Following their bilateral talks on October 6 during the official visit to Vietnam by Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, General Secretary and President To Lam joined the Panamanian President in addressing the press, according to Vietnam News Agency.
General Secretary and President To Lam stated that both leaders engaged in in-depth discussions on bilateral relations as well as regional and international issues of shared interest, noting that Vietnam–Panama relations have maintained positive momentum.
High-level exchanges and bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been regularly maintained. Bilateral trade has also expanded, with two-way turnover approaching $500 million in 2025.
Unlocking potential in trade, investment, and logistics
Both leaders assessed that substantial room remains for cooperation, particularly in commerce, investment, and services. They agreed to further advance collaboration in trade, investment, agriculture, seaport logistics, banking and finance, tourism, maritime transport, and areas of mutual strength.
Vietnam and Panama also agreed to maintain dialogue and negotiations on future agreements regarding investment protection, aviation, and other key sectors to establish a favorable institutional framework for expanded cooperation.
A central theme of the talks was maximizing each country's geoeconomic position by enhancing transport links, logistics networks, financial corridors, and supply chains between East Asia and Latin America, thereby unlocking fresh market opportunities for their respective business communities.
The two sides have agreed to capitalize on their respective geoeconomic advantages to bolster transport connectivity, logistics, financial flows, and supply chains linking East Asia and Latin America.
On multilateral cooperation, both sides agreed to maintain coordination and mutual support within international organizations and multilateral forums, consult on shared regional and global issues, and uphold the principles of international law and the United Nations Charter.
Both leaders affirmed their support for maintaining freedom and safety of navigation and overflight, as well as the peaceful settlement of disputes in accordance with international law, particularly the UN Charter and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
A major milestone of the visit was the adoption of a Joint Statement outlining strategic directions, objectives, principles, and priority areas for future Vietnam–Panama relations.
Under the Joint Statement, the two countries agreed to intensify state diplomacy, enhance parliamentary cooperation, promote people-to-people exchanges, and facilitate market access for businesses to integrate more deeply into regional and global supply chains.
Speaking to the press, President Mulino stated that economic relations formed a key component of the talks. Highlighting Vietnam's remarkable industrial and export capabilities, he expressed Panama's aspiration to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese goods and products to access Latin American and Caribbean markets.
President Mulino called on Vietnamese enterprises to leverage Panama's unique advantages to establish a local footprint and expand operations across the broader region.
The two leaders also discussed agriculture, infrastructure connectivity, tourism, maritime cooperation, and complementary sectors to facilitate market expansion for businesses and producers on both sides.
On the same day, the two leaders witnessed the exchange of nine cooperation documents spanning maritime shipping, security, agriculture, tourism, customs administration, civil aviation, and professional training.
President Mulino commended the signed pacts, particularly those covering security, maritime transport, and agriculture, describing them as critical milestones in bilateral ties.
Google translate