On the morning of March 6, at the Presidential Palace, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh presided over a grand welcome ceremony for Kyrgyzstan’s Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from March 5 to 7.

This marks the first visit of a Kyrgyz prime minister to Vietnam since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two nations.

Amid a warm and friendly atmosphere, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended a heartfelt welcome to Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev and the high-level Kyrgyz delegation.

A ceremony of honor and respect

As part of the official proceedings, young students from Hanoi presented bouquets of fresh flowers to the visiting leader. The two prime ministers walked the red carpet, greeted by students waving the national flags of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam.

Standing on the ceremonial platform, under the flags of both nations, the national anthems of Kyrgyzstan and Vietnam were played. In a solemn moment, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev saluted the flags of their respective countries.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh then invited his Kyrgyz counterpart to inspect the Honor Guard of the Vietnam People’s Army. The two leaders also introduced members of their high-level delegations before witnessing a military parade in honor of the occasion.

Following the ceremony, the two prime ministers traveled from the Presidential Palace to the Government Headquarters for official talks. Before their discussions, they toured a photo exhibition showcasing the landscapes, people, and longstanding friendship between Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan.

During his visit, Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev is also scheduled to meet with Vietnam’s top leaders and participate in other key diplomatic activities.

Strengthening Vietnam-Kyrgyzstan relations

In their talks, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev on his first official visit to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1992.

The visit marks a historic milestone, opening a new chapter in bilateral cooperation and paving the way for elevating their relationship to a comprehensive partnership.

Prime Minister Adylbek Kasimalyev expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s remarkable socio-economic achievements and growing influence in Southeast Asia. He affirmed that Kyrgyzstan views Vietnam as a key diplomatic priority and hopes to expand collaboration in areas of mutual strength and potential.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized Vietnam’s deep appreciation for the traditional friendship between the two nations, which has been cultivated over generations. He recalled the valuable support and assistance that the Soviet Union, including the people of Kyrgyzstan, provided to Vietnam in its struggle for independence, national defense, and economic development.

Expanding economic and trade cooperation

The two leaders exchanged views on their respective national situations and discussed measures to enhance bilateral relations. They agreed on several initiatives to deepen cooperation across various fields.

Both prime ministers emphasized the importance of maintaining high-level exchanges and direct communication channels to effectively implement strategic agreements.

They also reaffirmed their commitment to working closely in multilateral forums, particularly at the United Nations. Vietnam expressed readiness to serve as a bridge for Kyrgyzstan to strengthen ties with ASEAN, while Kyrgyzstan pledged to support Vietnam’s engagement with Central Asia.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also requested Kyrgyzstan’s backing for Vietnam and ASEAN’s stance on the South China Sea issue.

Trade and investment opportunities

Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan have maintained strong diplomatic ties since 1992, supporting each other in international forums for over 30 years. Despite positive developments in trade and investment, both leaders acknowledged that bilateral trade remains below its potential.

The two countries agreed on the need to fully leverage the benefits of the Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement to boost commercial exchanges.

They also expressed support for establishing cooperative mechanisms between economic, trade, and investment authorities, including the possibility of forming an intergovernmental committee. Additionally, both sides welcomed direct business engagements and participation in trade fairs and exhibitions.

The prime ministers assigned relevant ministries to accelerate negotiations for agreements on double taxation avoidance, investment promotion and protection, and economic cooperation. They also discussed potential export opportunities for key products, including wood and wooden products, electronics, textiles, seafood, fruits, cashews, and tea.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh proposed that Kyrgyzstan explore partnerships with Vietnamese businesses for Halal product production and export, targeting both the Kyrgyz market and the broader Central Asian region.

Broader areas of collaboration

Beyond economic ties, the two sides agreed to enhance cooperation in agriculture, defense and security, education and training, culture and tourism, and regional connectivity. They also emphasized the importance of expanding transportation links, particularly in aviation and rail, to facilitate trade and travel.

Kyrgyzstan sees Vietnam as a gateway to ASEAN markets, while Vietnam views Kyrgyzstan as a promising investment destination for Vietnamese enterprises.

Growing trade ties

According to Vietnam Customs data, bilateral trade between Vietnam and Kyrgyzstan averaged only $1.36 million per year between 2017 and 2021. However, trade surged by 70.9% in 2022 and grew another 66.7% in 2023, reaching $7.5 million.

In 2024, trade volume skyrocketed to $21.5 million, marking a 172% increase compared to 2023. These figures highlight the untapped potential for economic cooperation between the two nations.

During the visit, both sides are expected to sign several agreements to further strengthen their partnership.

Tran Thuong - Pham Hai