Hanoi (VNA) – State President Luong Cuong hosted separate receptions in Hanoi on June 26 for the outgoing Canadian and Iranian ambassadors to Vietnam.
Congratulating Canadian Ambassador Shawn Perry Steil on his successful tenure, Cuong expressed appreciation for his efforts in advancing the Vietnam – Canada ties, especially during milestones like the fifth anniversary of their Comprehensive Partnership in 2022 and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023.
Despite global and regional volatilities, he noted with satisfaction that the two nations have kept the positive momentum going, with frequent high-level meetings and sideline engagements at major international events. Economic and trade ties have grown steadily, while defence cooperation remains a standout pillar.
The President also highlighted people-to-people and locality-to-locality exchanges, calling the nearly 300,000-strong Vietnamese community in Canada “silent ambassadors” who have woven a tight bond between the two countries.
Looking ahead, he called for leveraging shared memberships in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), especially as Canada has become a strategic partner of ASEAN. He asked Steil, in any future position, to keep contributing to bilateral relations, especially the consideration of the establishment of a Vietnam – Canada strategic partnership, which will provide a broader and more robust framework to elevate the relationship for the benefit of their peoples and businesses.
He urged continued efforts to facilitate delegation exchanges, dialogue, and cooperation across the Party, State, National Assembly, and people-to-people channels. Priority should be given to high-level visits, as well as collaboration in education - training, science - technology, intellectual property, communications, and even food safety and sanitary and phytosanitary measures, where untapped potential could yield big wins.
Ambassador Steil, reflecting on his tenure, lauded Vietnam’s openness and proactive stance on global challenges, its dynamic socio-economic progress, and growing stature in the international arena.
The Canadian Government always values its relationship with Vietnam, especially as Ottawa adjusts its strategy in response to global changes, he said, believing that the Indo-Pacific Strategy undertaken by the Canadian Government will pave the way for new initiatives and deeper bilateral cooperation.
Canada will continue to stand by Vietnam and work together in realising commitments, especially those related to climate change response, energy transition, education, and human resources development, he went on.
Meeting Iranian Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari, Cuong lauded the diplomat for promoting business connectivity and cultural exchanges, especially during the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations.
Expressing solidarity with the Iranian people amid challenges, the President welcomed the recent ceasefire agreement, hoping it will bring peace and stability to the region. Vietnam, he reiterated, stays steadfast in settling all differences through dialogue and diplomacy, grounded in international law.
Vietnam always values its friendship with Iran and looks forward to stronger all-around cooperation, he said, hoping that Nazari, with deep affinity for Vietnam, will keep championing bilateral ties, regardless of future positions he may hold.
Nazari, in reply, spotlighted the string of cooperation agreements inked during his tenure and positive coordination at international organisations and multilateral forums. In his view, there remains untapped potential in economic and trade relations, and with shared determination, the two sides could soon achieve the target of 2 billion USD in trade turnover.
The diplomat also underlined the importance of maintaining high-level exchanges and reiterated an invitation from the President of Iran for President Cuong to visit Iran at an appropriate time.
He concluded by affirming that he will always cherish the affection shown by the Vietnamese State and people and pledging to continue pushing the Vietnam – Iran partnership forward, wherever he may serve in the future./.
