(VOVworld) – General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong begins an official visit to Belarus on Wednesday. The visit aims to strengthen traditional relations and political trust and exchange suggestions for boosting cooperation and coordination at international forums.
Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Valery Sadokho
This is the first ever visit by Mr. Trong as Party General Secretary to Belarus. He and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will discuss specific measures to strengthen the traditional relationship and deepen multifaceted cooperation.
The good traditional relationship
The Vietnam-Belarus relationship has grown from ties established before the collapse of the Soviet Union. In past years, the two countries have continuously strengthened their relationship. Trade revenues have increased 7 folds in the past 10 years to about 200 million USD annually. Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit is expected to boost bilateral cooperation, especially in trade and investment. Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Valery Sadokho told VOV prior to the visit: “Belarus appreciates this important visit. The two countries have always been good friends and supported each other. We hope that during the visit we can raise our partnership to a higher level and broaden cooperation in economics, education, and culture. The two countries have many advantages for fostering cooperation for mutual benefit.”
Vietnam and Belarus are the final stage of negotiation for a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus, and Kazakhstan. The 8th round of negotiations will take place in December and it is expected the FTA will be signed early next year. The agreement will benefit the signatories by reducing import taxes and increasing the competitiveness of their goods in other countries. Belarus is noted for manufacturing heavy trucks and haulage equipment. Vietnam can supply many kinds of agricultural products that Belarus does not produce.
Vietnam-Belarus cooperation potential
Vietnam and Belarus are considering a direct air route to create more opportunities for trade and tourism. Ambassador Valery Sadokho said: “Direct flights between Vietnam and Belarus will connect to other flights in Europe. Belarus is interested in opening flights to Asia for tourism. Vietnam has many tourist attractions such as nice beaches, resorts, abundant kinds of tropical fruits and seafood. More and more Belarusian tourists are traveling to Vietnam.”
Belarus has cooperated with Vietnam in training senior cadres and experts. Scientific and technological cooperation has been promoted through a number of successful projects. Labor export is a new cooperation field. Vietnamese enterprises have contracted with a Belarusian construction company to hire Vietnamese workers for the construction of a Sports and Entertainment Center in Minsk. Cooperative agreements have been signed between Hanoi and Minsk, Da Nang and Grodno, Ho Chi Minh city and Minsk. About 1000 Vietnamese are living in Belarus. They have been given incentives to stay and do business according to local law.
During Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit, several cooperative agreements will be signed.