State President Luong Cuong arrived in Lima, Peru, on Tuesday for an official visit and to attend the 2024 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (AELW) at the invitation of his Peruvian counterpart Dina Ercilia Boluarte Zegarra.

The Vietnamese leader was welcomed at the Jorge Chavez International Airport by Peruvian government officials, including the Vietnamese Ambassador to Brazil and Peru Bui Van Nghi, from the Vietnamese Embassy in Peru, the Vietnam News Agency reported.

This official visit coincides with the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations.

It is expected to reinforce the political foundation between the two nations while improving multifaceted cooperation efficiency towards developing the bilateral ties to a new height.

According to Patricia Yolanda Ráez Portocarrero, Peruvian Ambassador to Vietnam, Cuong’s visit is a new milestone in Peru-Vietnam bilateral ties.

It also confirms the interest of both leaders investing in friendly and cooperative relations in various areas, including trade, telecommunications, agriculture, and tourism.

During the trip, which marks the first-ever visit by a state president of Vietnam to the South American country, President Cuong will speak with Peruvian President Dina Boluarte to discuss important topics in bilateral relations.

The Vietnamese leader is also scheduled to meet with Peru’s ministers, parliament leaders, and judiciary officials to strengthen friendship and relations. 

The Peruvian Ambassador commented that these meetings will open prospects for cooperation in many different areas.

Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong waves when being welcomed at Jorge Chavez International Airport in Peru’s capital Lima on November 12, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency

Over the past many years, Vietnam and Peru have mutually coordinated and supported at multilateral and international forums such as the United Nations, Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Forum for East Asia - Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC).

The two countries have numerous opportunities to boost bilateral trade as both are members of CPTPP, which provides preferential commitments across a wide range of sectors and industries.

Currently, Peru is Vietnam’s sixth-largest trading partner in Latin America and Vietnam is Peru's biggest trading partner in ASEAN, with two-way trade reaching almost $500 million in 2023 and nearing $300 million in the first seven months of 2024.

Currently, Peru is the largest Latin American recipient of Vietnamese investments with two projects in development totaling $1.24 billion by Vietnam’s telecom giant Viettel Group and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam).

Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang, who is among the officials accompanying the President, commented that Cuong’s attendance at the 2024 AELW, taking place from November 9 to 16, will affirm Vietnam's contributions to solving regional and global issues.

AELW aligns with the 35th anniversary of the forum, and President Cuong will present ‘strategic and breakthrough proposals’ to enhance APEC’s role in international economic cooperation and connectivity, addressing challenges faced by the global community and the Asia-Pacific region in particular.

Hang noted that the AELW is an opportunity for the State President to meet with APEC leaders, including many of Vietnam’s strategic and comprehensive strategic partners, and strengthen the relationships.

The event will feature the 31st APEC Summit and related meetings, as well as the APEC Business Summit, which will bring together over 1,000 leading businesses from across the region.

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