The decision to raise relations to a new level in response to the rapidly changing global political and economic situation was shared by Dissanayaka and the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, To Lam, in a meeting held on Sunday.

During the talks, both sides expressed their satisfaction with the sustainable development of the traditional friendly relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries over the past 55 years, based on deep strategic trust and close cooperation in various areas.

Friendship and mutual understanding are a solid foundation for continuing to effectively exploit each country’s potential and elevating relations to a new level, both leaders agreed. They also called for expanding defense and security cooperation, making this area a new pillar of bilateral ties.

To Lam, who praised Sri Lanka’s active role in the UN and welcomed its willingness to strengthen cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), affirmed that Vietnam is willing to support Sri Lanka in its economic and social development. In response, Dissanayaka, applauded this initiative and assured that it will facilitate investment by Vietnamese companies in Sri Lanka’s strategic sectors.

Both sides also agreed to expand collaboration in the areas of agriculture, education, culture, people-to-people exchanges, tourism, and religion, as well as to promote the early opening of a direct air route between the two nations.

jrr/llp/ro/mpm