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President To Lam Embarks on Diplomatic Tour to Russia and France
Vietnamese President To Lam has begun visits to Russia and France. The tour aims to diversify Vietnam's foreign relations and enhance its international standing through meetings with leaders of both nations. Maintaining ties with Russia and strengthening European relations are key objectives.
Socialist Republic of Vietnam General Secretary and President To Lam has commenced official visits to Russia and France, following invitations from Russian President Vladimir Putin and French President Emmanuel Macron, respectively. This tour is seen as an endeavor by Vietnam to diversify its foreign policy and bolster its presence on the international stage. The delegation accompanying the Vietnamese leader includes a significant number of high-ranking officials from the Party and Government. Among them are Politburo member and Chairman of the Central Organization Commission Nguyen Duy Ngoc, Politburo member and Chairman of the Central Communication and Education Commission Trinh Van Quyet, Politburo member and Chairman of the Central Policy and Strategy Commission Nguyen Thanh Nghi, Politburo member, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, and Politburo member and Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Hoai Trung. The presence of such a distinguished group underscores the importance Vietnam places on these visits. The visit to Russia is expected to provide an opportunity to maintain and further develop the long-standing strategic partnership between the two countries. Meanwhile, the visit to France aims to deepen relations with a key European Union (EU) member state and explore cooperation across various sectors, including economy, culture, and security. As Vietnam's geopolitical significance in the Southeast Asian region grows, it prioritizes building balanced relationships with major global powers, making this European tour a crucial part of that strategy. Under Vietnam's one-party system, foreign policy is a critical component in balancing national security with economic development. Maintaining economic growth necessitates securing diverse markets and investment destinations, and strengthening ties with European nations is a key strategy in this regard. Furthermore, in the context of its complex relationship with China, enhancing relations with Russia and Europe is expected to broaden Vietnam's diplomatic options.
Original source
Bao Chinh Phu