Deputy Prime Minister of Belarus Anatoly Sivak sees off Party General Secretary To Lam and his wife at Minsk international airport. (Photo: Thong Nhat/ VNA)

General Secretary Lam visited four countries of the former Soviet Union, which have long-standing traditional friendships with Vietnam and supported each other in their national struggles for independence and development. This was the first time a top Vietnamese leader has visited all four nations.

Mr. Lam and his delegation held productive meetings with partners to boost cooperation and shape future relations.

Raising friendships to new heights

Kazakhstan was the first stop for Mr. Lam and his entourage. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev personally welcomed the delegation at the airport and hosted General Secretary Lam with the highest ceremonial honors.

President Tokayev awarded General Secretary Lam the First-Class Dostyk Order, Kazakhstan’s prestigious honor, in recognition of decades of close cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstan. A special event was held to welcome the General Secretary at the Kazakh Ethnic Culture Village, symbolizing the genuine affection Kazakhstan holds for Vietnam.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai (Photo: Thong Nhat/ VNA)

Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai said: “The visit marks a new era in Vietnam-Kazakhstan relations. During the visit, the two countries issued a joint statement on establishing a strategic partnership, which will play a vital role in strengthening their traditional friendship and defining a new cooperation framework between Vietnam and Kazakhstan, opening up practical and effective cooperation prospects.”

Azerbaijan and Belarus also offered General Secretary To Lam the highest level of ceremonial welcome. Bilateral talks, meetings, and exchanges recorded substantive results, and multiple cooperation agreements were signed. The Vietnam-Azerbaijan joint statement and the Vietnam-Belarus joint statement establishing a Strategic Partnership reflect a high degree of political trust and a strong determination to continue cooperation.

In Azerbaijan, General Secretary Lam attended the inauguration of a Ho Chi Minh Memorial Room, a tribute to Vietnam-Azerbaijan petroleum cooperation, a symbol of long-lasting friendship between the two nations.

In Russia, General Secretary Lam held talks with President Vladimir Putin and met with the Russian Prime Minister and Speaker of the State Duma, reaching consensus on numerous cooperation issues. A joint statement was adopted outlining orientations for the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in the new cooperation phase.

Mr. Lam met with Russian intellectuals, experts, and scientists who have supported Vietnam and thanked them for their friendship and support.

Party General Secretary To Lam and his spouse lay flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. (Photo: RIA Novosti)

Mr. Lam and 20 other world leaders attended a military parade at Red Square in Moscow commemorating the 80th anniversary of Victory in the Great Patriotic War. Then he joined President Putin and other world leaders in laying flowers at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the Kremlin Wall.

Mr. Lam’s attendance at these events paid tribute to the Soviet Union’s immense sacrifices in the fight against fascism which ushered in a new era of revolutionary liberation movements in Vietnam and around the globe.

Vice Chairman of the Saint Petersburg Foreign Relations Committee, Vicheslav Gennadevich Kalganov, said: “General Secretary To Lam’s visit marks a new era for Vietnam-Russia relations as we commemorate the Soviet people’s victory over fascism. We are honored to have soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Army marching across Red Square. It shows Vietnam’s respect for Russia’s past and support for its current efforts. Vietnam has once again affirmed its sovereignty and reverence for history.”

Party General Secretary To Lam’s visits to four countries will provide a foundation, momentum, and inspiration for Vietnam and its partners to continue their friendship and contribution to each other’s development.