President Võ Văn Thưởng during the swearing-in ceremony on March 2, 2023. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — Leaders of Russia, India, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Japan, Italy, Mongolia, and the UAE have sent congratulations to Võ Văn Thưởng on his election as President of Việt Nam by the 15th National Assembly.

In his congratulatory message, Russian President Vladimir Putin stressed the two countries’ relations are based on traditional friendship and mutual respect.

He expressed his belief that as the President of Việt Nam, Thưởng would help further solidify the countries’ comprehensive strategic partnership, thus meeting the fundamental interests of the two nations and contributing to regional security and stability.

Extending her congratulations, Indian President Droupadi Murmu said the solidarity and close-knit friendship between her country and Việt Nam had been nurtured since the time of late President Hồ Chí Minh, and bilateral relations had continued to be reinforced and developed into a comprehensive strategic partnership.

She wished to work with President Thưởng to further promote bilateral ties on the basis of the Joint Vision Statement on Peace, Prosperity, and People adopted in 2020.

Meanwhile, Chairman of the DPRK’s State Affairs Commission Kim Jong-un emphasised that Thưởng’s election as President of Việt Nam reflects the Communist Party of Việt Nam and the entire Vietnamese people’s high trust in the newly elected leader.

The traditional friendship between the two Parties and States would keep growing more strongly, he affirmed, wishing Thưởng many significant achievements in the new position.

Offering congratulations, Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio said the two countries would mark the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship in 2023, and that over the last 50 years, they had jointly surmounted numerous difficulties and challenges and built close cooperation in all fields, from politics, economy, diplomacy, security to culture and people-to-people exchange.

He voiced his belief that serving as President of Việt Nam, Thưởng, a close and important friend of Japan, would help further intensify bilateral relations. Kishida also noted he hoped to work with the newly elected leader to elevate their countries’ ties to a new level.

Italian President Sergio Mattarella hailed the bilateral friendship and cooperation amid the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties, adding that he believed Italy and Việt Nam would seize opportunities to further strengthen their strategic partnership and cooperation in the future.

On this occasion, President Thưởng also received congratulations from President of Mongolia Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh, President of the UAE Mohammed Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum. — VNS