HÀ NỘI — General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việt Nam Central Committee and President Nguyễn Phú Trọng welcomed Chairman of the Workers’ Party and the State Affairs Commission of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) Kim Jong Un to Việt Nam during their talks in Hà Nội on Friday.

The talks took place following a welcome ceremony at the Presidential Palace – the highest formality for a head of state.

The host hailed the visit as a new and important milestone in the history of the two parties and countries, saying it afforded the leaders a chance to discuss each country’s situation, the development of bilateral ties and regional and global issues of shared concern.

Congratulating the DPRK people on their great achievements in national development, he said he believed that under the leadership of the Party, they would reap even greater achievements in building socialism and improving livelihoods.

Việt Nam consistently follows the external policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation and development – and the multilateralisation and diversification of external ties – while taking on its role as a trustworthy partner and a responsible member of the international community, according to the leader.

"The Vietnamese Party, State and people treasure the traditional friendship with the DPRK and want to further build ties between the two parties and countries for the benefit of the two peoples and to contribute to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world," he said.

Chairman Kim said he hoped to share experiences in national construction and socio-economic development with Việt Nam.

He thanked the host, the Vietnamese Party and the country’s people for their warm welcome and active support of the DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit.

The guest highlighted the DPRK Party’s and State’s consistent stance of valuing the traditional friendship with Việt Nam, which was founded and nurtured by Presidents Hồ Chí Minh and Kim Il-sung, as well as veteran leaders of the two parties and countries.

Both sides agreed to facilitate high-level visits and contacts as well as to expand the exchange of delegations at all levels via the Party, State and mass organisation channels to increase mutual understanding.

The sides said they would maintain regular dialogue and co-operation mechanisms, including deputy ministerial-level political consultations and the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Scientific-Technological Co-operation. The also said they would explore the possibility of mutually beneficial collaboration; expand cultural, arts, sports and people-to-people exchanges; and hold activities to celebrate the 70th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2020.

On regional and global issues, they pledged to work closely together at the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the ASEAN Regional Forum, and to intensify the exchange of ideas on issues regarding maintaining peace and stability in the region.

The host lauded the efforts of the DPRK and the US at their recently concluded second summit and said he hoped they would continue dialogue to improve bilateral ties and contribute to peace, stability and development in the region.

Kim invited the Vietnamese leader to visit the DRPK at a time of his convenience. The latter thanked the guest and asked both sides’ agencies to discuss the possibility of a visit via diplomatic channels.

In the evening, Trọng hosted a banquet to welcome Chairman Kim and the DPRK delegation.

Meeting with PM and NA Chairwoman

Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc and DPRK Chairman Kim Jong-un visit the “Việt Nam-DPRK relations” photo exhibition held by the Vietnam News Agency. — VNA/VNS Photo Thống Nhất

Hosting Chairman Kim, Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc said the Government and people of Việt Nam were willing to work with their DPRK counterparts to promote co-operation for benefit of their peoples in line with international regulations and the commitments of each country.

The Government leader highlighted the significance and importance of the DPRK delegation’s visit to Việt Nam to reinforcing and enhancing the traditional friendship between the two countries.

Việt Nam is also ready to co-ordinate with the DPRK in organising activities to celebrate the 70th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2020.

PM Phúc said that "as a close friend of the DPRK, Việt Nam supports a peaceful, stable, co-operative and developed Korean Peninsula".

Having welcomed the efforts of both the DPRK and the US at the summit in Hà Nội, he expressed his hope that the relevant parties would continue to promote dialogues and peacefully settle issues.

PM Phúc promised Việt Nam had and would continue to support and make positive contributions to that process.

Chairman Kim said he expected the two sides to expand exchanges and co-operation in different fields based on their needs and potential.

Before the meeting, PM Phúc and Chairman Kim visited the “Việt Nam-DPRK relations” photo exhibition held by the Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Tens of colour and black-and-white photos captured by VNA journalists in different periods are on display featuring high-level visits, major events and activities. They show key moments in the Việt Nam-DPRK relationship, serving as vivid evidence of the fine traditional friendship between the two nations over the past seven decades.

Meeting with Chairman Kim on the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân wished the East Asian country success with its 14th Supreme People’s Assembly.

She said the Vietnamese legislature stood ready to promote exchange and co-operation with its DPRK counterpart in the future.

Regarding the second meeting between US President Donald Trump and DPRK Chairman Kim, Chairwoman Ngân praised the efforts made by the two leaders. She said she hoped they would continue dialogues to handle issues related to the Korean Peninsula and improve US-DPRK relations, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability, co-operation and development on the Korean Peninsula, as well as in the region and the world. — VNS