This is President Luong Cuong's first overseas trip in his new position, with special significance and importance both bilaterally and multilaterally. Regarding bilateral relations, Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang said that the visit will contribute to strengthening Vietnam's relations with the two countries as well as the Latin American region. For Chile, this is the first visit by a Vietnamese President in 15 years, on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the historic meeting between President Ho Chi Minh and the late President Salvador Allende - an event that laid the foundation for Chile to become the first country in South America to establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam. Vietnam - Chile relations have been developing positively, especially in trade. Two-way trade turnover has increased fourfold in more than a decade, reaching 1.5 billion USD in 2023. Chile is one of Vietnam's leading important partners in the region; it is the first Latin American country to sign a free trade agreement with Vietnam (in 2014).

President Luong Cuong. Photo: Hoang Ha

Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Hang shared that the visit will bring "new vitality" to the Vietnam - Chile relationship. For Peru, this is the first official visit of the President of Vietnam, taking place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations. The visit is expected to be a historic milestone, contributing to strengthening political relations, improving cooperation efficiency, and bringing the relationship to a new height. Peru is the country with the largest direct investment of Vietnam in Latin America; is the 6th largest trading partner of Vietnam in the region, while Vietnam is Peru's largest trading partner in ASEAN. Bilateral trade turnover in 2023 reached nearly 500 million USD, and in the first 7 months of this year it reached nearly 300 million USD. The APEC High-Level Week is an opportunity for the President to meet and interact with APEC leaders, including many comprehensive strategic partners and strategic partners. Regarding multilateralism, the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed that the President's participation in the APEC 2024 Summit Week continues to affirm Vietnam's active and responsible contribution to solving regional and global issues, especially promoting the process of international economic integration... APEC is the leading economic forum, where 3/5 of the world's largest economies converge, accounting for about 77% of trade, 81% of foreign direct investment and 85% of tourists to Vietnam. As the host of APEC 2027, this is also an opportunity for Vietnam to promote the implementation of the APEC Vision to 2040, which our country initiated and participated in building with members since 2017. The President will put forward many strategic and innovative proposals to further promote the role and position of APEC in international economic cooperation and integration, and respond to emerging challenges. The President will convey the message about the Vietnamese people's aspirations to rise up in the new era, the major orientations for development, foreign affairs and international integration of Vietnam... "The participation in the APEC 2024 Summit Week and the official visit to Chile and Peru by President Luong Cuong is an important step in implementing Vietnam's consistent foreign policy of diversification, multilateralization, being a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member of the international community. At the same time, it creates new impetus to bring the Vietnam - Chile Comprehensive Partnership and the Vietnam - Peru multi-faceted cooperation into a new stage of development that is more dynamic, substantive and effective; affirming the new mindset, increasing role and position of Vietnam in Asia - Pacific and in the world", the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs affirmed.

Vietnamnet.vn

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/chu-tich-nuoc-luong-cuong-se-neu-nhieu-de-xuat-mang-tinh-chien-luoc-tai-apec-2339884.html