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Review of world leaders' visits to VN in 2018

VGP – Leaders of many countries chose Viet Nam as a destination of their overseas working trips in 2018, which has shown the Southeast Asian nation’s increasingly important position and role in the international arena.

January 01, 2019 10:17 AM GMT+7

President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse (R) welcome President of the RoK Moon Jae-in and his spouse in Ha Noi

1. On March 22-24, 2018, President of the Republic of Korea Moon Jae-in paid a State visit to Viet Nam. The joint statement issued by the two countries’ leaders clearly pointed out that the Viet Nam-RoK friendly relations have been constantly growing.

Accordingly, the two sides fostered cooperation in 17 fields, including foreign affairs, security, defense, defense industry, and environment, among others. They affirmed the significance of the parties related to the East Sea region complying with international law, effectively and fully implementing the Declaration of the Conduct of the Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and promptly finalizing a code of conduct in the East Sea (COC).

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith

2. On July 3-7, 2018, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith paid a visit to Viet Nam. The leaders of the two countries affirmed the significance of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

The two sides agreed to continue working closely together to effectively implement the agreements reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and States, thus bringing bilateral relations to new heights. 

3. On September 11-12, President of Indonesia Joko Widodo paid a State visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of State President Tran Dai Quang.

Discussing bilateral ties, the two Presidents stressed the need to further deepen the bilateral strategic partnership in a more practical and effective way for the benefit of the two countries’ people, and for peace, cooperation and prosperity in the region and the world, in the context of deep changes in the Asia-Pacific region in general and ASEAN in particular.

Both sides agreed to increase all-level visits via the State, government, National Assembly channels and people-to-people exchange; make effective use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and share views on regional and global issues of mutual interest.

They spoke highly of the signing of an action program on realizing the bilateral strategic partnership for the 2019-2023 period, towards celebrating the 10th anniversary of the establishment of strategic partnership by 2023.

4. On November 2-4, 2018, French PM Édouard Philippe paid an official visit to Viet Nam at the invitation of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The two PMs agreed to foster contacts and exchanges, especially high-level ones and promote the role of coordinating cooperation mechanisms across politics, economy, defense, science and technology, culture, and education.

The two sides affirmed economic cooperation will still remain a priority area of the bilateral ties. In this regard, PM Philippe voiced support for early signing and ratification of the Viet Nam-EU free trade agreement, adding France will continue development assistance for Viet Nam in the future.

The pair agreed to encourage businesses of the two countries to enhance partnership in Viet Nam’s priority domain like infrastructure, energy, aviation, healthcare, climate change adaptation, and smart city development.

Both sides agreed to step up cooperation in such new field as e-Government development and modernization of state governance, underlining the importance of education and training as well as cultural cooperation.

The two leaders pledged to enhance collaboration to ensure the success of the 11th local-to-local cooperation conference scheduled to take place in Toulouse in April next year.

The two Government chief also agreed to strengthen coordination at multilateral forums, especially the United Nations and the Francophone community, and in global issues, particularly climate change adaptation.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diaz Canel Bermudez, Ha Noi, 2018 

5. On November 8-10, 2018, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba Miguel Mario Diáz Canel Bermúdez paid an official visit to Viet Nam, which formed part of his first working trip to Asia since his taking office.

The Vietnamese and Cuban leaders agreed to strengthen political trust, exchange experience in the renewal process, and facilitate multi-faceted cooperation, while signing many cooperation deals in the areas of economy-trade, science-technology, health care and agiculture. 

President Nguyen Phu Trong (R) receives Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Ha Noi, 2018

6. On November 18-19, 2018, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Anatolyevich Medvedev paid an official visit to Viet Nam. The leaders of the two countries warmly welcomed the significant achievements attained in Russia-Viet Nam multi-faceted cooperation.

They discussed the key issues in bilateral cooperation, concerning trade, investment, industry and energy, while accelerating the progress of implementing the cooperation projects in infrastructure, high technology, education and humanity. The two sides reached a consensus on the organization of the Russia-Viet Nam and Viet Nam-Russia Friendship Year in each other’s country in 2019.

General Secretary of the Communist Party of VN Central Committee (CPVCC) and President Nguyen Phu Trong (R) and Indian President Ram Nath Kovind

7. On November 18-20, 2018, Indian President Ram Nath Kovind paid a State visit to Viet Nam. It was his first overseas working trip since he took office, of which Viet Nam was the first destination. Kovind affirmed that Viet Nam plays an important role in India’s Look East policy and is a trusted partner of India in the ASEAN region.

Meanwhile, Viet Nam sees India as a trusted friend. The Indian President’s visit to Viet Nam has contributed to further promoting bilateral cooperation across diverse spheres.

Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech AkkaMohaSenaPadei Techo Hun Sen

8. On December 6-8, 2018, Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen paid an official visit to Viet Nam. The guest paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum in Ha Noi, commemorated martyrs and heroes, witnessed the signing of many cooperation deals in terms of the economy and trade, and discussed the prompt signing of a border trade agreement between the two sides.

PM Hun Sen emphasized the sustainable relations between Cambodia and Viet Nam, pledging to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese firms to do business in Cambodia.

                                                                                                                                 By Vien Nhu