Partnership, reflecting the high level of political trust between them.
Prime Minister Robert Fico expressed his joy and emotion at revisiting Vietnam, thanking the warm, respectful reception and the deep, friendly sentiments extended by General Secretary, President To Lam, and the Vietnamese leaders and people to the delegation. He shared his personal affection for Vietnam and its people, always admiring the heroic Vietnamese nation in its struggle for national liberation and a highly dynamic Vietnam in socio-economic development and international integration, especially Vietnam's sound foreign policy amidst the current complex global situation.
Prime Minister Robert Fico stated that Vietnam is always an inspiration for Slovakia to learn from in development and international and regional integration. He once again congratulated General Secretary To Lam on being elected as President, reflecting the trust of the Party, State, and people in his capability and prestige.
Prime Minister Robert Fico briefed General Secretary, President on recent developments in Slovakia, the positive outcomes of meetings and discussions with Vietnamese leaders, and the Vietnam-Slovakia Business Forum. He emphasized that Slovakia always considers Vietnam its most important partner in Southeast Asia and one of its top three partners in Asia.
Prime Minister Robert Fico highlighted Slovakia's delight at the results of the visit, especially the elevation of the bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership and the signing of numerous cooperation documents between the ministries, sectors, and businesses of both countries during this visit, which will create new momentum for cooperation.
Agreeing with the views of General Secretary, President To Lam, the Slovak Prime Minister stated that he would closely coordinate with Vietnam to immediately implement the agreements reached, particularly in breakthrough areas such as economic-trade, science-technology, defense-security, industry, renewable energy, tourism, high-tech agriculture, and artificial intelligence (AI).
General Secretary, President To Lam outlined several major directions for both sides to implement effectively and substantively, commensurate with the newly upgraded Strategic Partnership. Accordingly, both sides will enhance delegation exchanges at all levels across Party, State, Government, and people-to-people channels to further strengthen political trust.
Economic-trade and investment cooperation will become the main pillar of collaboration, focusing on establishing "lighthouse" projects in the automotive industry, renewable energy, high technology, digital transformation, and information technology, training high-quality human resources, enhancing labor cooperation, and expanding local cooperation between the two countries. Both nations will maximize their gateway positions to access the ASEAN and EU markets.
Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, both sides emphasized the importance of adhering to international law, respecting the United Nations Charter and fundamental principles of international relations; promoting the peaceful resolution of disputes based on dialogue, cooperation, and mutual respect; thereby contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment conducive to sustainable development and prosperity for nations.
Both sides highlighted the importance of people-to-people exchanges, considering it a solid foundation and an important driving force to enhance mutual understanding, strengthen traditional friendship, and consolidate comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
General Secretary, President To Lam expressed confidence that with the stature of a Strategic Partnership, Vietnam-Slovakia relations will continue to develop robustly, bringing tangible benefits to the peoples of both countries and contributing to peace and development in each region.
On this occasion, Prime Minister Robert Fico conveyed President Peter Pellegrini's invitation to General Secretary, President To Lam to visit Slovakia. General Secretary, President To Lam thanked and gladly accepted the invitation, stating that he would visit Slovakia at an appropriate time.
