Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (left) and Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasimalyev reviewed the guards of honour at the welcome ceremony for the latter in Hà Nội on March 6. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on Thursday hosted a red-carpet welcome ceremony for his Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasimalyev who is paying a two-day official visit to Việt Nam.

This is the first visit to Việt Nam by a Kyrgyz prime minister since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. The trip is expected to develop the Việt Nam – Kyrgyzstan friendship and cooperation in a more substantive and effective manner across all sectors.

Following the ceremony, the two PMs started their talks. Before the meeting, they toured a photo exhibition showcasing the landscapes, people, and positive relations between Việt Nam and Kyrgyzstan, which was jointly organised by the Government Office and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Over the past years, Việt Nam and Kyrgyzstan have maintained robust friendship relations through bilateral delegation exchanges and close coordination in international organisations and multilateral forums.

Vietnamese Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính (right) welcomed Kyrgyz counterpart Adylbek Kasimalyev. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

Despite these positive political ties, economic cooperation remains modest. Two-way trade reached only US$7.5 million in 2023 and expanded to $13.5 million last year. As of October 2024, Kyrgyzstan had only one investment project in Việt Nam with registered capital of $5 million, indicating substantial untapped potential for enhanced partnership.

PM Kasimalyev's visit represents a significant milestone, marking a new development phase in the bilateral relations while providing a catalyst to deepen the traditional friendship and mutually beneficial cooperation in areas where both countries possess potential and strengths.

During his stay, besides talks with PM Minister Chính, the Kyrgyz PM will meet with other high-ranking Vietnamese Party and State leaders. Both sides will discuss ways to enhance relations across political-diplomatic and economic-trade-investment spheres, while exploring cooperation in promising fields such as transport, agriculture, culture, education, tourism, local partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges, towards elevating bilateral relations at an appropriate time to match the new situation. — VNA/VNS

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính and Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic Adylbek Aleshovich Kasymaliev listen to the national anthems of the two countries. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang