Vietnamese, Sri Lankan Presidents hold summit meeting in Ha Noi
VGP - President Luong Cuong had a summit meeting with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi on May 5.
The summit meeting between President Luong Cuong and his Sri Lankan counterpart Anura Kumara Dissanayaka at the Presidential Palace in Ha Noi, April 5, 2025 - Photo: VNA
President Dissanayaka is on a state visit to Viet Nam from May 4–6 at the invitation of President Luong Cuong.
President Luong warmly welcomed his Sri Lankan counterpart on his first State visit to Viet Nam, emphasizing the importance of the visit, which coincides with the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries.
Luong expressed gratitude to President Dissanayaka for attending and delivering the opening address at the upcoming UN Day of Vesak in Ho Chi Minh City, and for sending a congratulatory message to Vietnamese leaders on the 50th anniversary of national reunification.
The two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to strengthening traditional friendship and mutual understanding and agreed to promote high-level visits, enhance cooperation between the ruling parties, and increase exchanges among people's organizations and friendship associations of both countries.
They committed to improving the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Committee for Economic, Trade, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; promote the signing of new cooperation agreements to reflect current conditions, and explore the possibility of upgrading bilateral ties when appropriate.
Both sides agreed to deepen cooperation in defense, security and justice; and coordinate efforts to combat transnational and cybercrime. They also discussed the possibility of signing cooperation agreements in these sectors.
The leaders underscored the need for breakthrough measures to unlock the full potential of economic collaboration.
They agreed to promote the signing of economic, trade, and investment agreements; facilitate market access for key exports; and diversify supply chains with an aim to boost two-way trade to US$1 billion.
The two countries will also expand cooperation in agriculture, food security, science and technology, education, culture, religion, healthcare, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges. The leaders highlighted the importance of sharing experience in maritime economic development, enhancing maritime transport and connectivity, and encouraging airlines to open direct flights between the two countries.
President Dissanayaka pledged to create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in strategic sectors in Sri Lanka, including infrastructure, telecommunications, education, healthcare, high-tech agriculture, food processing, retail, logistics, and tourism. He also reaffirmed support for the Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka, including monks and nuns studying Buddhism.
Amidst global and regional challenges, the two leaders pledged to continue the tradition of coordination and mutual support at international and regional forums, including the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and South-South cooperation initiatives.
They reiterated the importance of maintaining peace, stability, security, and freedom of navigation, and underscored the need to respect and adhere to international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). President Luong welcomed Sri Lanka's efforts to strengthen ties with Southeast Asian nations and ASEAN.
Following the meeting, the two Presidents witnessed the signing of five cooperation agreements covering diplomacy, trade, customs, agriculture, and machinery manufacturing between the two countries./.
