(VOVWORLD) - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam will pay a state visit to the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and attend the 80th anniversary ceremony of the Workers’ Party of Korea from October 9–11. The visit, at the invitation of General Secretary of the Workers’ Party of Korea and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong Un, is an important milestone in bilateral relations, promoting stronger, more practical cooperation between Vietnam and the DPRK.
 The flags of Vietnam and Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (photo: VGP) |
This year Vietnam and the DPRK celebrate a Friendship Year marking the 75th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Mr. Lam’s visit to the DPRK is the first by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam in 18 years. The last one was by General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in 2007.
Solid foundation for bilateral ties
On January 31, 1950, the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam) and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea established diplomatic relations. Since then, friendship between the two countries has been cherished and developed by their Parties, States, and peoples.
The relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Workers’ Party of Korea has played a strategic role in shaping and sustaining bilateral ties. Cooperation in agriculture has been a highlight in bilateral ties while cultural and sports exchanges have gained many achievements.
Vietnam and the DPRK have signed multiple cooperation agreements in culture, science, technology, trade, maritime affairs, health, civil aviation, maritime transport, judicial assistance, and investment. They have maintained the Vietnam–DPRK Intergovernmental Committee on Economic and Scientific–Technical Cooperation.
At a reception to mark the 80th anniversary of the Workers’ Party of Korea on October 10, DPRK Ambassador to Vietnam Ri Sung Guk said: “We consistently value and make every effort to strengthen the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the DPRK and Vietnam, founded by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il Sung. The relationship between the two countries has been continuously consolidated and developed, in line with the aspirations and wishes of both peoples.”
Cooperation orientations in the new period
Based on this solid foundation, the two countries have maintained regular exchanges and high-level visits, strengthened political trust, and achieved more substantive cooperation outcomes. General Secretary To Lam’s upcoming visit to the DPRK, like the visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of the State Affairs of the DPRK Kim Jong Un in 2019, will demonstrate the warm friendship between the two Parties, States, and peoples.
The visit will be an opportunity for Vietnam to reaffirm its foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, and diversification and multilateralization of relations, of being a friend, a reliable partner, and a responsible member of the international community.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu said: “This is a very important occasion for the top leaders of the two Parties to discuss and agree on strategic orientations to strengthen bilateral cooperation between the two countries in the new period, in accordance with international regulations, and the aspirations of both peoples, particularly in healthcare, culture, people-to-people exchanges, and agricultural cooperation. As an active and responsible partner of the international community, Vietnam will continue to support efforts and initiatives for peace, stability, and development cooperation on the Korean Peninsula, in the region, and around the world.”
Building on past achievements, the Vietnam-DPRK relationship will continue to be preserved and enhanced. The Vietnamese Party leader ‘s visit, which comes at a crucial time for both Parties and nations, will help to bring the traditional friendship to new heights.