General Secretary and President To Lam met with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth on 29/5. The General Secretary and President affirmed Vietnam's early participation in the Peace Council on the Gaza Strip, demonstrating the nation's goodwill and responsibility in promoting dialogue, cooperation, and reconciliation. This also shows Vietnam's readiness to contribute more actively to common efforts for peace, stability, and development, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. *Photo: US Department of Defense*

Secretary Hegseth commended Vietnam's consistent, goodwill, and responsible approach. He noted that Vietnam is increasingly seen as a reliable partner capable of making substantive contributions to international initiatives for peace and stability.

General Secretary and President To Lam appreciated the US commitment to supporting a "strong, independent, self-reliant, and prosperous" Vietnam. He stated that this forms an important basis for the two countries to expand cooperation, respecting each other's independence, sovereignty, political institutions, and legitimate interests.

The General Secretary and President emphasized that Vietnam considers the US a top strategic partner. Vietnam aims to work with the US to effectively implement the major orientations of their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, fostering more stable, substantive, and effective bilateral relations.

Secretary Hegseth affirmed the US values maintaining the positive momentum of the Vietnam - US Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He praised Vietnam's goodwill, responsibility, and constructive approach in promoting bilateral relations.

Both sides agreed that economic, trade, and investment cooperation remains a key driving force in their relationship. They committed to enhancing exchanges, coordination, and expanding cooperation in areas of mutual interest, including: economics, trade, investment, science and technology, innovation, defense, and security.

The General Secretary and President requested that the US consider Vietnam's legitimate development needs, facilitating greater access to advanced US technologies and high-tech products.

Both sides agreed to continue ongoing cooperation programs to address war legacies. They view this as an important factor in strengthening trust, healing the past, and building a foundation for stable, long-term Vietnam - US relations.

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles on 29/5. *Photo: VNA*

During his meeting with Australian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense Richard Marles, General Secretary and President To Lam praised Australia's effective defense support to Vietnam. This includes English language training for officers, military medicine training, support for United Nations peacekeeping forces, and the transportation of Vietnamese field hospitals to South Sudan.

Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Marles welcomed Vietnam's participation in the recent Multilateral Naval Exercise Kakadu in Australia. He also noted the effective implementation of the Peacekeeping Partnership Agreement and defense training activities. Marles shared Australia's newly announced Defense Strategy 2026, highlighting its focus on strengthening defense cooperation with regional countries, including Vietnam.

Marles affirmed Australia considers Vietnam one of its most reliable partners in the region. He commended Vietnam's proactive, balanced, and responsible approach to regional issues, expressing a desire to further deepen relations based on trust, substance, and mutual benefit.

Both nations agreed to pursue breakthrough measures to achieve a bilateral trade turnover of 20 billion USD and double two-way investment in the near future. They also committed to advancing cooperation pillars in development, education and training, science and technology, innovation, and digital transformation, while swiftly implementing new cooperation mechanisms in energy and minerals.

The General Secretary and President requested Australia continue to facilitate Vietnamese citizens, especially students. He also sought support for the Vietnamese community in Australia to develop stably, contributing positively to the host country and bilateral relations. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister Marles praised the Vietnamese community's role in Australia, viewing it as an important bridge that enhances understanding, cohesion, and friendship between the two peoples.

General Secretary and President To Lam meets with Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro on 29/5. *Photo: VNA*

Meeting with Japanese Defense Minister Koizumi Shinjiro, General Secretary and President To Lam highlighted the significance of Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi Sanae's official visit to Vietnam early last May. He described it as an important milestone that created new momentum and opened numerous cooperation opportunities between the two countries.

Minister Koizumi Shinjiro affirmed Japan values its relationship with Vietnam. He commended Vietnam's growing role and position in the region, expressing a desire to further strengthen cooperation in various fields, including defense and security.

Regarding future cooperation, the General Secretary and President proposed that both sides continue regular high-level contacts and exchanges. They aim to effectively utilize existing dialogue and consultation mechanisms, enhance defense and security cooperation, improve law enforcement capacity, and expand collaboration in United Nations peacekeeping, military medicine, search and rescue, cybersecurity, and human resource training.

The General Secretary and President also suggested that both sides coordinate closely and share stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern, contributing to maintaining peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

Minister Koizumi Shinjiro affirmed that Japan will continue to coordinate closely with Vietnam to effectively implement agreements and common understandings reached between the two countries' high-level leaders. He expressed support for strengthening substantive cooperation that serves the interests and concerns of each country.

At this year's Shangri-La Dialogue, General Secretary and President To Lam was invited to deliver a keynote speech. Participating countries shared that this invitation affirms the international community's appreciation for Vietnam's role, voice, and contributions to regional strategic issues. It also reflects interest in Vietnam's perspectives and approaches to promoting dialogue, building trust, enhancing cooperation, and addressing common challenges.

Vu Hoang