Vietnam, Kazakhstan upgrade bilateral ties to strategic partnership

General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam’s ongoing state visit to Kazakhstan marks a historic milestone in the bilateral relations as the Vietnamese leader and Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev agreed to upgrade the ties to a Strategic Partnership during their talks in Astana on May 6.

At the talks, Lam underscored that Vietnam consistently prioritises relations with its traditional friends, including Kazakhstan, and expressed his gratitude for Kazakhstan's assistance during Vietnam's past struggle for national liberation and its current process of national construction and development.

He praised Kazakhstan's achievements in maintaining political stability and socio-economic development, particularly noting the country's guiding principles of building “Fair Kazakhstan: law and order, economic growth, public optimism” and its governance formula of “a strong President – an influential Parliament – an accountable Government.” The Party leader believed that Kazakhstan will continue to successfully implement its development goals and become an influential nation in the Asia-Pacific region. He also shared insights about Vietnam's progress after 40 years of Doi moi (renewal), with the entire country now striving to enter what he described as a new era – that of the nation’s rise.

Tokayev highlighted the significance of the first-ever visit by a General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam to Kazakhstan since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1992. He stressed that that Kazakhstan treasures the traditional friendship between the two nations and considers Vietnam an important partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

Both leaders expressed their satisfaction with the continuous development of the traditional friendship over the recent past, affirming that the new partnership framework will strengthen five key connections between the two countries - people-to-people connection, economic connection, policy connection, transport connection, and inter-regional connection.

The President proudly noted that Kazakhstan is Vietnam's first strategic partner in Central Asia, describing this as a historic event that creates a stronger foundation for developing the bilateral relations across all domains.

The two leaders exchanged their notes on orientations to foster the bilateral ties and agreed on specific measures to develop cooperative ties in a deeper and more substantive and effective manner, while discussing regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They reached consensus on deepening the political trust between the two countries through promoting delegation exchanges at all levels across all channels which helps strengthen the solid political and social foundation for expanding cooperation across all areas. They also concurred to enhance defence and security cooperation, particularly in defence industry and military technology. The two leaders lauded recent progress in bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation, expressing confidence that the newly established strategic partnership will help double bilateral trade in the near future.

They agreed to enhance the effectiveness of the Vietnam–Kazakhstan Intergovernmental Commission for trade, economic, scientific and technical cooperation, to effectively implement the joint action plan on economic and trade collaboration for 2023–2025, and to formulate a roadmap through to 2030, with a shared goal of boosting bilateral trade to 5 billion USD by the end of the decade.

President Tokayev affirmed Kazakhstan’s readiness to create the most favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to operate in his country. He also called for practical mechanisms from both sides, the opening of direct flight routes, and more relaxed visa policies, to support stronger business ties.

Kazakhstan aims to increase imports of key Vietnamese products such as garments and footwear, he stressed.

The two leaders also recognised the vast potential for cooperation across a range of sectors including energy-mining, transport-logistics, finance, tourism, education-training, human resources development, and science-technology. They shared the view that these fields would become highlights in bilateral ties as well as focuses for both countries’ economic development.

Party General Secretary Lam suggested Kazakhstan support the establishment of a Vietnamese trade office there, as well as of a Vietnam-Kazakhstan Business Council, to facilitate trade promotion and enterprise connectivity.

He underscored the two nations’ cooperation potential and complementary strengths as well as the importance of strengthening their people-to-people exchange and tourism engagements. He also thanked the Kazakh President and authorities for their support for the Vietnamese community living, working and studying in Kazakhstan.

The leaders applauded regular mutual support and coordination at multilateral forums, particularly at the UN and the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA). Vietnam expressed its willingness to act as a bridge for Kazakhstan’s increasing collaboration with Southeast Asian nations, while Kazakhstan offered to facilitate Vietnam’s outreach to Central Asia.

On regional and international matters, both sides highlighted the importance of peaceful resolution of differences based on international law and the UN Charter. They affirmed their support for ASEAN’s stance on the East Sea issue in line with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On this occasion, the Party chief extended an invitation to President Tokayev to visit Vietnam at a mutually convenient time, with the latter graciously accepting.

Following the talks, President Tokayev awarded the Vietnamese leader Kazakhstan’s Order of Dostyk (Friendship) of the First Class. The two leaders also witnessed the signing of several cooperation documents in fields such as justice, science and technology, energy, aviation, culture, sports, and media.

A joint statement on the establishment of the Vietnam–Kazakhstan strategic partnership was also adopted.