President receives ambassadors of RoK, Canada

President Tô Lâm meets the Ambassadors of the Republic of Korea Choi Young-sam on Friday. — VNA/VNS Photo Lâm Khánh

HÀ NỘI — President Tô Lâm hosted separate receptions in Hà Nội on Friday for the Ambassadors of the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Canada.

Meeting the RoK’s Ambassador Choi Young-sam, the President noted with pleasure the that Việt Nam-RoK relationship is at its best ever, with consolidated political trust and marked cooperation outcomes across spheres, notably the upgrade of the ties to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

President Lâm affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always treasure the partnership, and wish to work together with the RoK’s Government and people to promote the relationship, making it more intensive, tangible and effective.

The State leader suggested the two countries maintain all-level visits and meetings in various forms to consolidate their mutual political trust, while effectively implementing the action plan materialising the comprehensive strategic partnership.

The two sides should advance their defence-security ties to be on par with the comprehensive strategic partnership, particularly cooperation in fighting trans-national and non-traditional security crimes, he continued, calling for joint efforts to soon realise the target of raising two-way trade to US$100 billion, towards $150 billion by 2030.

The President also stressed the need to promote Korean investments in Việt Nam, thus creating a new wave of investment in such areas as high tech, semiconductors, digital transformation, green transition, and renewable energy; to foster collaboration in education, culture, tourism, locality-to-locality cooperation, and people-to-people exchanges; and to expand cooperation and mutual support in issues of regional and international concern.

For his part, Choi promised to make efforts to contribute to enhancing the bilateral ties practically and effectively in all areas, and expressed his hope for close cooperation with relevant agencies of Việt Nam in implementing collaboration agreements between the two countries, particularly those regarding delegation exchanges; and economic, trade and investment ties, especially in the areas of Việt Nam’s interest and the RoK’s strength like the construction of liquefied natural gas (LNG) thermal and nuclear power plants, and strategic infrastructure.

The ambassador also touched upon the expansion of practical cooperation in the defence industry, and the enhancement of collaboration in citizen protection.

He also pledged to play an active part in and support Việt Nam to successfully organise the Partnering for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in April 2025.

President Tô Lâm (right) and Canadian Ambassador Shawn Steil. — VNA/VNS Photo

At the reception for Canadian Ambassador Shawn Steil, President Lâm emphasised that Việt Nam attaches importance to its comprehensive partnership with Canada, and will maintain coordination with Canada in materialising commitments by the two countries’ leaders in order to deepen the bilateral ties on the basis of mutual benefits, contributing to maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Việt Nam highly values Canada’s policy that places importance on the Asia-Pacific region, and supports ASEAN’s role in regional cooperation mechanisms, he said.

Steil, in reply, congratulated Việt Nam on its achievements over the past years, and stressed that Canada treasures its comprehensive partnership with Việt Nam in its strategy towards the Indo-Pacific region; commits to continue coordinating with ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries to deepen the bilateral relations; and backs ASEAN’s centrality in the regional architecture.

Canada will work to foster its strategic partnership with ASEAN, and coordinate with Việt Nam in handling issues of regional and international concern, the diplomat added.

The two sides reviewed achievements recorded since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2017, especially in delegation exchanges, politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, national defence, and law enforcement.

Steil said Canada will remain a leading supporter of Việt Nam in its development, focusing on climate change response and green transition.

President Lâm also suggested the two sides continue with high-ranking delegation exchanges, and carry forward their existing cooperation mechanisms like the political consultation at the deputy foreign minister level, the Việt Nam – Canada Economic Joint Committee, as well as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

He hailed the ambassador’s initiatives to boost cooperation in the areas of shared concern such as economy-trade, innovation, energy transition, personnel training, national defence, and crime combat, and suggested the two sides enhance cooperation in sports and culture.

The State leader asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to Canadian Governor-General Mary Simon to pay an official visit to Việt Nam at an appropriate time.