Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (L) and DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-un inspect the guard of honor

The Vietnamese top leader welcomed Chairman Kim, saying his official friendship visit to Vietnam marks a milestone in the history of relationship between the two Parties and countries and provides a good opportunity for the two countries’ leaders to inform each other of their respective situation and exchange views on how to develop the bilateral ties, as well as on regional and international issues of shared concern.

The Vietnamese and DPRK leaders hold talks

Party leader and President Trong congratulated the DPRK people for their achievements in national construction and development. He said he believes that under the leadership of the Korean Workers’ Party led by Chairman Kim Jong-un, the DPRK people will continue to reap new successes in socialism building, national development, and improving people’s lives.

He affirmed that Vietnam consistently follows the external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, and the multilateralisation and diversification of external ties; while taking on its role as a trustworthy friend and partner, and a responsible member of the international community. 

The Vietnamese Party, State and people always treasure the traditional friendship with the DPRK and want to further intensify ties between the two Parties and countries for the benefit of the two peoples, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world, he stated. 

Chairman Kim thanked the host, the Vietnamese Party and its people for their warm welcome and active support for the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit. The guest highlighted the DPRK Party and State’s consistent stance of valuing the traditional friendship with Vietnam, which was founded and nurtured by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il-sung, and veteran leaders of the two Parties and countries. 

Both sides agreed to facilitate high-level visits and contacts; as well as to expand the exchange of all-level delegations via the Party, State and mass organisation channels to increase mutual understanding in fields of common demand. 

They will effectively maintain regular dialogue and cooperation mechanisms, including the deputy ministerial-level political consultation and the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Scientific-Technological Cooperation; explore the possibility of mutually-beneficial collaboration in fields suitable to each side; expand cultural, arts, sports, and people-to-people exchanges; and hold activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2020. 

On regional and global issues, they pledged to work closely together at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the ASEAN Regional Forum, and to intensify the exchange of ideas on issues regarding peace and stability maintenance in the region.