Party General Secretary To Lam holds talks with Belarusian President  Aleksandr Lukashenko. Photo: Van Hieu/VOV

During the talks, the two leaders reiterated the importance of maintaining contacts at all levels and between ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries. They stressed the effective promotion of existing cooperation mechanisms with measures appropriate to the situation and conditions of each country.

The two leaders agreed to tap the cooperation potential more effectively from the Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU), of which Belarus is a member. General Secretary To Lam suggested that Belarus jointly study measures to facilitate the access of agricultural, aquatic and seafood products, agricultural fertilizers, among others to each other's markets, so as to increase the two-way import-export turnover.

Party leader To Lam speaks at the talks with Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

Both also agreed on important measures to expand cooperation to potential areas such as information technology, digital transformation, education and training, especially in basic sciences, culture and arts, sports, and scientific research. They affirmed that the two sides have signed a visa exemption agreement for ordinary passport holders effective from January 30, 2025, and that the organization of cultural cooperation programs will help enhance cooperation and exchange activities.

Vietnam and Belarus agreed to support each other at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations. General Secretary To Lam asked Belarus to support the stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on the East Sea issue, emphasize the settlement of disputes by peaceful means, on the basis of the United Nations Charter and international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko speaks at the talks with Party General Secretary To Lam. Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA

After the talks, the two leaders signed a Joint Statement on the establishment of the Vietnam-Belarus Strategic Partnership and witnessed the handover of cooperation documents in defense, science and technology, justice, health, culture, broadcasting and people-to-people exchange.

The Joint Statement said the two countries will continue to deepen cooperation in politics and diplomacy; defense and security; economy, trade and investment; science, technology, digital transformation and transportation; education and training, labor, justice, law enforcement and environment; culture, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges; and cooperation at multilateral forums.

Party leader Lam invited President Lukashenko to visit Vietnam soon and the invitation was accepted.