Sri Lanka's President engages in a discussion with the Prime Minister in Ha Noi.

Rewritten Article:

,Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh holds talks with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Hanoi

HANOI – In a landmark meeting on May 22, 2025, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Hanoi. President Dissanayaka's visit to Vietnam marks a significant milestone, as he heralds Vietnam as his first stop in Southeast Asia since assuming office.

The Prime Minister warmly received President Dissanayaka, expressing delight at Sri Lanka's high regard for their relationship with Vietnam. This visit holds a special significance, as both nations celebrate the 55th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

Prime Minister Chinh praised President Dissanayaka's choice of Vietnam as his inaugural visit to Southeast Asia, acknowledging the profound connections shared by the two nations rooted in shared Buddhist values and aspirations for peace, independence, and prosperity.

President Dissanayaka, in turn, voiced his admiration for the Vietnamese people's unyielding spirit and their shared history of struggle for independence. He also expressed Sri Lanka's deep respect for Vietnam, viewing it as a source of inspiration for their own journey towards progress and recovery.

During their discussion, the leaders exchanged insights on strategic orientations and development experiences. Prime Minister Chinh shared Vietnam's focus on reforming its growth model, streamlining the state apparatus, advancing science and technology, and building an independent and self-reliant economy. President Dissanayaka expressed his gratitude for these insights and expressed his eagerness for ongoing knowledge exchanges between the two nations.

Both leaders expressed their commitment to deepening cooperation across various sectors, aiming to elevate the relationship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka when conditions are favorable and mutual consensus is reached. They also agreed to increase high-level visits and make full use of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, especially the Joint Committee and its Trade Subcommittee. They pledged to review and promote the signing of key agreements and explore new forms of collaboration tailored to each country's needs and capabilities.

The leaders highlighted the importance of strengthening economic, trade, and investment ties, with the goal of increasing two-way trade to $1 billion. They also touched upon the possibility of negotiating a bilateral free trade agreement and an investment protection and promotion deal. President Dissanayaka expressed his support for Vietnamese companies exporting products that meet Sri Lanka's demands and offered favorable conditions for Vietnamese investment in key projects.

In addition to economic cooperation, the leaders recognized the potential for collaboration in digital transformation, green transition, high-tech agriculture, and science and technology, especially in emerging technologies. President Dissanayaka expressed his hopes for potential cooperation in AI and the defense industry to boost capacity building.

President Dissanayaka, in a show of solidarity, congratulated the Vietnamese people on the historic victory of April 30, 1975. Prime Minister Chinh extended his regards to Sri Lankan Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, hoping to welcome her to Vietnam in the near future.

- VNS

Insights from the Enrichment Data:

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính meets with Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Dissanayaka in Hà Nội on Monday. VNA/VNS Photo

In their meeting, Prime Minister Chinh and President Dissanayaka signed several agreements such as a Customs Cooperation Pact, an MoU on Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing, an MoU on Agriculture, and an MoU on Diplomatic Training.
They also signed an MoU on Trade Promotion Cooperation aimed at enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries.
In addition to economic cooperation, the leaders discussed defense and security, with an emphasis on renewing the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation and enhancing cooperation in defense studies and UN Peacekeeping operations.
They also touch on the potential for cooperation in AI and the defense industry to enhance capacity building.
The collaboration extends to education and training, combating transnational crimes, including terrorism and cybercrimes, and AI.

The leaders agreed to explore new forms of collaboration in AI and the defense industry to boost capacity building.
Prime Minister Chinh mentioned Vietnam's focus on advancing science and technology, including AI, as part of their independent and self-reliant economy.
President Dissanayaka expressed his hopes for potential cooperation in AI to strengthen economic ties.
The Prime Minister shared Vietnam's focus on technology, including AI, as part of their strategic orientations.
The leaders also acknowledged the potential for collaboration in digital transformation, which encompasses AI and other technologies.
In the realm of education and training, the leaders touched upon the possibility of cooperation in AI.
The leaders also discussed defense and security, with an emphasis on AI and renewing the Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation.

Sri Lanka's President engages in a discussion with the Prime Minister in Ha Noi.