Vietnam Eyes Stronger Partnership with Canada Amid Global Changes
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and President To Lam recently delivered a policy speech at the Parliament of Canada in Ottawa, emphasizing the country's readiness to work with Canada to build a substantive Strategic Partnership. This decision comes as a result of over five decades of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.
The world is undergoing profound changes, requiring countries to strengthen their capacity to adapt while safeguarding development achievements, according to President Lam. Vietnam has responded by prioritizing independence, self-reliance, self-strengthening, cooperation, and common development, with a commitment to defending righteousness, justice, and what is right based on international law and the United Nations Charter.
The country aims to become a strong maritime nation, developing its economy from the sea while protecting marine ecosystems and coastal livelihoods. Vietnam's new development path will create opportunities for cooperation with Canada, combining Canadian knowledge, technology, and resources with Vietnam's market, workforce, and development efforts to co-create quality products, services, and jobs.
President Lam called for regular exchanges and contacts, particularly at the high level, as well as early and frank consultations on developments affecting each side's interests. He urged the two countries to translate their Strategic Partnership into an action plan with clear priorities, agencies in charge of implementation, and timelines.