Vietnam expects more substantive, effective ties with Arab League: President
To build on the cordial relations, President Luong Cuong called for enhanced political and diplomatic engagement to deepen trust and mutual understanding between Vietnam and AL member states.
State President Luong Cuong (L) meets with Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo on August 4. (Photo: VNA)
Cairo (VNA)❀ – State President Luong Cuong led a high-ranking delegation to the Arab League (AL) headquarters in Cairo on August 4, underscoring Vietnam’s wish to foster more substantive and effective ties with the AL and all of its member states, most of whom are long-standing friends and key economic partners.
Meeting with AL Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit right after the Vietnamese flag hoisting ceremony at the AL headquarters, President Cuong praised the AL’s active role in promoting peace, stability, and development across the Middle East, Africa, and the world. He expressed confidence that the AL will continue to achieve greater successes in building a united, prosperous, and dynamic community across various sectors.
To build on the cordial relations, he called for enhanced political and diplomatic engagement to deepen trust and mutual understanding between Vietnam and AL member states. He urged both parties to actively implement the existing cooperation agreements, a focus of which is the memorandum of understanding between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the AL Secretariat.
The Vietnamese leader also pushed for closer consultation and mutual support at multilateral forums, notably the United Nations (UN) and the Non-Aligned Movement.
Agreeing with the AL Secretary-General’s proposal to boost cooperation between the AL and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), he underlined Vietnam’s readiness to serve as a bridge to connect the two sides.
Gheit, in response, highlighted the historic significance of the first visit by a Vietnamese State leader, which reflects Vietnam’s high regard for the AL and the enduring bonds between the Vietnamese and Arab peoples. He said the Arab countries highly anticipated President Cuong's keynote policy speech during the visit.
The meeting between Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and Secretary-General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit in Cairo on August 4. (Photo: VNA)
He noted that since the 1950s, Egypt and other Arab nations, including himself, had closely followed Vietnam’s monumental struggle for independence, viewing it as an inspiring model for their national liberation movements.
The host described Vietnam’s fight for independence as a proud chapter not only in its history but also fraternal nations worldwide. He lauded Vietnam’s remarkable development achievements in recent decades while expressing his admiration for late President Ho Chi Minh, who had surmounted countless difficulties to seek a path forward for the Vietnamese people.
The AL and its member states value their comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam, he said, expressing gratitude for Vietnam’s balanced stance on international issues in line with international law and the UN Charter, including its support for the just cause of the Palestinian people.
The Secretary-General affirmed that, to the best of his ability, he will strive to advance ties between Vietnam and the AL, as well as its 22 member states./.
Amidst the complicated situation, President Cuong called on countries worldwide to demonstrate clear responsibility for world peace, uphold multilateralism, respect the UN Charter, international law, and widely recognised common principles of conduct, while respecting the legitimate interests of medium and small countries.
President Cuong assessed that in recent years, the relations between Vietnam and Middle Eastern and African countries have made clear progress, with high-level delegation exchanges taking place actively; and that there is great room for cooperation and expanding Vietnam's interests in the region.
Egypt stands out as one of Vietnam’s most important trading partners and a promising market in Africa. Notably, Egypt was the first North African country to officially recognise Vietnam as a full market economy in November 2013.
Party General Secretary To Lam said since Vietnam and the RoK established their diplomatic ties in 1992 and upgraded their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in 2022, they have enjoyed expanded collaboration, delivering tangible benefits to their peoples and businesses.
The state visit to the RoK by Vietnamese Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse was a great success, marking a significant milestone and opening a new chapter in the Vietnam–RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
In any circumstances, the Lao People’s Army will always stand shoulder to shoulder with its Vietnamese counterpart to safeguard both nations and nurture their great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.
State President Luong Cuong sent a congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Ecuador Daniel Noboa on the occasion of the 216th National Day of the South American country (August 10).
Vietnam and the RoK should maintain regular exchanges at all levels, especially high level, across the Party, State, Government, National Assembly, and people-to-people channels; expand cooperation in diplomacy, national defence-security, economy, and sci-tech; and effectively realise existing cooperation mechanisms and agreements, said Party leader To Lam.
Party General Secretary Lam called on the RoK to help enhance the capacity of Vietnamese firms to integrate more deeply into the global supply chains of Korean companies, and to encourage Korean businesses to expand investment in Vietnam, particularly in infrastructure development, high-tech electronics manufacturing, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, and smart cities.
Vietnamese brides in the Republic of Korea urged educational support, particularly access to Vietnamese language classes for their children, age-appropriate curricula, and resources for single mothers while meeting with Ngo Phuong Ly, spouse of Party General Secretary To Lam.
President of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Lee Jae Myung emphasised that the first visit to the RoK by General Secretary Lam in his capacity as the top leader of Vietnam holds special significance as it creates strong momentum for enhancing mutual understanding, strengthening political trust, and further promoting the RoK – Vietnam Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the next phase.
The supervision team urged the Government to promptly issue a national human resources development strategy until 2030, with a vision to 2050, and ensure sufficient funding for strategy implementation.
Regarding the East Sea issue, Vietnam reaffirmed its consistent stance of solving all disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The leaders noted that the two sides had agreed to turn scientific and technological cooperation into a pillar and a new highlight of bilateral relations.
This is a crucial session to consider and give opinions on a wide range of issues to be submitted to the NA's 10th sitting – the final of the current term, which will review the 2021–2026 tenure and prepare for the celebration of the 80th anniversary of Vietnam’s first general election.
The signed documents include a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on scientific and technological cooperation, an MoU on copyright and related rights cooperation, and another on strengthening collaboration in renewable energy.
Vietnam’s participation in AMNEX 3 demonstrates its commitment as a member of the ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM) and responds to the invitation of the Royal Malaysian Navy, showing support for multilateral international activities hosted by Malaysia.
Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1992, the bilateral relationship has become a model of a very special, effective, and substantive partnership.
Addressing the meeting, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his pleasure at meeting a large number of Vietnamese living and working in the RoK, acknowledging and appreciating their efforts in contributing to the growing Vietnam–RoK partnership.
He also welcomed the “Vietnam Private Sector Panorama” as a platform for dialogue, awareness-raising, and inspiring a wealth-creation movement, emphasising that it must deliver tangible results.
During a meeting on August 10 in Seoul with 100 representatives from the RoK’s intellectuals, associations, people’s organisations, businesses, and non-governmental organisations operating in Vietnam, Party General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude to Korean friendship, economic, cultural associations, universities, research institutes, individuals, and NGOs for their significant contributions to nurturing the Vietnam–RoK relationship.
