What To Lam’s Russia and France visits are intended to achieve

To Lam’s trip to Russia and France from Sept. 7 to 12 is being presented by Vietnam as a significant diplomatic mission on both the bilateral and multilateral fronts.

The Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President will make a state visit to Russia at the invitation of President Vladimir Putin. He will then make an official visit to France and attend a space summit in Paris at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Thị Thu Hằng said the Russia visit carries “special historical significance” because it will be the first state visit to Russia by Vietnam’s top Party and state leader since 1991. She said the trip would reaffirm Vietnam’s consistent commitment to its traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia, as well as its independent and self-reliant foreign policy.

The two sides are expected to discuss strategic issues, establish a long-term vision and create new political momentum for the relationship. The visit is also expected to strengthen political trust and regular contact between the countries’ top leaders.

Vietnam hopes for a breakthrough in established areas of cooperation, especially oil and gas and energy, including nuclear power. It also wants economic, trade, investment and infrastructure cooperation to become new drivers. The agenda includes air, maritime and rail links, reciprocal investment projects, science and technology, innovation and high-quality workforce training. The two countries are also expected to expand Vietnamese and Russian language teaching, and exchanges involving students, lecturers and artists.

In France, To Lam will make his second official visit and attend the world’s first summit-level international event focused on outer space, according to the article. The trip is intended to reaffirm Vietnam’s emphasis on its comprehensive strategic partnership with France and help position the two countries as strategic gateways to the EU and ASEAN.

“

Special historical significance