Vietnam wishes to bring its cooperative relations with Burundi into a new phase.

During the meeting with Burundi President Évariste Ndayishimiye, General Secretary To Lam emphasized that Vietnam wishes to strengthen and bring the cooperative relationship between the two countries into a new phase.

General Secretary To Lam receives President of the Republic of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye. (Photo: Thong Nhat/VNA)

On the afternoon of April 4th, at the Party Central Headquarters, General Secretary To Lam received President of the Republic of Burundi Évariste Ndayishimiye, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from April 3rd to 6th.

During the meeting, General Secretary To Lam welcomed and highly appreciated President Évariste Ndayishimiye's official visit to Vietnam, which takes place in the context of the two countries preparing to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (April 16, 1975 - April 16, 2025). This visit contributes to promoting friendly relations between the two ruling parties, the Communist Party of Vietnam and the National Council for the Defense of Democracy - Democratic Defense Force (CNDD-FDD), as well as the good friendship and cooperation between the two countries in the future.

General Secretary To Lam highly appreciated the important achievements that the country and people of Burundi have made under the leadership of President Évariste Ndayishimiye and the CNDD-FDD Party, especially in maintaining political stability, developing socio-economic conditions, and improving the quality of life for the people; he expressed confidence that the CNDD-FDD Party will lead the people of Burundi to successfully implement the National Development Plan for the period 2018-2027, with visions to 2040 and 2060, thereby further enhancing the country's prestige and position and contributing more to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.

General Secretary To Lam emphasized that Vietnam and Burundi share many similarities and common goals. Both countries have overcome difficult periods caused by war, gained independence, peace, and stability, and are now focusing on economic development and nation-building.

Vietnam has always valued its friendly relations and cooperation with African countries, including Burundi, and wishes to strengthen and bring the cooperative relationship between the two countries into a new phase, especially in the fields of investment, agriculture, mining, technology, digital transformation, leadership and management training, etc.

The General Secretary requested that Burundi continue to create favorable conditions and provide incentives for Viettel Group's telecommunications joint venture to operate effectively and contribute to the socio-economic development of both countries.

The General Secretary emphasized that Vietnam has strengths in agriculture, mining, and telecommunications, and is ready to cooperate with and support Burundi in these areas, while also expanding the scope and areas of cooperation in the future.

During his first visit to Vietnam, the President of Burundi thanked the Vietnamese Party and State leaders and people for their warm and cordial welcome; expressed admiration for Vietnam's remarkable development achievements under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, considering them an inspiration for Burundi in its reconstruction and development; and hoped that Vietnam would share its experience in rapid and sustainable socio-economic development to help Burundi catch up with other countries in the region.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye expressed his pleasure that relations between the two ruling parties have recently become closer; he emphasized the desire of the Party, State and Government of Burundi to develop cooperation in many fields with Vietnam, especially in investment, science and technology, agriculture, education and training...

The President expressed his readiness to create all favorable conditions for Viettel's telecommunications joint venture to operate effectively, not only as a highlight in investment cooperation between the two countries but also as a bridge connecting them.

President Évariste Ndayishimiye and General Secretary Tô Lâm agreed to continue strengthening exchanges of delegations at all levels and through all channels to consolidate political trust and create new momentum for cooperation; the two ruling parties will enhance exchanges, contacts, and mutual understanding, further strengthening bilateral relations, and encourage women's and youth organizations of both parties to increase exchanges to promote friendship and mutual understanding between the people of the two countries, especially the younger generation.

At the same time, both sides welcomed the signing of several documents during the visit; and requested relevant agencies of the two countries to actively negotiate to soon sign more documents to complete the legal framework and facilitate the promotion of bilateral cooperation.

Regarding multilateral cooperation, the two leaders expressed satisfaction with the coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums in the past; affirming that the two countries will continue to coordinate closely and support each other, especially at the United Nations, the International Organization of Francophonie (OIF), and promote relations with important organizations of which both sides are members such as ASEAN and the African Union (AU); and reaffirming their support for the position of resolving disputes through peaceful means, based on respect for international law, in order to maintain stability and security in each region.

General Secretary To Lam requested Burundi's support for ASEAN's stance on resolving maritime disputes peacefully, based on respect for international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982), and ASEAN's efforts to build the South China Sea as a sea of peace, stability, cooperation, and sustainable development.

On this occasion, President Évariste Ndayishimiye respectfully invited the General Secretary to pay an official visit to Burundi in the near future.

General Secretary To Lam expressed his gratitude and suggested that the foreign ministries of the two countries exchange views and agree on a suitable time for the visit.

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