Vietnam, Panama celebrate half a century of friendship, cooperation
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Latin America on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (August 28, 1975 – 2025), former Panamanian Ambassador to Vietnam Servio S. Samudio underscored the positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation over the past five decades, which mirror the development achievements of both nations.
Panamanian Foreign Minister Javier Martínez-Acha Vásquez and Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico and concurrent Ambassador to Panama Nguyen Van Hai at a celebration marking diplomatic relations. (photo published by VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)🔯 – Vietnam and Panama are set to further consolidate and expand their cooperation both within bilateral and multilateral frameworks, thanks to the sustained efforts of successive generations, a Panamanian diplomat has affirmed.
Speaking to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Latin America on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (August 28, 1975 – 2025), former Panamanian Ambassador to Vietnam Servio S. Samudio underscored the positive outcomes of bilateral cooperation over the past five decades, which mirror the development achievements of both nations.
He recalled that Panama was among the first Latin American countries to recognise the Socialist Republic of Vietnam after national reunification. Since then, the two sides have signed numerous important agreements across culture, agriculture, science and technology, and maritime affairs, thereby establishing a solid legal framework for bilateral ties.
Samudio highlighted the cultural affinities and shared national identities between Vietnam and Panama, which have nurtured mutual understanding, opened new opportunities for collaboration, and fostered an atmosphere of closeness and friendship in both diplomatic and people-to-people exchanges.
Looking to the future, he emphasised that the potential for cooperation is immense and virtually boundless, noting that Panama has consistently supported Vietnam at international forums, further strengthening their partnership on the global stage.
Reflecting on his tenure in Vietnam, the former ambassador described it as a deeply meaningful period, shaped by the sincerity, responsibility, and human values shown by his Vietnamese counterparts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, where Panama has maintained a Consulate General since 1997./.
Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino Quintero praised Vietnam’s significant achievements in socio-economic development in recent years, describing them as a solid foundation for both sides to foster practical and mutually beneficial cooperation. He affirmed that the Government of Panama attaches great importance to its traditional friendship and cooperation with Vietnam.
Panama was one of the first Latin American countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam after reunification in 1975, and Vietnam always remembers and values Panama’s solidarity during its past struggle for liberation and ongoing national construction process.
With the title “De enemigos a vecinos: veteranos de EE.UU. eligen Vietnam para la última etapa de su vida” (From enemies to neighbours: American veterans choose Vietnam for the final chapter of their lives), the article realistically depicts the humane journey of reconciliation between former soldiers.
The top legislator’s attendance at AIPA-46 is made at the invitation of Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Dato' Johari Bin Abdul, who is also AIPA-46 President, while his official visit is made at the invitation of President of the Malaysian Senate Dato’ Awang Bemee Awang Ali Basah.
The PM highlighted focal points in the scheme - institutions and policies; management and governance; investment resources with a target of 5% of total public investment for education and 3% for higher education; teacher and talent development; student support; autonomy and innovation in educational institutions; and digital and foreign language capacity.
The Vietnamese community in Japan, now nearly 700,000 strong and the second-largest foreign community in the country, has not only integrated well into the host society but also actively maintained its cultural identity, language and traditions.
Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man's attendance at AIPA-46 shows Vietnam’s proactive, responsible participation in AIPA alongside other member parliaments, and the country’s commitment to broadening its parliamentary relations with nations beyond the region.
The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has shown strong performance in its role as Vietnam’s leading external communications agency, consistently providing the international community with official information about the country, commented Secretary General of the Swiss-Viet Economic Forum (SVEF) Rachel Isenschmid.
Malaysia hopes that this visit will expand parliamentary exchanges through joint committee participation, staff-level cooperation, and shared capacity-building initiatives, said Malaysian Ambassador to Vietnam Dato' Tan Yang Thai.
The documents comprise Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW on international integration in the new situation, Resolution No. 70-NQ/TW on ensuring national energy security through 2030, with a vision to 2045, Resolution No. 71-NQ/TW on breakthroughs in education and training development, and Resolution No. 72-NQ/TW on some breakthrough solutions to strengthen the protection, care, and improvement of public health.
Defence Minister Gen. Phan Van Giang expressed his hope that collaboration between the Ministry of National Defence of Vietnam and the Maritime Board of Russia will continue to be strengthened on the basis of mutual benefit, in line with international law and the laws of each country.
Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Berris Ekinci affirmed Turkey’s desire to deepen cooperation with Vietnam, noting that since establishing diplomatic ties in 1978, the two countries have maintained effective collaboration in trade, investment, defence industry, culture, and tourism.
The host leader agreed with the Vietnamese diplomat’s proposals to enhance parliamentary cooperation, including promoting the activities of the parliamentary friendship groups and sharing legislative experience, considering them important drivers for bilateral ties.
PM Pham Minh Chinh underscored the importance of solidarity and unanimity between the NA and the Government in performing tasks, including the building of a legal system that promotes a law-governed socialist State of the people, by the people, and for the people.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the entire foreign affairs sector, including the diplomatic service, to continue playing a pioneering role in creating a peaceful and stable environment, and maximising external resources and favourable conditions to spur national development, particularly to achieve the development goals for 2030 and 2045.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on September 15 sent a congratulatory message to Chandrapuram Ponnusami Radhakrishnan, who took oath as Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (upper house) and Vice President of India.
Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Cam Tu underscored that preparations for the first congress of the Party Committee of Central Party Agencies for the 2025–2030 tenure must be thorough and meticulous.
At AIPA-46, Vietnam will actively engage and put forward proposals and initiatives to further strengthen regional cooperation, and the role and contribution of parliamentary diplomacy, said Deputy Foreign Minister Le Anh Tuan.
The National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee on September 13 issued Resolution No. 1825/NQ-UBTVQH15 approving the proposal of the Prosecutor General of the Supreme People’s Procuracy to initiate legal proceedings against and detain Tran Van Thuc, a deputy of the 15th NA.
