Minsk (VNA) - General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee To Lam met with Belarusian Prime Minister Aleksandr Turchin in the capital city of Minsk on May 12, within the framework of his state visit to the Republic of Belarus.

At the meeting, PM Turchin highly appreciated the significance of General Secretary Lam's state visit to Belarus, saying that the trip once again affirmed the trustful political relationship between the two countries and opened a new page in the history of bilateral cooperation with the two countries upgrading their relations to a Strategic Partnership.

Expressing his deep impression of Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements, he affirmed that Belarus highly appreciates Vietnam's increasingly important position and role in the region and the world, and wants to continue working with leaders of the two countries to further develop the relationship.

General Secretary Lam expressed his joy at visiting beautiful and hospitable Belarus and thanked the State and people of Belarus for their warm welcome and friendship given to the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.

He expressed his firm belief that, under the leadership of President A. Lukashenko and the effective administration of the Government headed by PM Turchin, with the efforts of ministries, sectors and businesses of the two countries, and the support of the people, Belarus will continue to reap many great achievements in socio-economic development, improving the quality of people's lives.

The General Secretary emphasised that Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship with Belarus, considering Belarus one of the important partners in the region and that Vietnam will never forget Belarus's sincere support for the Vietnamese people in the past struggle for national liberation and the current process of national development.

He tressed that Vietnam wishes for the bilateral relationship to be continuously consolidated and developed for the practical interests of the people of the two countries.

The General Secretary expressed his delight at signing the Joint Statement on the establishment of the Strategic Partnership between the two countries with Belarusian President Lukashenko, emphasising that this was a historic milestone, creating a strong impetus to bring the relationship between the two countries into a new stage of development, opening up many opportunities for businesses of the two countries to invest, expand markets, and improve competitiveness in the context of many changes in the global economy.

General Secretary Lam emphasised Vietnam's determination to promote digital transformation; apply science and technology and innovation; develope green economy, circular economy; and at the same time, implement strategic infrastructure projects such as highways and high-speed railways, thus creating momentum for rapid and sustainable development for the country. He hoped that Belarus will strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in these areas, promoting the strengths of each side to achieve practical results.

꧅ The two leaders agreed that the relationship between the two countries is enjoying a new opportunity, and recognised that the two countries need to strongly promote the traditional foundation to expand substantive and effective cooperation.

They held that the two sides would develop an action programme to implement the newly upgraded Strategic Partnership; increase the exchange of high-level delegations and all levels; promote economic and trade relations in line with the strategic partnership; strengthen industrial cooperation, including automobile and tractor production, as well as cooperation in science and technology, education and training, culture, tourism, and people-to-people exchange; and enhance exchanges between young generations to preserve and continue the tradition of friendship and cooperation.

Highly agreeing with the cooperation proposals put forward by General Secretary Lam, PM Turchin agreed to promote bilateral cooperation in key areas such as agriculture, science and technology, transport, especially the development of a multimodal freight transport system and create more favourable conditions for trade, tourism and people-to-people exchange.

Discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern, the two sides affirmed that they will continue to cooperate closely at regional and international forums, jointly support the basic principles of international law, and actively contribute to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On this occasion, General Secretary Lam respectfully conveyed the regards and invitation of PM Pham Minh Chinh to PM Turchin to visit Vietnam soon. PM Turchin happily accepted the invitation./.