During talks in Ottawa on Thursday, he applauded Vietnam's socio-economic achievements, its rising international stature, and its active contributions to the global community. Vietnam is a key partner of Canada in advancing relations with ASEAN and the Indo-Pacific region, PM Carney said.
Party leader and President Lam said Vietnam regards Canada as a trusted friend and partner, sharing numerous interests and strategic visions. He affirmed the need to focus on new priorities in their relationship by leveraging digital transformation, artificial intelligence, and other advanced technologies as new drivers of growth.
He called for more cooperation in researching, developing, and applying new technologies and sharing experience in digital transformation, including the development of a digital government, a digital economy, and a digital society, while also prioritizing high-quality human resource development.
Additionally, Mr. Lam urged Canada to continue to support the Vietnamese community in Canada so they can contribute to the local society and serve as a bridge of friendship between the two nations.
The two leaders agreed that the Vietnam-Canada relationship has met all the necessary conditions to advance to a new stage of development, characterized by higher levels of political trust, deeper and more substantive cooperation, and more closely intertwined interests - through the establishment of a Strategic Partnership. Both sides will promptly formulate a specific agenda and action plan to effectively implement this new framework.
They agreed to enhance high-level exchanges and contacts, boost parliamentary cooperation, effectively utilize bilateral mechanisms, including regular consultations and dialogues between the two foreign ministries, and coordinate and support each other at regional and multilateral forums.
The two sides reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and safety, and freedom of navigation and overflight in the South China Sea (called the East Sea in Vietnam), and agreed to resolve disputes through peaceful means based on international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Mr. Lam invited Mr. Carney to pay an official visit to Vietnam and attend the APEC Economic Leaders' Week in 2027. Prime Minister Carney gladly accepted the invitation, reiterating Canada's support and readiness to cooperate with Vietnam for the success of APEC.
The two leaders witnessed the exchange of cooperation documents between their agencies and announced the official elevation of the Vietnam-Canada relationship to a Strategic Partnership.
They said they’re confident the new framework will open a new chapter in bilateral ties, foster deeper, more substantive, and more effective cooperation, and contribute to peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development in the region and the world.
The same day, Party leader and President To Lam had a working luncheon with Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné and Speaker of the House of Commons Francis Scarpaleggia at the Parliament of Canada.
