Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang answers questions from the press. Photo courtesy of VNA.
Could the Deputy Minister please explain the significance of the State visits to the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Azerbaijan, the celebration of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, the official visit to the Russian Federation, and the State visit to the Republic of Belarus by General Secretary To Lam and his wife from May 5-12, 2025?
At the invitation of the Presidents of Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, and Belarus, from May 5-12, 2025, General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with a high-level Vietnamese delegation, will pay a State visit to the Republic of Kazakhstan, a State visit to the Republic of Azerbaijan, attend the Victory Day commemoration in the Great Patriotic War, and pay an official visit to the Russian Federation and a State visit to the Republic of Belarus.
General Secretary To Lam's visit is of particular importance, taking place in the context of our country having just solemnly celebrated the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and the reunification of the country, and Vietnam entering a new era of development, prosperity, and national progress.
General Secretary To Lam's visit to four countries continues to be an important highlight in the practical implementation of the independent, self-reliant, multilateral, diversified, proactive, and comprehensive international integration foreign policy of the 13th Party Congress.
This visit also includes a trip to Russia and friendly countries of the former Soviet Union, especially the Central Asian and Caucasus countries that have traditionally good relations with Vietnam, and which have supported and assisted us in our struggle to defend the Fatherland in the past and in building and protecting the country today; it is an opportunity for us to reaffirm our sincere and loyal feelings and our desire to promote long-term, effective, substantive, and mutually beneficial cooperation. Specifically:
For Russia, this is the first official visit to the Russian Federation since Comrade To Lam was elected General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The visit takes place in a very significant context as the two countries are celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. At the same time, each country is also commemorating important historical milestones: Russia is celebrating the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War, and Vietnam is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification, the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day on September 2nd. The visit aims to strengthen political trust, determine new directions to elevate the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia to a new level, and consolidate cooperation between the Communist Party of Vietnam and major political parties in Russia. Furthermore, General Secretary To Lam's official visit to the Russian Federation and participation in the Victory Day commemoration of the Great Patriotic War demonstrates Vietnam's respect and honor for the immense contributions and sacrifices of the former Soviet Union, and the Russian Federation today, in the great victory against fascism and the steadfast protection of world peace.
For Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus, this is General Secretary To Lam's first state visit to these countries and is of great significance. The visit not only strengthens political trust between Vietnam and these traditional friendly nations, but also conveys Vietnam's message and determination to continuously consolidate friendly and traditional relations with former Soviet republics. The General Secretary's visit will also contribute to promoting cooperation through the Party channel between the Communist Party of Vietnam and major political parties in the three aforementioned countries.
Furthermore, this working visit by General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation, also contributes to promoting people-to-people exchanges, affirming the unwavering affection of our people towards the people of Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus, traditional friendly countries, and elevating relations and promoting comprehensive cooperation in all fields in the new situation.
Could the Deputy Minister please share the expectations for this visit by General Secretary To Lam and his wife, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation?
This trip by the General Secretary and his wife, along with the high-level Vietnamese delegation, aims to further promote and deepen the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, and the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Belarus, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.
It is important to emphasize that these are partner countries with extremely good traditional friendly relations with Vietnam, friends who have stood shoulder to shoulder with Vietnam in the struggle to defend the Fatherland in the past as well as in building and developing the country in the present period. The visit will be the clearest evidence affirming the sincere and loyal feelings of the Party, Government, and people of Vietnam towards these traditional friendly countries, aiming for "four more" in bilateral relations: "more sustainable, more effective, more substantive, and more mutually beneficial," commensurate with the potential for cooperation and political trust, as well as the aspirations of the people of Vietnam and these countries.
In the coming days, General Secretary To Lam will have important meetings with high-ranking leaders of various countries to shape future relations and create new impetus for cooperation in many fields, especially new and promising areas such as economics, trade, investment, basic science, energy, high technology, and AI.
With a foundation of friendly relations that have been tested over time and nurtured by generations of leaders and people of Vietnam, the Russian Federation, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, and Belarus, I am confident that General Secretary To Lam's visit will be a great success, leaving memorable impressions on friends in Russia, Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Belarus, and the international community. It will further spread and enhance the image of a loyal and compassionate Vietnam towards its traditional friends, and a responsible nation towards the international community. It will create important impetus to lead the country into a new era, realize its development goals, and thereby make a positive contribution to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of Victory Day in the Great Patriotic War. Could the Deputy Minister please explain the significance of the Soviet victory for Vietnam's August Revolution and the revolutionary and national liberation movements worldwide?
The Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War of 1945 held immense historical significance not only for the Soviet people but also for the revolutionary and national liberation movements worldwide, including Vietnam. As we commemorate the 80th anniversary of Victory Day, we deeply appreciate the historical values, the indomitable fighting spirit, and the aspiration for peace that this victory brought.
The great victory of the Soviet people shattered fascism, severely weakened the colonial system of European empires; strongly encouraged the struggle for national independence, democracy, and social progress worldwide, creating the foundation for today's global multilateralism, and bringing about a significant shift in the world political landscape, most notably the birth of the United Nations with its principles of international relations such as respect for equality, the right to self-determination among nations, and the peaceful resolution of disputes..., making a crucial contribution to shaping a new post-war world order.
For Vietnam, the Soviet Union's victory in the Great Patriotic War was a tremendous source of encouragement and motivation, and also a crucial prerequisite for the Vietnamese people, under the leadership of the Party and President Ho Chi Minh, to rise up and successfully seize power. The August Revolution of 1945 broke out in a context of "ripe opportunity," with the collapse of the fascist system, especially Japan's surrender to the Soviet Union and the Allies, and the end of the war in Europe. And on September 2, 1945, in the historic Ba Dinh Square, before the people of the world, President Ho Chi Minh read the Declaration of Independence, giving birth to the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, opening an era of freedom, national independence, and socialism in Vietnam. The victory of the Vietnamese nation also contributed significantly to the world's struggle against fascism for peace, democracy, and social progress. Furthermore, in the struggle against fascism, there were Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who directly participated in the fighting to defend Moscow in 1941. Many Vietnamese soldiers bravely sacrificed their lives, leaving their blood and bones on the heroic Soviet land.
The victory of the Soviet Red Army and progressive peace-loving forces around the world has created a shining monument of heroism for humanity, which will forever be honored, for it is the solid foundation that has built the prosperous and sustainable world we see today.
Thank you very much, Deputy Minister!
VNA/News and Ethnic Groups Newspaper
Source: https://baotintuc.vn/thoi-su/nang-tam-quan-he-va-thuc-day-hop-tac-toan-dien-giua-viet-nam-voi-nga-kazakhstan-azerbaijan-belarus-20250504140349675.htm
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