Vietnam, Kazakhstan forge Strategic Partnership during historic visit
WVR/VNA - Vietnam and Kazakhstan have officially elevated their bilateral relationship to a Strategic Partnership, during talks between Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Party General Secretary To Lam in Astana on May 6, during the latter’s ongoing state visit.
Latest
 |
| At the talks between General Secretary To Lam and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev on May 6. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
In the meeting, General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening relations with traditional partners, including Kazakhstan. He expressed appreciation for Kazakhstan’s support during Vietnam’s national liberation struggle and and its current process of national construction and development. He praised the Central Asian country's progress in maintaining political stability and fostering socio-economic development, highlighting its “Fair Kazakhstan” reform initiative and governance model of “a strong President – an influential Parliament – an accountable Government” as key drivers of its growing regional influence.
The Party leader believed that Kazakhstan will continue to successfully implement its development goals and become an influential nation in the Asia-Pacific region. He also shared insights about Vietnam's progress after 40 years of Doi moi (renewal), with the entire country now striving to enter what he described as a new era – that of the nation’s rise.
President Tokayev underscored the historic significance of the first visit to Kazakhstan by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1992. He reaffirmed that Kazakhstan values its friendship with Vietnam and sees the Southeast Asian nation as a key partner in the Asia-Pacific. President Tokayev noted that Vietnam is now Kazakhstan’s first Strategic Partner in Central Asia, laying a stronger foundation for future cooperation.
The two leaders exchanged their notes on orientations to foster the bilateral ties and agreed on specific measures to develop cooperative ties in a deeper and more substantive and effective manner, while discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern.
They reached consensus on deepening the political trust between the two countries through promoting delegation exchanges at all levels across all channels which helps strengthen the solid political and social foundation for expanding cooperation across all areas. They also concurred to enhance defence and security cooperation, particularly in defence industry and military technology. The two leaders lauded recent progress in bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, expressing confidence that the newly established strategic partnership will help double bilateral trade in the near future.
They agreed to enhance the effectiveness of the Vietnam–Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, to effectively implement the joint action plan on economic and trade collaboration for 2023–2025, and to formulate a roadmap through to 2030, with a shared goal of boosting bilateral trade to 5 billion USD by the end of the decade.
 |
| General Secretary To Lam reaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening relations with traditional partners, including Kazakhstan. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
President Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to create the most favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to operate in his country. He also called for practical mechanisms from both sides, the opening of direct flight routes, and more relaxed visa policies, to support stronger business ties.
Kazakhstan aims to increase imports of key Vietnamese products such as garments and footwear, he stressed.
The two leaders also recognised the vast potential for cooperation across a range of sectors including energy-mining, transport-logistics, finance, tourism, education-training, human resources development, and science-technology. They shared the view that these fields would become highlights in bilateral ties as well as focuses for both countries’ economic development.
Party General Secretary Lam suggested Kazakhstan support the establishment of a Vietnamese trade office there, as well as of a Vietnam-Kazakhstan Business Council, to facilitate trade promotion and enterprise connectivity.
He underscored the two nations’ cooperation potential and complementary strengths as well as the importance of strengthening their people-to-people exchange and tourism engagements. He also thanked the Kazakh President and authorities for their support for the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in Kazakhstan.
The leaders applauded regular mutual support and coordination at multilateral forums, particularly at the UN and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Vietnam expressed its willingness to act as a bridge for Kazakhstan’s increasing collaboration with Southeast Asian nations, while Kazakhstan offered to facilitate Vietnam’s outreach to Central Asia.
 |
| President Tokayev called for practical mechanisms from both sides, the opening of direct flight routes, and more relaxed visa policies, to support stronger business ties. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
On regional and international matters, both sides highlighted the importance of peaceful resolution of differences based on international law and the UN Charter. They affirmed their support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
On this occasion, the Party chief extended an invitation to President Tokayev to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time, with the latter graciously accepting.
Following the talks, President Tokayev awarded the Vietnamese leader Kazakhstan’s Order of Dostyk (Friendship) of the First Class. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in fields such as justice, science and technology, energy, aviation, culture, sports, and media.
A joint statement on the establishment of the Vietnam–Kazakhstan strategic partnership was also adopted.
Multimedia
Infographics Photos Videos E magazine
