Vietnam's Party General Secretary and State President To Lam met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and President of the European Commission (EC) Ursula von der Leyen in New York on Tuesday afternoon (local time) during his business trip to the U.S..

During the meeting with Ukrainian President Zelensky, the Vietnamese leader said Vietnam treasures the traditional friendship and comprehensive partnership with Ukraine.

The Southeast Asian country always keeps in mind the support of the people of the Soviet Union, including Ukrainians, during its struggle for national independence and reunification in the past and in its current development efforts, Lam noted.

He expressed his concern about the ongoing Ukraine-Russia conflict, urging for its ending to restore peace and ensure the security and safety of local residents and essential infrastructure.

The top Vietnamese official reiterated Vietnam's consistent stance that all international disputes should be resolved by peaceful measures and in compliance with the basic principles of the United Nations Charter and international law, especially the principle of respecting the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of countries and refraining from the use or threat of force.

He emphasized that Vietnam welcomes and supports international mediation efforts aimed at finding long-term peaceful solutions to the conflict, with the participation of all relevant parties in line with international law and the United Nations Charter.

The Vietnamese leader said that Vietnam, an active and responsible member of the international community, is ready to contribute to promoting dialogue and seeking solutions to soon stabilize the situation for peace and stability in the region and the world as a whole.

He stressed that once the conflict ends, Vietnam is willing to join hands with the international community to support Ukraine in the ensuing reconstruction efforts.

Ukrainian President Zelensky spoke highly of Vietnam's stance and thanked the Vietnamese government and people for providing humanitarian aid to Ukraine. 

He expressed his hope that Vietnam will endorse the declaration of the first Summit on Peace in Ukraine held in Switzerland in June and help Ukraine with mine and bomb clearance and settlement of conflict consequences.

The Ukrainian president affirmed that Ukraine is committed to ensuring safety for the Vietnamese people and the Vietnamese Embassy in Kyiv.

Both parties emphasized the importance of maintaining and enhancing bilateral cooperation through delegation exchanges at all levels. They also discussed finding effective and suitable measures to sustain and quickly restore bilateral trade.

Lam also thanked Ukraine for its support in ensuring the safety and evacuation of the Vietnamese citizens in Ukraine and hoped the Ukrainian government would continue its efforts to protect the lives and property of the Vietnamese people and enterprises in the country.

EC president wants early elevation of Vietnam-EU relations 

Meeting with EC President Ursula von der Leyen, Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President Lam congratulated Leyen on her re-election as president of the EC for the 2024-29 term.

He thanked the commission for offering sympathies and encouragement for the Vietnamese people after typhoon Yagi, which made landfall in northern Vietnam earlier this month, killed more than 290 people, and left huge destruction across the region.

Lam emphasized that the two sides should continue bolstering high-ranking delegation exchanges and optimizing existing cooperation and dialogue mechanisms. 

He also welcomed the EU's active role in the Asia-Pacific region, affirming that Vietnam is willing to act as a bridge between the EU and ASEAN countries in the framework of the ASEAN-EU Strategic Partnership.

The Vietnamese official noted that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) has provided fresh momentum for bilateral trade between the two sides since its implementation four years ago.

Vietnam has emerged as the EU’s largest trading partner in ASEAN, while the EU ranks as Vietnam’s fourth-largest trading partner and fifth-largest investor, Lam added.

He suggested both sides continue to effectively deploy the EVFTA, including giving the priority to the removal of hindrances in market access to each other’s goods, lifting the EC’s ‘yellow card’ warning, and supporting Vietnam in tackling illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing.

The Vietnamese leader recommended that the two sides strengthen cooperation in defense and security and in combating transnational organized crimes, especially hi-tech ones.

He called on the EU to intensify cooperation with and support for Vietnam in environmental protection, climate change adaptation, public governance, and green and circular economy development.

He sought the EU’s assistance in funding, technology, and manpower training to fulfill its commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, effectively implement the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and adapt to the EU’s new regulations on the environment and sustainable development.

Applauding Vietnam’s socio-economic development and international integration achievements, EC President Leyen affirmed that Vietnam is one of the EU’s key partners in its strategy of cooperating with the Asia-Pacific region.

She suggested that the two sides soon upgrade their relations to lay a foundation for their deeper, more practical and effective cooperation in all sectors in the coming time.

Backing the Vietnamese leader’s proposals, Leyen said that the EU would work closely with the country to efficiently realize agreements to boost cooperation in politics-diplomacy, trade-investment, defense-security, development cooperation, education-training, innovation, and cultural exchanges, as well as foster the collaboration in resolving global challenges.

She added that the EC would support Vietnam in environmental protection, climate change adaptation, and JETP implementation, and enhance cooperation within the framework of the Global Gateway Initiative.

As for the East Vietnam Sea situation, both sides agreed that disputes should be settled by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to contribute to ensuring navigation and aviation security, safety, and freedom, as well as enhance peace, stability, and prosperity in the region.

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, his spouse, and an entourage came to the U.S. to attend the United Nations Summit of the Future and the 79th session of the UN General Assembly and engage in other working sessions in the North American country from September 21 to 24.

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