President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev held talks with the President of Vietnam, Vo Van Thuong, as part of his official visit to the country on August 20.
They discussed the prospects for developing cooperation in trade, economic, investment, energy, transport and logistics, agro-industrial, cultural and humanitarian spheres.
President Tokayev thanked Vo Van Thuong for the hospitality and noted that he attaches great importance to the visit.
“This is my first visit to your beautiful country as the President of Kazakhstan. I attach the utmost importance to this visit. Vietnam's economic success is a solid foundation for further cooperation between our states. We pay significant attention to the economic and political interaction between our countries and fully appreciate the huge economic potential of Vietnam, as well as the country's authority in the international arena,” the Kazakh President said.
He noted that mutual trade exceeded half a billion dollars last year, and in the first six months of 2023 it has already reached $600 million. It is planned to increase mutual trade to $1 billion by the end of the year.
President Tokayev expressed confidence that the talks will lead to a new stage in the development of bilateral cooperation.
In turn, Vo Van Thuong expressed his intention to strengthen the close partnership between Kazakhstan and Vietnam.
“I am sure that your first official visit to our country will create a new impetus to enhance traditionally friendly relations and successful multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. I visited Kazakhstan and was impressed by the magnificent, beautiful country, and its hospitable people. Vietnam is closely following the development of Kazakhstan and the great successes that the Kazakh people have achieved under your leadership. I am sure that thanks to your experience and strategic vision, Kazakhstan will develop securely and steadily, contributing to the development and preservation of stability in the region and in the world,” the President of Vietnam said.
He added: “Vietnam remembers and thanks the people of Kazakhstan for the valuable support provided to us in the struggle for national liberation and reunification of the country in the past and assistance in the development of our country today. Vietnam attaches great importance to traditionally friendly relations with Kazakhstan and considers your country an important partner in Central Asia.”
In conclusion, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev invited President Vo Van Thuong to pay a state visit to Kazakhstan.
Following the talks, the two presidents adopted a joint communique. The delegations also signed several documents, including a 2023-2025 joint action plan for the accelerated development of trade and economic cooperation, an agreement on exemption from visa requirements for holders of national passports, memorandums of cooperation in tourism, trade, investment, e-commerce, and postal activities, oil and gas, and transport and logistics infrastructure.
The parties also concluded several agreements, including between the Kazakh Ministry of Industry and Infrastructure Development and VietJet Aviation company, between the Investment Committee of the Kazakh Foreign Ministry and Crystal Bay Tourism Group, between Microtech DFS Vietnam Company Limited and Vela Corporation, and between Kazakhstan’s Khabar Agency and Vietnam Television.
In a separate meeting on August 21 with Phạm Minh Chính, the Prime Minister of Vietnam, President Tokayev said Kazakhstan and Vietnam reached significant agreements to strengthen relations and cooperation across multiple sectors. Tokayev said the inked intergovernmental joint action plan for the accelerated development of trade and economic cooperation would enhance cooperation in trade, investment, technology, agriculture, transit, and tourism.
Highlighting a fresh impetus to bilateral cooperation given by Tokayev’s visit, Vietnam’s Prime Minister echoed that the signed documents between the two countries create a strong foundation for future interaction.