Vietnamese President Luong Cuong and the high-level Vietnamese delegation have successfully concluded their working trip, which included official visits to Chile and Peru, as well as participation in the 2024 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Leaders’ Week in Lima, Peru, at the invitation of Chilean President Gabriel Boric Font and Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra.
The Vietnamese leader’s working trip conveyed an important message to international friends, especially to countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, about Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy, which values traditional friendly relations, including those with Chile and Peru. The Vietnamese president’s participation in the APEC Leaders’ Week affirms Vietnam’s commitment to APEC cooperation and its readiness to contribute more to peace, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region.
Vietnam-Chile: Promoting traditional friendly relations
The year 2024 marks the 55th anniversary of the historic meeting between Salvador Allende and President Ho Chi Minh, two leaders who laid the foundation for establishing diplomatic relations between their countries in 1971.
Since the establishment of diplomatic ties over 50 years ago, cooperation between Vietnam and Chile has achieved many positive results, with the two countries establishing a comprehensive partnership in 2007.
Although being half the globe away, the people of Vietnam and Chile have always been bound together by solidarity and friendship, as well as shared sacred values and ideologies of independence, freedom, peace, equality and justice.
During the official visit to Chile, in the capital Santiago de Chile, President Luong Cuong and his Chilean counterpart Gabriel Boric conducted extensive talks about friendly bilateral relations, exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual interest.
President Luong Cuong also held meetings with Senate President José Garcia Ruminot, President of the Chamber of Deputies Karol Cariola, received Santiago de Chile Mayor Irací Hassler, delivered a policy speech at the University of Chile and met with several prominent Chilean business leaders.
President Luong Cuong appreciated the Chilean government’s recent economic, social and foreign relations achievements, continuously enhancing Chile’s role in the region and the world.
President Gabriel Boric expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s great achievements during nearly 40 years of Doi Moi and international integration, as well as its recent socio-economic development results.
President Luong Cuong proposes five strategic directions for Vietnam-Chile relations
- Strengthening political trust and practical cooperation between Vietnam and Chile through high-level exchanges and interactions across various levels. This includes fostering mutual understanding and mutually beneficial cooperation in areas of potential and strength, particularly through exchanges and collaboration between the Communist Party of Vietnam and major political parties in Chile.
- Promoting economic linkages between Vietnam and Chile, identifying economic cooperation as the top priority and a core focus of bilateral relations.
- Enhancing bilateral investment opportunities and identifying priority cooperation areas of strategic significance to connect the two economies, aiming towards sustainable development and contribution to global prosperity.
- Expanding cooperation in education, culture, arts, and tourism to promote people-to-people connectivity and mutual understanding.
- Collaborating and supporting each other in international organisations and multilateral forums.
The two leaders agreed to intensify high-level activities to direct the development of Vietnam-Chile relations through bilateral visits and high-level interactions at international conferences and multilateral forums. They also expressed a shared desire to strengthen cooperation through legislative bodies, local governments, academic institutions, and people-to-people exchanges to deepen the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Chile.
Emphasising the importance of trade and investment relations for the development and prosperity of both nations, the leaders committed to enhancing coordination to improve the implementation of the Vietnam-Chile Free Trade Agreement (VCFTA) while marking the 10th anniversary of its entry into force (2014–2024), as well as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to which both countries are signatories.
President Luong Cuong and President Gabriel Boric pledged to expand bilateral cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as defence, security, agriculture, sustainable development, renewable energy, science, education, culture, and tourism. Both sides emphasised the need to further open markets for agricultural products from Vietnam and Chile to diversify bilateral trade and contribute to enhancing food security in both nations.
Acknowledging Vietnam’s recent establishment of a Defence Attaché Office in Chile and Chile’s opening of an Agricultural Attaché Office in Vietnam, the two leaders expressed confidence that these initiatives would enrich and deepen the bilateral relationship.
Under the leadership of the Communist Party, Vietnam is a wonderful country that always demonstrates a foreign policy of peace, friendship and cooperation. The Communist Party of Chile learns from Vietnam’s experience in the struggle for national liberation, identifying that the revolutionary cause is the cause of the entire people and that the country’s development requires the participation of all social classes.
President Luong Cuong and Lautaro Carmona, President of the Communist Party of Chile. (Photo: NDO) (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong and Lautaro Carmona, President of the Communist Party of Chile. (Photo: NDO) (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong meets with Karol Cariola, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, who is also head of the Chile - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong meets with Karol Cariola, Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, who is also head of the Chile - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong meets with President of the Chilean Senate José Garcia Ruminot. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong meets with President of the Chilean Senate José Garcia Ruminot. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong meets with prominent Chilean business leaders. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong meets with prominent Chilean business leaders. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong talks with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Chile. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong talks with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Chile. (Photo: VNA)
VIETNAM-PERU: CREATING MOTIVATION FOR A NEW CHAPTER OF COOPERATION
President Luong Cuong's official visit to Peru, which coincided with the 30th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between the two countries (November 14, 1994 - November 14, 2024), was the first visit by a Vietnamese president to Peru. The visit created a historic milestone in the bilateral ties.
In the capital city of Lima, in a friendly and open atmosphere, President Luong Cuong held talks with Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra and had meetings with Eduardo Salhuana, President of the Congress of Peru, and Gustavo Adriazén, President of the Council of Ministers of Peru.
President Luong Cuong and President Dina Boluarte shared their views on the friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding that have bound the two countries, with a solid foundation guaranteed by the sharing of visions in foreign policy, especially regarding contents such as protecting multilateralism, fully complying with international law, and promoting international trade and South-South cooperation.
The two sides affirmed the need to deepen political-economic dialogue, especially through the mechanisms of the Vietnam-Peru Intergovernmental Committee on Economic Issues and Technical Cooperation and Deputy Foreign Minister-level Political Consultation.
The two leaders affirmed their resolve to upgrade their bilateral ties and agreed to start discussions to soon make an official announcement. In that context, the two sides discussed the priority of opening the Vietnamese Embassy in the capital city of Lima. At the same time, he emphasised the importance of strengthening cooperation between legislative bodies, local authorities and people-to-people exchanges.
Peru is a close friend and a key important partner of Vietnam in the Latin American region. Vietnam treasures the role and position of Peru and is committed to deepening the relationship between the two countries.
President Luong Cuong and President Dina Boluarte shared their views on the need to further open the market for agricultural products of each country to diversify the bilateral trade structure and ensure food security in each country, as well as promote investment in each country. Notably, in 2023, Vietnam became Peru’s largest trading partner in Southeast Asia and the fifth in Asia. Peru is currently Vietnam’s sixth largest trading partner and the most important investment destination for Vietnam in the Latin American region.
The two sides emphasised the importance of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), to which both countries are members, and committed to further enhance the deep utilisation of the pact to strengthen bilateral economic and trade relations, while promoting an open, rules-based, fair, and inclusive global trading system.
At the same time, both sides recognised the importance of advancing and consolidating South-South cooperation and trilateral partnership as a mechanism to enhance bilateral relations, particularly in areas such as trade and investment, mining, oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, renewable energy, science, technology and innovation, and climate change response.
The two leaders reaffirmed their interest in implementing the Cultural Cooperation Agreement between Vietnam’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Peru’s Ministry of Culture, as signed on November 18, 2016, to increase mutual understanding of the traditions and customs of both countries through a cultural cooperation programme.
Sharing a common vision on current global challenges such as eradicating hunger and reducing poverty, climate change, environmental protection, renewable energy, ocean conservation, water resources, and food security, both sides reaffirmed their commitments to implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the commitments made at the United Nations Climate Change Conferences.
President Luong Cuong praised Peru's role as the host of the APEC 2024 presidency, especially through the promotion of key documents on transitioning to a formal economy, regional economic linkages, sustainable and inclusive growth, food security, and clean energy.
The Government of Peru will continue to create favourable conditions for Viettel to expand its business activities in Peru through its Bitel telecommunications project, particularly in digital transformation projects and smart city development, such that Bitel can consolidate its role as a typical model of cooperation between Vietnam and Peru, thereby attracting more investment from Vietnamese enterprises in Peru.
During the official visit, Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra presented the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru to Vietnamese President Luong Cuong.
Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra presents the Order of the Sun of Peru to State President Luong Cuong. (Photo: VNA)
Peruvian President Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra presents the Order of the Sun of Peru to State President Luong Cuong. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong speaks after being awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong speaks after being awarded the Grand Cross of the Order of the Sun of Peru. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam's State President Luong Cuong met with President of Congress of Peru Eduardo Salhuana. (Photo: VNA)
Vietnam's State President Luong Cuong met with President of Congress of Peru Eduardo Salhuana. (Photo: VNA)
APEC: EFFECTIVE RESPONSE TO COMMON CHALLENGES
Hosted by host Peru, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders Week held in Lima marks the culmination of cooperation activities in the APEC Year 2024. The focus of the week was a series of summits which took place from November 12 to 16, especially the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting, during which leaders of 21 member economies focused on discussing the inclusive development agenda, implementing APEC action plans and enhancing inter-regional economic connectivity.
Marking the 35th anniversary of APEC’s establishment and development, 2024 is of great significance to the forum, as members assess the results of cooperation over the past period and orient APEC’s development for the new period. Continuing the momentum of implementing APEC's inclusive development orientation, host Peru identified the theme of APEC Year 2024 as “Empowerment - Inclusion – Growth”. As such, Peru has prioritised major goals, including enhancing trade and investment for inclusive growth and connectivity; innovation and digitalisation to promote economic transformation; and sustainable growth for self-reliant development.
President Luong Cuong and leaders attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. (Photo: VNA)
President Luong Cuong and leaders attend the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Meeting. (Photo: VNA)
In his message as host of APEC 2024, Peru emphasised the goal of continuing the successful story of cooperation, integration, and economic connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region, promoting a new approach to the forum's economic cooperation agenda, especially in the context of the region and the world facing unprecedented challenges. APEC is aiming towards broader economic and technical cooperation, promoting prosperity and well-being for all people in the region.
Within the framework of the Summit Week, President Luong Cuong and members of the Vietnamese delegation actively participated in all activities, attended all activities of APEC Leaders, held a series of bilateral meetings with senior leaders of Vietnam's important partners, and exchanged with chairmen/CEOs of major corporations. The President also delivered a keynote speech at the APEC Business Summit 2024 with the participation of more than 1,000 leading business leaders of the region and the world.
As an active and responsible member of the international community, Vietnam will continue to closely coordinate with APEC members to effectively implement APEC’s orientations and visions. Building on the achievements of previous APEC years, Vietnam will carefully prepare for APEC 2027, aiming for a peaceful, prosperous, sustainable and inclusive Asia-Pacific.
Sharing his comments and assessments of the trends, opportunities and challenges of the region and the world, President Luong Cuong highlighted the fundamental principles of APEC, multilateralism, and free trade, and affirmed the importance of solidarity and consensus among members. The president emphasised the importance of APEC continuing to play the leading role, the driving force of global economic growth, and ensuring that people are at the centre of the economic development process.
President Luong Cuong proposed 3 lines of action: to further promote the role and contributions of APEC in the region and the world:
- Continue to promote trade and investment liberalisation; strengthen the multilateral trading system based on rules; create and maintain smooth economic links; further facilitate the flow of finance, technology, knowledge and labour across borders; and form and develop resilient and sustainable supply chains.
- Promote cooperation programs and initiatives on inclusive growth and inclusive technology; put people at the centre of the digital and green transformation process; prioritise solutions to narrow the digital gap and support disadvantaged communities in remote areas to access digital technologies and the fruits of innovation; and invest heavily in green infrastructure and digital infrastructure while cooperating in sharing new technology applications for dealing with global issues, especially climate change.
- It is crucial to enhance institutional capacity and global governance, promote structural reforms and improve APEC's institutional mechanisms in a streamlined, dynamic, adaptive and forward-looking manner and readiness to foster new growth drivers. Extensive participation and contributions from businesses and people—the key subjects, goals, and centres of APEC cooperation, should also be encouraged.
President Luong Cuong emphasised that over the past 35 years, APEC has consistently affirmed its indispensable role in the regional cooperation structure, linking global economic and technological hubs and leading efforts to capitalise on contemporary development trends for the benefit of all people.
The documents adopted at this year's Summit, including Peru's initiatives, reaffirm APEC economies' strong commitment to jointly addressing shared challenges, seizing new opportunities, and guiding regional and global cooperation and integration.
Attending the APEC 2024 Leaders’ Week, the Vietnamese delegation actively collaborated with APEC members to contribute to developing the APEC leaders' joint statement and other key documents.
In Lima, the 31st APEC Economic Leaders' Summit reached a consensus on the APEC Leaders’ joint statement and two notable initiatives by the host Peru, including the roadmap for advancing the transition to a formal and global economy and the Declaration on a renewed vision for the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific (FTAAP). Leaders also welcomed the Republic of Korea's hosting of APEC in 2025, China's hosting in 2026, and Vietnam's hosting in 2027.
President Luong Cuong affirmed that, as the APEC 2027 host and a member of the APEC structural reform working group for 2026-2030, Vietnam will continue to make positive contributions and effectively implement APEC cooperation's orientations and visions.
In the context of complex and unpredictable changes around the world and new challenges and opportunities faced by APEC after 35 years of its establishment and development, Vietnam's active, responsible, and constructive participation in the APEC Forum holds even greater significance.
President Luong Cuong's official visits to Chile and Peru and his participation in the APEC 2024 Leaders’ Week have deepened Vietnam's cooperative relations with partners in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthened ties with Chile and Peru, opening up numerous cooperation opportunities between Vietnam and Latin America.
At the same time, the President’s trip delivered a strong message of Vietnam entering a new era of the nation's rise, being a dynamic and innovative country, and a top destination for international investors.
Published: November 17, 2024
Production Manager: CHU HONG THANG – PHAM TRUONG SON
Content: NINH SON – VU PHONG
Design: NHA NAM