Vietnam's top leader meets foreign leaders on sidelines of International Space Summit

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam, his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived in Paris early in the morning of September 10 (local time), beginning an official visit to France and attendance at the International Space Summit at the invitation of French President Emmanuel Macron. A welcome ceremony for General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam and his spouse was held with full state honours at the Invalides in Paris on the afternoon of September 10 (local time). The two leaders agreed to actively exchange all-level delegations, soon establish new cooperation mechanisms commensurate with the level of bilateral ties, and effectively implement the Vietnam-France Action Plan for 2026-2028. They concurred to continue strengthening cooperation in defence and security, United Nations peacekeeping operations, and in preventing and combating organised transnational crime, among other areas. In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam highly valued French President Emmanuel Macron’s initiative to organise the International Space Summit, which provides an opportunity for countries to exchange views and help shape a new vision in which the development of capabilities goes hand in hand with responsibility, and national interests are aligned with the common interests of the international community. Vietnam attaches importance to its relations with France, one of its leading partners in Europe and on the international stage, and wishes to continue close coordination with France to deepen the bilateral Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in a substantive and effective manner. The official visit to France by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam from September 9-12 demonstrates the close ties the two countries have built and maintained, according to Dr. Sophie Boisseau du Rocher, a member of the Asie21 research group and former researcher at the Centre for Asian Studies of the French Institute of International Relations (IFRI). The Vietnam-France relationship is rooted in history but, more importantly, has been strengthened through sincere dialogue, mutual respect and forward-looking cooperation. The two countries have built solid ties in areas including economy, higher education, culture and people-to-people exchanges. In his speech, General Secretary and President Lam recalled the late leader’s years abroad seeking a path to national liberation and thanked the French people for their support during his years in France. He called Montreau Park a “red address” and sacred return site with deep historical meaning for Vietnamese visitors to France. Regarding Party-to-Party relations, the Vietnamese leader proposed the two sides maintain delegation exchanges, step up theoretical exchanges on issues of common concern and make effective use of the theoretical seminar mechanism. Nguyen Thi Thanh Nga, spouse of President of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man, had a meeting with Gantsetseg Tsendsuren, spouse of Chairman of the State Great Hural (Parliament) of Mongolia Sandag Byambatsogt, in Ulaanbaatar on September 10. The two sides noted that Vietnam-Mongolia relations have seen substantial progress across a variety of fields, particularly since the two countries established a Comprehensive Partnership during General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam’s visit to Mongolia in September 2024. The visit is particularly significant as it takes place in 2026, when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, one year after their ties were elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Building on the past gains and common perceptions reached by leaders of both countries and their legislatures, NA President Tran Thanh Man proposed that the Mongolia–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group remains a friendship bridge and drive substantive cooperation between the two parliaments. The two leaders concurred in enhancing the role of the two legislatures in supporting efforts to promote substantive and effective connectivity between the two economies, commensurate with each country's potential. Under the MoU between the Vietnamese and Mongolian parliaments, the two sides agreed to foster legislative cooperation, contributing to effectively realising orientations and agreements reached by leaders and driving the Vietnam-Mongolia Comprehensive Partnership in a substantive and effective manner. The Vietnamese National Assembly stands ready to remove institutional barriers and obstacles to facilitate Vietnam-Mongolia economic and trade cooperation, said National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man. Prime Minister Le Minh Hung said the laws are closely interrelated, have reciprocal impacts and remove bottlenecks, helping improve the legal framework, unlock resources, create new space and room for development, and contribute to achieving double-digit growth and sustainable development targets. The Office of the President held a press conference in Hanoi on September 10 to announce the President’s orders promulgating 15 laws adopted by the National Assembly (NA) at its first extraordinary session. Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Chernyshenko said high-level visits by Vietnamese leaders provide strong impetus for bilateral ties, noting that science and education have long been pillars of Vietnam-Russia relations. Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung on September 10 sent condolences to John Lee, Chief Executive of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR), China, over the death of former Chief Executive of the HKSAR Tung Chee-hwa. Thai King Maha Vajiralongkorn Phra Vajiraklaochaoyuhua and Queen Suthida will pay a State visit to Vietnam from September 14 to 16. Copyright, VietnamPlus, Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Editor-in-chief, Mr. Tran Tien Duan.