The visit holds significant meaning as it takes place at a time that Vietnam and Sri Lanka are celebrating the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic relations.
Sri Lanka is one of Vietnam's traditional friends with sympathy and importance attached to its relations with Vietnam. The current government of Sri Lanka shows its respect for President Ho Chi Minh and considers Vietnam an example of successful economic development and international integration. The country has also recognized Vietnam's full market economy status.
    |
 |
|
President of the Democratic Socialist Republic of Sri Lanka Anura Kumara Dissanayaka (Photo: VNA) |
Since the establishment of their diplomatic relations on July 21, 1970, the relationship between the two countries has constantly and positively developed. The two sides have maintained contacts when attending multilateral forums and good coordination through the Party, National Assembly and people channels. The Communist Party of Vietnam and political parties in Sri Lanka regularly exchange congratulatory messages or letters on the occasions of the two countries' holidays. Up to date, the two countries have established three important bilateral cooperation mechanisms, namely the Joint Commission on Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation; Political Consultations; and the Joint Subcommittee on Trade.
The over-five decades-long fruitful bilateral friendly ties have been enhanced through reciprocal visits of the two countries’ senior leaders. On the Vietnam side, key visits included the official visit by Prime Minister Pham Van Dong in March 1978 and the state visit by State President Truong Tan Sang in October 2011. On the Sri Lankan side, prominent visits included the official visits to Vietnam by Prime Minister Ratnasiri Wickramanayake in November 2006, President Mahinda Rajapaksa in October 2009, and Prime Minister Ranil Wickremesinghe in April 2017; and Prime Minister D.M. Jayaratne’s visit to attend the Vesak celebrations in May 2014.
Though the economic-trade-investment cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka remains modest, with an annual trade turnover of about USD 200 million, mainly Vietnamese exports, it has much potential to develop.
In recent years, the two countries have made efforts to promote cooperation in defense, security, finance, education, culture, religion and at regional and international forums. Collaboration in other areas such as finance, agriculture, education, transportation, culture, tourism, people-to-people exchange has also been strengthened with more than 30 cooperation agreements. Currently, Sri Lanka has three friendship organizations with Vietnam, namely the Sri Lanka - Vietnam Solidarity Association, the Sri Lanka - Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Association, and the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Friendship Fund of the People's Liberation Front Party (Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna - JVP), while Vietnam has the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Group of Friendship Parliamentarians of 14th National Assembly, and the Vietnam - Sri Lanka Friendship Association.
In the days when the country is full of optimism, confidence and determination to enter a new era of development, the leaders of the Party, State and people of Vietnam welcome President of Sri Lanka Dissanayaka in Vietnam, affirming the Southeast Asian country’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralization. It also confirms Vietnam’s continuity to deepen relations, create intertwined interests, increase trust, and implement the foreign policy of the 13th National Party Congress with priority given to development of relations with traditional friendly countries, including Sri Lanka. In addition, it is a confirmation that Vietnam proactively creates open space, seeks cooperation, promotes foreign relations through Party, State and people-to-people diplomacy channels.
Also, President Dissanayaka's visit to Vietnam to participate in the U.N. Day of Vesak is a testament to the deep cultural and Buddhist bonds between the two countries.
We believe that Sri Lankan President Dissanayaka’s first visit to Vietnam will continue to contribute to strengthening political trust, while devising specific measures to realize the signed cooperation agreements and accelerate bilateral cooperation across all aspects in a more substantive and effective manner, thereby opening a new chapter in the friendship and cooperative ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
By the Editorial Board
Translated by Mai Huong