Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung (right) and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov sign a cooperation plan between the two countries’ foreign ministries for 2027-2029. Photos courtesy of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

HÀ NỘI — Việt Nam and Belarus have agreed to boost bilateral trade and diversify their trade structure, identifying economic cooperation as a key pillar and driver of broader ties between the two countries.

The agreement was reached on Wednesday during talks between Vietnamese Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung and Belarusian Foreign Minister Maxim Ryzhenkov, who is on an official visit to Việt Nam.

Trung reaffirmed Việt Nam’s commitment to its traditional friendship and strategic partnership with Belarus, welcoming positive developments in bilateral relations, particularly the establishment of the strategic partnership.

Ryzhenkov described Việt Nam as one of Belarus’s important partners in Southeast Asia and expressed his country’s desire to build on their longstanding friendship and make effective use of the strategic partnership framework.

He called for continued high-level and other exchanges through Party and State channels, effective implementation of existing cooperation mechanisms and expanded ties between the two parliaments, localities and businesses, as well as more people-to-people exchanges.

The two ministers hold talks during the Belarusian minister’s official visit to Việt Nam.

The two ministers also reviewed bilateral cooperation and coordination between their respective foreign ministries.

As for political and diplomatic ties, they agreed to maintain regular exchanges and contacts at all levels and carry out agreements and understandings reached by the two countries’ leaders. Both sides pledged to strengthen the coordinating role of their foreign ministries in advancing bilateral relations and work closely to prepare for and organise upcoming high-level visits and meetings.

Their immediate priorities include activities marking the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2027 and the 70th anniversary of President Hồ Chí Minh’s visit to Belarus in 1957.

The two ministers acknowledged that current economic and trade cooperation had yet to reach its full potential.

Trung called for more effective use of the free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union, alongside bilateral economic cooperation mechanisms. He also urged stronger direct business links, increased trade and investment promotion, and improved conditions for companies operating in each other’s markets.

Ryzhenkov proposed studying the establishment of trade and investment promotion centres in both countries to help businesses connect, explore market opportunities and expand their presence in each other’s markets.

The two sides also agreed to deepen cooperation in defence and security, education and training, tourism and culture.

Economic and trade cooperation is seen as a key pillar of broader bilateral ties.

They encouraged educational institutions to strengthen partnerships, facilitate student and academic exchanges, and expand research cooperation. Ryzhenkov reaffirmed Belarus’s readiness to continue welcoming Vietnamese students to study in fields in which Belarus has strengths, helping develop workers and strengthen ties between the two peoples.

The ministers also agreed to enhance cooperation in science, technology and innovation, with a view to developing joint research and applied programmes in areas that meet both countries’ development needs. They pledged to coordinate cultural activities to promote their respective countries, cultures and people.

Both ministers welcomed the launch of direct air routes connecting Minsk with Cam Ranh and Phú Quốc, which have contributed to the recent increase in Belarusian tourist arrivals in Việt Nam.

On regional and international issues of mutual concern, the ministers agreed to step up exchanges, consultations and coordination at multilateral forums, particularly the United Nations, and continue considering mutual support at international organisations and mechanisms.

Before the talks, the two ministers signed a Cooperation Plan between the Vietnamese and Belarusian foreign ministries for 2027-2029. The plan aims to strengthen coordination, help the ministries oversee implementation of high-level agreements by relevant agencies and ministries, and propose measures to advance the Việt Nam-Belarus strategic partnership across all areas. — VNS