President Luong Cuong delivers a policy speech at the Arab League Headquarters in Cairo, Egypt. Photo: Lam Khanh/ VNA
The Office of the President's Electronic Information Page respectfully introduces the full text of the President's speech with the theme: "Opening a new chapter in the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Arab countries for peace , cooperation and development".
Mr. Ahmed Aboul Gheit, Secretary General of the Arab League!
Dear Ambassadors, Heads of Missions, representatives of the member states of the Arab League!
Ladies and gentlemen!
Today, I am honored to be the first high-ranking leader of the Party and State of Vietnam to visit and speak at the Headquarters of the Arab League. First of all, I would like to sincerely thank the Secretary General and all of you for the warm and respectful welcome given to me and the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation.
I would like to send to the Secretary General, and all of you, the most respectful greetings and best regards of Comrade General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam To Lam; and of the leaders of the Party, State and People of Vietnam.
The 80-year history has affirmed the role of the Arab League as a common home for Arab countries, a place where solidarity, self-reliance and aspirations for development converge. Vietnam highly appreciates the tireless efforts of the Arab League in promoting peace, cooperation and development, affirming the role and position of Arab countries in the region as well as in the international arena.
Dear Sir or Madam,
Vietnam has always admired the brilliant civilization of the Arab countries. The thousand-year-old treasure of epics, philosophy, and poetry of the Arab world has fascinated many generations of Vietnamese people. Your unique cultural identity and timeless spiritual values are always an endless source of inspiration for wisdom, courage, love of freedom and justice, enriching human civilization.
My visit to Egypt this time affirms Vietnam’s desire to strengthen and deepen relations with Egypt and the Arab countries. From the history of solidarity, attachment, and extremely valuable traditional friendship, we wish to write with you a new chapter in the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the brotherly Arab countries for peace, cooperation and development.
In that spirit, in today's discussion, I would like to share with you three main contents: (1) Vietnam's viewpoint on the current world and regional situation; (2) Achievements of the Doi Moi process in Vietnam and Vietnam's orientation in the new era; (3) Vision on the relationship between Vietnam and Arab countries in the coming time.
I. ON THE CURRENT WORLD AND REGIONAL SITUATION
The world is facing unprecedented challenges. Peace, cooperation and development remain the major trends and common aspirations of all nations, but conflicts, power politics, strategic competition between major powers and the use of force and threats of force in international relations are emerging at an alarming rate. While traditional security hotspots in many regions of the world remain at a standstill, non-traditional security challenges are becoming increasingly severe, especially climate change, water security, food security, cyber security, etc. Protectionism, trade wars, fragmented globalization and supply chain disruptions due to geopolitical competition have been directly affecting the legitimate interests of developing countries, including Vietnam and Arab countries.
In the current complicated situation, Vietnam hopes that all countries in the world need to clearly demonstrate their responsibility for world peace, promote multilateralism, respect the United Nations Charter, international law and widely recognized principles of conduct, and respect the legitimate interests of small and medium-sized countries. In a multipolar world, the role and voice of Southern countries, including Vietnam and Arab countries, will become increasingly important. President Ho Chi Minh, the great leader of the Vietnamese people - a world cultural celebrity, affirmed: "Unity, unity, great unity - success, success, great success", and that truth still holds true today. Our strength lies in solidarity, therefore, Vietnam and Arab countries need to strengthen solidarity, raise the banner of multilateralism, and actively contribute to building a fair and equal world economic and political order, based on international law.
As a nation that has experienced much pain and loss due to war, Vietnam understands the value of peace more than anyone else. The idea of peace and harmony is deeply rooted in the identity of the Vietnamese people. The history of our relations with former enemies shows that the power of dialogue, reconciliation and the spirit of “putting the past behind and looking to the future” is the premise for countries to live together in peace. Therefore, we are extremely concerned about the current use of force, causing prolonged conflicts and humanitarian crises in the Middle East. We hope that all relevant parties will find peaceful and sustainable solutions on the basis of international law through dialogue to conflicts and disagreements in the region.
Once again, we reiterate our consistent stance on the Middle East peace process: Vietnam firmly supports the two-State solution, which includes the establishment of the State of Palestine with East Jerusalem as its capital, with internationally recognized borders on the basis of pre-1967 borders, in accordance with international law, the United Nations Charter and relevant United Nations Resolutions.
II. ACHIEVEMENTS OF THE RENOVATION PROCESS IN VIETNAM AND VIETNAM'S ORIENTATION IN THE NEW ERA
Dear Sir or Madam,
This year, Vietnam celebrates the 135th birthday of the great President Ho Chi Minh, the 80th anniversary of the founding of the country and the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification. After nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (1986), Vietnam has achieved great and historic achievements. From a place of food shortages, Vietnam has risen to become one of the world's leading rice exporters, contributing to global food security. Currently, Vietnam is among the 32 largest economies and the 20 leading trading countries in the world, having signed 17 FTAs with more than 60 economies in the world. The political and social situation is stable, independence and national sovereignty are maintained; social order and security are ensured. The macro economy remains stable; inflation is controlled. Social security is increasingly taken care of; the spiritual and material life of the people is improved. Our country has 54 ethnic groups living together in harmony in the great national unity bloc. In the 2025 Happiness Index, Vietnam ranked 46th in the world. Foreign affairs and international integration have achieved many outstanding achievements. To date, Vietnam has established diplomatic relations with 194 countries; established the framework of comprehensive strategic partnership, strategic partnership, and comprehensive partnership with 37 countries; and is an active member of more than 70 international organizations. The Communist Party of Vietnam also has relations with 259 political parties in 119 countries around the world.
To achieve these achievements, Vietnam has always steadfastly focused on building three fundamental elements, which are: (1) Building socialist democracy; (2) Building a socialist rule-of-law state; (3) Building a socialist-oriented market economy.
From the 40 years of Renovation, we have drawn 5 major lessons, which are: (1) Persistently pursuing the goal of national independence and socialism, and persistently pursuing the Renovation path; (2) Maintaining and strengthening the leadership and ruling role of the Communist Party of Vietnam is the decisive factor in all victories of the Renovation process; (3) Thoroughly grasping and thoroughly practicing the viewpoint "People are the root". Taking people as the center, the subject, the goal, the driving force and the most important resource of development; (4) Keeping close to reality, correctly assessing the situation, and making timely and appropriate decisions. Innovating and perfecting mechanisms and policies to unblock, promote and effectively use all resources for national construction, development and defense; (5) Constantly innovating thinking, especially strategic thinking.
Dear Sir or Madam,
On this occasion, I would like to share some issues about the new era, the era of striving to develop a rich, civilized and prosperous country of the Vietnamese people. As you may know, the leaders of the Party and State of Vietnam, headed by General Secretary To Lam, have put forward a new vision, striving to successfully implement two 100-year strategic goals: By 2030, the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnam will become a developing country with modern industry and high average income; and by 2045, Vietnam will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of the country and become a developed, high-income country.
To achieve these great goals, we continue to thoroughly implement three strategic breakthroughs in institutions; in high-quality human resources; in building modern and synchronous infrastructure and at the same time focus on implementing the revolution in streamlining the apparatus, organizing a 2-level local government model and synchronously implementing: (i) Breakthroughs in developing science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation; (ii) Promoting comprehensive and deep international integration; (iii) Breakthroughs in law making and enforcement; (iv) Developing the private economy, considering the private economy as the most important driving force of the national economy.
Regarding foreign affairs, Vietnam will continue to consistently implement its foreign policy of independence, peace, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, comprehensive and extensive international integration, being an active and responsible member of the international community; proactively and responsibly participating in solving common regional and international issues. In the new era, Vietnam will promote the implementation of comprehensive, modern and professional diplomacy, commensurate with the historical and cultural stature and position of the country; enhancing the role and position of Vietnam in world politics, global economy and human civilization.
III. VISION OF RELATIONS BETWEEN VIETNAM AND ARAB COUNTRIES IN THE COMING TIME
Dear Sir or Madam,
The relationship between the Vietnamese people and the people of Arab countries has a very proud history. On his journey to find a way to save the country, from the early years of the 20th century, the patriotic young man Nguyen Ai Quoc - the great President Ho Chi Minh of Vietnam stopped in Egypt, Algeria and Tunisia. The close friendship between the Vietnamese people and the Arab countries has a historical foundation, which was personally cultivated by President Ho Chi Minh and the senior leaders of many Arab countries.
We are deeply moved to know that in the hearts of the people of Egypt and many Arab countries, there is still a vivid memory of Ho Chi Minh, a great friend and a tireless fighter for the aspiration for peace, independence and freedom.
During the struggle for national liberation and unification in the past, as well as in the process of national development today, Vietnam and Arab countries have always given each other valuable support, encouragement and assistance. Vietnam always respects, preserves and is very proud to have diplomatic relations with all 22 member countries of the Arab League, with many areas of cooperation becoming increasingly substantive and effective. In particular, the Vietnam - Egypt relationship is a beautiful model of friendship and brotherhood.
Dear Sir or Madam,
In the context of the world facing many instabilities, the desire for peace, cooperation and development of the peoples is more burning than ever, I believe that the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Arab countries in general, Egypt in particular, built on the foundation of history, trust and the desire for development will increasingly bear fruit. With that spirit, to bring the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Egypt and Arab countries into depth, stability and sustainability, I would like to propose some directions as follows:
First, we need to continue to strengthen political trust to create a solid foundation for multifaceted cooperation. We wish to further promote the exchange of delegations at all levels with Arab countries and the Arab League both bilaterally and at multilateral conferences and forums. I respectfully invite the Secretary-General to visit Vietnam soon to discuss cooperation opportunities. In the future, we will increase the number of delegations at all levels, especially high-level ones, to visit Arab countries to further strengthen the solidarity and closeness between the two sides.
In July 2023, Vietnam and the Arab League established a cooperation mechanism between the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Arab League Secretariat. We hope to further concretize and effectively implement this cooperation mechanism, especially in research and policy recommendations to enhance the relationship between Vietnam and the Arab League and its member states.
Second, deepen economic, trade and investment cooperation. Vietnam is a market of over 100 million people with a booming middle class, while Arab countries are a market of 400 million people with a total GDP of over 6,000 billion USD. Our economies complement each other quite well, creating conditions to further promote substantive and multifaceted cooperation between the two sides. In particular, Vietnam hopes that Arab countries will increase experience sharing, support Vietnam in developing the Halal industry, boost exports and provide Halal services to Arab Muslim countries.
Vietnam has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE). In the context of our efforts to diversify markets and partners, we hope to further promote the study of signing more Free Trade Agreements between Vietnam and Arab countries, ensuring the harmonious interests of both sides. Vietnam is a destination for Arab investors, especially from the Gulf countries, with a total of over 70 projects. We hope that there will be more new investment projects from you in Vietnam.
Third, jointly promote the development of science, technology, innovation and digital transformation. Like Vietnam, many Arab countries are accelerating the process of economic transformation from brown to green, increasing the application of high technology to promote green economy, circular economy and sustainable development. We are particularly impressed by the achievements that many Arab countries such as the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Qatar... have achieved in this important transition process. Your impressive achievements will inspire us to firmly move towards the goals of the new era.
With complementary needs and capabilities, Vietnam and Arab countries can promote cooperation in developing solar energy, wind energy, green hydrogen production and energy storage technology. This is a promising direction, taking advantage of the capital and technology strengths of Arab countries and the potential for renewable energy development in Vietnam. We hope that you will share your experiences as a pioneer, thereby contributing to promoting sustainable development, while fulfilling the commitment to net zero emissions by 2050.
Fourth, promote people-to-people exchanges and connect young people. With a history of thousands of years of civilization, a combination of rich cultural heritage and beautiful natural landscapes, Vietnam has become a favorite country for international tourists. We hope that more and more tourists from Arab countries will come to Vietnam to explore investment, business and tourism opportunities. The Vietnamese government has been actively facilitating visa procedures for countries, including Arab Muslim countries. We hope that we will actively promote cultural and artistic exchange programs, increase scholarships for students, especially for Vietnamese students studying Arabic in regional countries.
In addition, through the important role of the Arab League, we also hope that the Governments of member countries will create more favorable conditions for over 30,000 Vietnamese workers working in Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE... to stabilize their business and living conditions and contribute more positively to the socio-economic development of the host countries as well as the relations between the host countries and Vietnam.
Fifth, further strengthen coordination at regional and international multilateral forums. In the Asia-Pacific region, ASEAN is a community with nearly 700 million people and a total GDP of 4,000 billion USD, playing a central role in the evolving regional structure. As an active member of ASEAN, Vietnam has been making increasingly positive contributions to resolving common regional and international issues. We are ready to play a bridging role, further promoting cooperation between ASEAN and the Arab League, especially in protecting peace, promoting the building of a fair, equal world order based on international law, where the voices and legitimate aspirations of developing countries like us are heard and respected.
In particular, Vietnam and ASEAN in general look forward to the Arab League and its member states sharing valuable experiences in promoting mediation and reconciliation diplomacy, contributing to finding peaceful solutions to regional conflicts and disputes. Together, we can promote sustainable peace in the two regions, contributing to building a better, more humane, and more livable world.
Finally, I would like to wish the Secretary-General, Ambassadors, Heads of Delegations, and representatives of the Arab League member states good health, happiness, and success.
May the friendship between Vietnam, Egypt and Arab countries continue to blossom and last forever!
Thank you very much!
Source: https://vpctn.gov.vn/tin-tuc-su-kien/hoat-dong-cua-chu-tich-nuoc/toan-van-bai-phat-bieu-chinh-sach-cua-chu-tich-nuoc-tai-lien-doan-arap.html
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