Vietnamese State President Luong Cuong made history as the first sitting head of state from Vietnam to visit Peru, arriving in the capital city of Lima on November 12, 2024. His presence in the South American nation marks not just the initiation of important dialogues but also coincides with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Peru, established on November 14, 1994.
The second day of his visit, November 13, was particularly eventful. Cuong met with numerous dignitaries including the President of the Supreme Court of Peru, Javier Arévalo Vela, and the President of the Peruvian Congress, Eduardo Sanjuana. During this busy schedule, discussions ranged from strengthening diplomatic ties to enhancing economic cooperation, highlighting the mutual commitment to deepen their longstanding relationship.
During the meeting with Arévalo Vela, Cuong expressed his excitement about his inaugural trip to Peru and congratulated the country on becoming a Development Partner of ASEAN earlier this year. Cuong also shared his confidence about the upcoming APEC Economic Leaders’ Week, anticipating its success would amplify Peru’s role and reputation internationally.
Reiterated throughout the discussions was the significant progress made between Vietnam and Peru across various sectors, most prominently trade and investment. Cuong noted, "At present, Peru is Vietnam's largest investment partner in Latin America, whereas Vietnam stands as Peru's foremost trading partner within ASEAN." This mutually beneficial relationship reflects the positive developments observed over the years, and both sides were optimistic about future enhancements.
One topic of interest was the improvement of the judicial sector. Cuong emphasized the importance of learning from international peers to efficiently cultivate Vietnam's legal system, aiming to meet modern challenges. He expressed hope for more collaboration between the judicial authorities of both nations, facilitating exchanges and enhancing mutual learning experiences.
Meanwhile, Eduardo Sanjuana welcomed Cuong and voiced his admiration for Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements. He noted the strong ties, asserting the need for increased communication and cooperation to learn from each other's experiences. According to him, parliamentary relations represent a pivotal aspect of both countries' diplomatic efforts.
Cuong presented Vietnam as prioritizing relations with Peru, emphasizing the nation's engagement amid the shifting dynamics of global politics. He extended congratulations to Boluarte for her role as host of the APEC 2024 Forum, which Peru is set to lead. The two leaders celebrated their countries' achievements, reflective of their shared values of multilateralism and international cooperation.
Following the successful exchanges, both presidents committed to promoting bilateral engagement and agreed to discuss future initiatives to upscale diplomatic ties. High-level visits and the exchange of partnerships between specialized legislative bodies were some of the key points aimed at boosting long-term collaboration.
On the economic front, significant discussions revealed optimism surrounding trade and investment potential. Cuong’s visit showcased the proactive stance of both nations to capitalize on the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) which both are signatories to, hinting at their mutual objectives to expand market access, particularly for agricultural goods.
The Peruvian President recognized the substantial contributions made by Viettel, Vietnam's leading telecommunications group, to local development through job creation and technology initiatives. She assured her government’s support for Viettel to expand its operations via its subsidiary, Bitel, focusing on digital transformation and smart city projects within the country.
Aside from economic matters, Cuong and Boluarte reaffirmed their commitment to promoting people-to-people connections and cultural exchanges. The cultural cooperation agreement between the two nations, established to build mutual appreciation of each other’s backgrounds, aims to be actively implemented. Education was also high on the agenda, with leaders discussing enhancing ties between universities and implementing cooperative agreements.
An important facet of the discussions was centered around shared challenges both nations face, such as those outlined by the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. The engagement aimed to catalyze joint efforts to tackle environmental issues, food security, and sustainable energy, which both countries deem integral for their futures.
After the meetings, Cuong and Boluarte formally issued a joint declaration, heralding their commitment to fostering long-term bilateral relationships and cooperative frameworks. The declaration emphasized political dialogue, economic collaboration, and mutual aspirations with respect for international laws and norms.
Later on, Cuong received the Order "The Sun of Peru", the highest honor awarded by the Peruvian government to acknowledge his contributions to strengthening bilateral relations. He expressed gratitude for the accolade, highlighting it as not just personal recognition but symbolic of the growing friendship between both nations.
The visit's concluding moments underscored Peru's significant role within Vietnam's foreign policy ambitions toward Latin America. Sanjuana's meeting with Cuong solidified Peru's standing as among Vietnam's most cherished partners in this region, fostering continued investment and development opportunities.
Cuong's visit marks another milestone, paving the way for future collaborations and highlighting areas where both countries can improve and grow together. The results of this official trip to Peru are expected to lay the groundwork for reshaping bilateral relationships and enhancing their roles on the world stage.
