At the invitation of President of the Republic of Korea Lee Jae Myung, General Secretary To Lam and his wife paid a state visit to the Republic of Korea from August 10-13.
VietNamNet respectfully introduces the joint statement on deepening the Vietnam - Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
During the visit, General Secretary To Lam held talks with President Lee Jae Myung and met with senior leaders of the Republic of Korea. In a friendly, sincere and open atmosphere, the two sides exchanged views and reached important common perceptions on comprehensively promoting and deepening the Vietnam-RoK Comprehensive Strategic Partnership as well as on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung highly appreciated the remarkable development of bilateral relations since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992 and especially after upgrading the relationship to “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” in 2022; affirming that the two countries are each other’s leading important partners in all fields. General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung agreed that the achievements made over the past 30 years are a solid foundation and long-term driving force for the two sides to consolidate and bring the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership into depth, substance, effectiveness, and move to a new stage.
In the context of the rapidly and complicatedly evolving world situation, in the spirit of looking to the future for the sustainable development of bilateral relations, General Secretary To Lam and President Lee Jae Myung agreed to continue to deepen cooperation in all fields to ensure the practical interests of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world, focusing on the following specific key areas of cooperation:
STRENGTHENING POLITICAL TRUST AND PROMOTING PRACTICAL COOPERATION IN THE FIELDS OF DIPLOMACY, NATIONAL DEFENSE AND SECURITY
1. The two sides agreed to further promote visits and exchanges between high-ranking leaders of the two countries through flexible and diverse forms such as bilateral visits, meetings at multilateral forums and conferences, online talks, telephone calls and letter exchanges. The two sides reached a common understanding on strengthening and deepening cooperation through the Party, Government, National Assembly, ministries, branches, localities and social classes of the two countries; improving the effectiveness of existing and expanded cooperation mechanisms, establishing necessary dialogue mechanisms, and promptly and conveniently handling issues that may arise in bilateral cooperation.
2. The two sides emphasized the need to promptly inform each other about the implementation of cooperation documents between the two countries' senior leaders, including the Action Program to implement the Vietnam - Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, thereby continuing to strengthen cooperation between the two sides. In addition, the two sides also agreed to maintain effective cooperation in the fields of diplomacy, security and defense through the Deputy Foreign Minister-level strategic dialogue on diplomacy, security and defense; continue to exchange opinions on bilateral cooperation issues, foreign policy, international and regional issues; actively support the representative agencies of the two countries in each country to operate smoothly.
3. The two sides emphasized the need to continue promoting substantive development in the defense and security sector; agreed to further promote ministerial-level contacts and talks, deputy-ministerial defense strategic dialogues, deputy-ministerial security dialogues, and Vietnam-Korea deputy-ministerial police conferences; and increase delegation exchanges and exchanges at all levels. The two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in maritime security, training and education; re-launch the Joint Committee on Defense Industry and Logistics, and strive to promote cooperation in the fields of technology, defense industry, and security industry through specific projects; and strengthen connectivity between defense enterprises of the two countries. The two sides also agreed to promote cooperation in mine clearance activities as well as United Nations peacekeeping operations. In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in sharing and analyzing information on strategic issues of mutual concern; and strengthen cooperation in responding to non-traditional security threats and transnational crimes. Along with that, the two sides will increase information exchange and cooperation in the consular and judicial fields, including cases where citizens of one country are arrested by the other; and actively disseminate and popularize the laws of the host country to citizens of the two countries to minimize law violations.
STRENGTHENING ECONOMIC, TRADE, INVESTMENT, SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COOPERATION AND DEVELOPMENT COOPERATION TO A NEW LEVEL IN CONFORMITY TO BILATERAL NEEDS AND INTERESTS
4. The two sides emphasized that Vietnam and the Republic of Korea have become each other's leading economic partners; agreed to cooperate closely to respond to emerging challenges in the regional and international economic situation. In particular, the two sides assessed that the Vietnam - Republic of Korea Free Trade Agreement (KVFTA) has contributed to building close economic cooperation between the two countries in all areas such as trade and investment, and agreed to continue developing this agreement on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the agreement coming into effect in 2025. In addition, the two sides agreed to facilitate the goods of each side to enter each other's markets smoothly through policy efforts, including the rapid implementation of the Mutual Recognition Agreement on Priority Enterprises in Import and Export Safety Management (AEO MRA), while making efforts to support Vietnamese enterprises to participate more deeply in the global supply chain of Korean enterprises. Thereby, the two sides agreed to complete the target of bilateral trade turnover reaching 150 billion USD by 2030 in a balanced and sustainable manner. In addition, the two sides agreed to promote long-term and strategic cooperation not only in the fields of trade, investment, industry, energy, technology but also in the field of supply chain through continuing to expand and develop mechanisms such as the Vietnam - Korea Deputy Prime Minister Economic Dialogue, the Vietnam - Korea Intergovernmental Committee, the Vietnam - Korea Joint Committee on Trade, Industry and Energy Cooperation, and the Joint Committee for the Implementation of the Vietnam - Korea Free Trade Agreement (VKFTA). In addition, the two sides agreed to coordinate to effectively implement regional and multilateral economic cooperation mechanisms such as the ASEAN - Korea Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA), the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF).
5. The two sides agreed to actively encourage Korean enterprises to make new investments and expand their investment scale in Vietnam, especially prioritizing the implementation of areas such as building specialized industrial parks based on high technology, digital industries such as AI, semiconductors, infrastructure development, renewable energy, smart cities, and global value chains. The Korean side emphasized that creating a favorable investment environment is essential to expand sustainable trade and investment, and highly appreciated the progress in resolving difficulties for Korean enterprises investing in Vietnam during General Secretary To Lam's state visit this time. In particular, the Korean side expressed its gratitude for the significant progress in the licensing process for two Korean policy banks in recent times and hoped that the remaining procedures would be completed smoothly. At the same time, the Korean side asked the Vietnamese side to support Korean enterprises to participate in Vietnam's infrastructure projects. The Vietnamese side affirmed that it will continue to make efforts to create an open, transparent and stable investment environment so that foreign enterprises, including Korean enterprises, can invest stably and long-term in Vietnam. In addition, the two sides also agreed to support Vietnamese enterprises to invest in Korea, effectively promote existing cooperation mechanisms, and jointly seek solutions such as building a digital cooperation system to promote trade and investment activities between the two countries. The Korean side expressed its wish that capable Korean enterprises could participate in Vietnam's strategic infrastructure projects such as nuclear power, renewable energy, power grids, and high-speed railways. The Vietnamese side acknowledged the Korean side's wishes and the two sides agreed to continue discussing this issue.
6. The two sides positively evaluated the achievements made through cooperation between the financial and monetary authorities of the two countries, and agreed to make efforts to build a common database system for the Vietnamese insurance industry to establish a sustainable and transparent insurance market. In addition, the two sides also shared the awareness of the need to build a related cooperation system to discuss and comprehensively implement knowledge sharing projects in the financial sector that have been implemented, such as the project to successfully operate the Vietnamese stock market system and cooperate to deploy bilateral retail payment connection via QR code between the two countries.
7. The two sides considered science, technology, innovation and digital transformation as key areas of cooperation in the bilateral relationship and agreed to strengthen cooperation in these areas. To achieve that goal, the two sides agreed to effectively operate cooperation mechanisms such as the Ministerial-level Joint Committee on Science and Technology and seek opportunities to expand cooperation and exchange policies. The two sides agreed to cooperate in implementing joint research, training and exchanging human resources in strategic technology areas of mutual interest such as artificial intelligence, semiconductors, biotechnology, materials and energy, and to enhance the capacity and role of the Vietnam-Korea Institute of Science and Technology (VKIST) - a stronghold of cooperation between the two countries in the field of science and technology. In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen the connection of the innovation ecosystem and the startup ecosystem between the two countries.
8. The two sides agreed to expand cooperation in the field of renewable energy (wind power, solar power, etc.) and improve energy efficiency, while enhancing information exchange in the fields of oil and gas exploration and exploitation. In addition, the two sides also agreed to expand comprehensive cooperation to enhance digital transformation of the energy industry and cyber security. The two sides agreed to share information and experience in the field of nuclear power development and encourage effective and substantive cooperation between enterprises of the two countries in this field. In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the fields of gas-fired electricity, fuel conversion in coal-fired thermal power plants, energy conversion, application of green hydrogen and ammonia co-firing in thermal power plants, expansion of the power grid and development of smart grid. The two sides agreed to study the possibility of cooperation between the Government and enterprises in the use of important minerals and promote investment to build a supply chain of important minerals. In addition, the two sides agreed to implement the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation in the exploitation of essential minerals in 2022 and the Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Korea-Vietnam Critical Mineral Supply Chain Center in 2023.
9. The two sides affirmed their determination to continue implementing bilateral cooperation in the field of development cooperation based on agreements such as the Framework Agreement on the Korean Economic Development Cooperation Fund (EDCF) and the Economic Cooperation Enhancement Fund (EDPF) Cooperation Agreement, each worth US$2 billion until 2030. The Vietnamese side highly appreciated the Republic of Korea's implementation of official development assistance (ODA) projects in areas of Vietnam's need, and requested that the Republic of Korea continue to support large-scale projects such as energy transition, environment, healthcare, green infrastructure and transport. In addition, the two sides agreed to continue close cooperation to quickly and smoothly implement development cooperation projects.
PROMOTING COOPERATION IN LABOR, HEALTH AND EDUCATION AS WORTHY OF A COMPREHENSIVE STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP FRAMEWORK
10. The two sides agreed to exchange policies and sign a Memorandum of Understanding in the field of human resource management in the public sector, thereby actively contributing to improving the public administration of the two countries and enhancing the interests and rights of the people. The two sides highly appreciated the extension of the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on sending and receiving workers to work in Korea under the Employment Permit System (EPS) and agreed to cooperate to effectively implement the agreed contents under the Agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the Republic of Korea on social insurance. The Vietnamese side pledged to simplify procedures and create favorable conditions for Korean citizens to easily obtain work permits in Vietnam, and proposed that the Korean side seek support solutions so that Vietnamese workers returning home after the end of their contracts can continue working at Korean enterprises operating in Vietnam. The Korean side said it intends to consider expanding the industry and scale of receiving Vietnamese workers in Korea.
11. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in the health sector on the basis of effectively implementing the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the Vietnamese Ministry of Health, the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare, and the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. In addition, the two sides agreed to promote cooperation in technology transfer and high technology in treatment, while strengthening cooperation in the field of research and application of biotechnology in the production of vaccines and medical biological products, gene technology, preventive medicine, application of information technology and artificial intelligence (AI), and telemedicine. The two sides agreed to increase the sharing of experience and information related to legal regulations and policies in the field of pharmaceutical, medical equipment, and cosmetics management, in particular, seeking cooperation to expand the trade of high-quality drugs, promoting bilateral cooperation between medical facilities, medical universities, and research institutes of the two countries.
12. The two sides agreed to further expand educational cooperation, consider cooperation in human resource training in the field of technology and welcome the strengthening of cooperation between Vietnamese higher education institutions and Korean universities and Korean enterprises. The Vietnamese side hopes that the Korean side will increase support for digital transformation and green transformation programs and projects, and the application of technology in teaching and learning. In particular, the Vietnamese side proposed that the Korean side increase the number of scholarships for Vietnamese students, especially in high-tech fields such as AI and STEM. The two sides agreed to continue exchanging related contents. The two sides agreed to share information with each other on the situation of international students and promote international student exchanges. In addition, the two sides agreed to promote exchanges between high schools and vocational training institutions, and the Korean side agreed to support Vietnam in compiling textbooks for Korean as a second foreign language and a first foreign language according to the new general education program.
STRENGTHENING COOPERATION FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT, RESPONSE TO CLIMATE CHANGE, AGRICULTURE AND INFRASTRUCTURE
13. The two sides agreed to fully implement bilateral cooperation through the organization of the second meeting of the Joint Working Group on the implementation of the Framework Agreement on Climate Change Cooperation, exchange policies and technologies on greenhouse gas emission reduction, climate change adaptation, and carbon credit exchange to achieve the goal of carbon neutrality by 2050. The two sides agreed to cooperate closely in the Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation and Enhancement of Carbon Stocks (REDD+) Project to enhance the role of forests in responding to climate change, and strengthen cooperation in the forestry sector by implementing projects on forest ecosystem conservation and dryland restoration in some regions of Vietnam through the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO). In addition, the two sides agreed to strengthen cooperation in the field of effective and sustainable use and management of water resources through the Mekong River Commission (MRC) and the Mekong-Korea Water Resources Center (KOMEC). In addition, the two sides agreed to actively implement cooperation in the environmental field such as joint research, experience sharing and high-tech cooperation, development of waste-to-energy plants, establishment of recycling industrial zones, collection of real-time hydrological data, early warning systems, water pollution treatment, biodiversity conservation, and response to natural disasters.
14. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of agriculture in the international economy and sustainable development, and agreed to enhance the capacity of agricultural workers and increase exchanges and connections with cooperating enterprises to conduct research and share experiences in the agricultural food sector. In addition, the two sides agreed to promote cooperation in high-tech agriculture and smart agriculture, reduce greenhouse gas and methane emissions through experience exchange and research. The two sides agreed to continue to support technology and cooperate in the entire process of production, processing, distribution and consumption of agricultural food, in which both countries have strengths.
15. The two sides agreed to continue to implement existing cooperation in areas of mutual interest such as transport infrastructure development, urban planning and development, housing, real estate, technical infrastructure, industrial parks, smart cities, construction safety management, research and application of science and technology, cooperation in research to develop a system of construction standards and regulations, and at the same time strengthen cooperation to effectively implement agreements, programs and projects. In addition, the two sides agreed to actively support cooperation between agencies and enterprises of the two countries related to transport infrastructure projects, urban areas and industrial parks on the basis of compliance with legal provisions and the needs of both sides. The Korean side agreed to continue sharing experiences in policy development and state management tools in areas where Korea has strengths, such as the development and management of transport infrastructure such as railways, intelligent transport systems (ITS), airports, smart seaports, urban construction and development including smart cities through short-term and long-term training courses, conferences, forums and regular meetings. In addition, the Korean side agreed to support human resource training for the transport and construction sectors, contributing to promoting the comprehensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Korea.
DEEPEN COOPERATION IN CULTURE, SPORTS, TOURISM, MEDIA AND PEOPLE-TO-PEOPLE EXCHANGE TO CREATE CONNECTION AND DEEPER UNDERSTANDING BETWEEN THE TWO COUNTRIES
16. The two sides agreed to cooperate to promote cultural, sports and tourism exchange, promotion and communication activities and to organize cultural events such as exhibitions, performances, cultural days and cultural weeks in each other's territories. In addition, the two sides agreed to promote exchanges between cultural and artistic groups and support the further expansion of tourism cooperation through strengthening the aviation network and simplifying travel procedures for citizens of the two countries. The Korean side agreed to actively cooperate in improving sports achievements in a number of sports in which Korea is strong, share with Vietnam experiences in developing the entertainment industry and support Vietnam in building and implementing a strategy for developing the cultural industry; support Vietnam in establishing a Vietnamese Cultural Center in Korea.
17. The two sides highly appreciated the positive contributions of the Korean community in Vietnam and the Vietnamese community in Korea to the development of bilateral relations, and agreed to create favorable conditions for multicultural families to integrate into the host country and cooperate to ensure stable residence and enhance the welfare of citizens of the two countries. The two sides also agreed to discuss specific measures related to holding regular consultations to share and cooperate on policies related to overseas Vietnamese.
In addition, the two sides welcomed the expansion of people-to-people exchanges and cooperation between localities of the two countries. The two sides assessed that the reform of Vietnam's local administrative apparatus this year is an opportunity to further expand cooperation between local governments of the two countries. At the same time, they agreed to coordinate and effectively implement the annual Meet Korea Program jointly organized by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Korean Embassy in Vietnam and Vietnamese localities to promote exchanges between businesses and people of the two countries. In addition, the two sides agreed to continue cooperation in the consular field through organizing the Vietnam - Korea Consular Consultation Meeting, actively promoting the role of friendship organizations and people's organizations of the two countries in organizing youth exchange activities and forums on areas of mutual interest.
CLOSE COOPERATION IN INTERNATIONAL AND REGIONAL FORUMS AND MECHANISMS
18. The two sides agreed to cooperate closely and increase mutual support at international and regional forums and organizations of mutual interest and importance, such as the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organization (WTO), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G), and the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Vietnam highly appreciated the Republic of Korea's support for Vietnam to successfully organize the Partnership for Green Growth and the Global Goals 2030 (P4G) Summit in 2025 and fulfill its role as Co-Chair of the OECD's Southeast Asia Program (SEARP) for the 2022-2025 term. The two sides also agreed to coordinate to successfully organize the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Korea in 2025 and in Vietnam in 2027.
19. The two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation within the frameworks of ASEAN and the Mekong sub-region cooperation such as ASEAN-Korea, Mekong-Korea, ASEAN+3, East Asia Summit (EAS), ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+). Vietnam affirmed its readiness to cooperate closely with the Republic of Korea to effectively and substantially implement the framework of the ASEAN-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides acknowledged the strategic importance of the Mekong sub-region in the evolving regional architecture and agreed to continue promoting Mekong-Korea cooperation as a key content in the Vietnam-Korea Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. The two sides agreed on the importance of resuming the Mekong-Korea Cooperation Summit at an appropriate time to realize the vision of building a people-centered community for peace and prosperity in the region.
20. The two sides affirmed their readiness to actively participate in the international community's joint efforts to address traditional and non-traditional security issues, as well as global challenges such as marine environmental protection, climate change response, energy security, food security and economic security. The two sides also agreed to continue to coordinate their stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern and interest.
21. The two sides agreed to strengthen close coordination and mutual support between the two countries' National Assemblies at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), while actively supporting exchanges and cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies, focusing on regional and international issues of mutual concern.
22. The two sides reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, respect for international law, freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, especially reaffirming the principle of peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982). The two sides also emphasized the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and promptly formulating an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, especially UNCLOS.
23. The two sides agreed that progress in inter-Korean relations and the establishment of lasting peace on the Korean Peninsula are essential to the peace and prosperity of not only the Korean Peninsula but also the international community. The two sides called on all relevant parties to strictly implement their international obligations and commitments, including the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council. Vietnam welcomes and supports the efforts of the Government of the Republic of Korea to resume inter-Korean dialogue and cooperation, and expressed its willingness to actively participate in the process of building an environment of peace, stability and prosperity on the Korean Peninsula.
The two sides agreed that the state visit to the Republic of Korea by General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam and his wife was a great success, marking an important milestone opening a new chapter in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. General Secretary To Lam expressed his deep gratitude for the warm and cordial reception of President Lee Jae Myung and the people of the Republic of Korea, and respectfully invited President Lee Jae Myung and his wife to soon pay a state visit to Vietnam. President Lee Jae Myung expressed his gratitude and happily accepted the invitation.
Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/tuyen-bo-chung-ve-lam-sau-sac-hon-quan-he-viet-nam-han-quoc-2430975.html
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