HCMC – Vietnam and Kazakhstan have agreed to elevate their bilateral ties to a strategic partnership during a visit by Party General Secretary To Lam to Kazakhstan today, May 6, marking a milestone in relations since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992.
Party General Secretary To Lam, welcomed with a state ceremony at the Presidential Palace in Astana, held talks with President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
The two leaders emphasized that the newly established strategic framework would tighten five key areas of cooperation: people-to-people exchange, economic ties, policy coordination, transportation, and interregional connectivity.
In addition, both sides acknowledged opportunities for deeper cooperation in energy, mining, logistics, finance, tourism, education, and science and technology.
While Kazakhstan expressed willingness to facilitate Vietnam’s outreach to Central Asia, Vietnam offered to serve as a bridge for Kazakhstan to engage with Southeast Asia, proposing the establishment of a trade representative office and a business council to facilitate investment and commercial engagement
President Tokayev called Vietnam a key partner in Asia-Pacific and celebrated the visit as the first ever by a Party General Secretary of Vietnam to Kazakhstan. He hailed the elevation of bilateral relations as a historic event and affirmed Kazakhstan’s pride in being Vietnam’s first strategic partner in Central Asia.
The Vietnamese leader emphasized the complementary strengths of the two nations and the potential for stronger tourism and people-to-people exchanges. To Lam also expressed gratitude for Kazakhstan’s support of the Vietnamese community living and working in the country.
The two sides outlined a vision to double bilateral trade to US$5 billion by 2030, backed by enhanced cooperation through the Vietnam-Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission and a joint action plan for 2023–2025.
Both countries reaffirmed their mutual support at forums including the United Nations and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA).
The two sides also exchanged views on regional and global issues of shared concern, emphasizing the importance of resolving differences and disputes through peaceful means, in accordance with international law and the United Nations Charter. They reaffirmed their support for ASEAN’s position on the East Sea issue, based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
