MINSK, 25 July (BelTA) - The Embassy of Vietnam in Minsk opened a book of condolences over the death of General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nguyen Phu Trong. Representatives of the Belarusian parliament and government came to the embassy to leave messages, BelTA has learned.
Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko expressed his condolences over the passing of Nguyen Phu Trong. "This outstanding political figure, with whom I was personally acquainted, made a great contribution to the formation of modern Vietnam. He is known for the services to reforming the party, strengthening its role in society, protecting the rights and interests of workers," the head of state noted. Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed that Belarus has lost a true friend who made a significant personal contribution to the development of Belarusian-Vietnamese cooperation, inter-party contacts and humanitarian ties.
Many Belarusian officials came to the Embassy of Vietnam to express their sincere condolences. Among them were First Deputy Head of the President Administration Natalya Petkevich, Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly Vadim Ipatov and Chairman of the Standing Commission on Education, Science, Culture and Social Development of the Council of the Republic of the National Assembly Sergei Sivets, First Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Lukashevich.
Belarus and Vietnam have very long time-tested friendly ties and enjoy large-scale cooperation in trade, economy, policy, culture and education, Natalya Petkevich stressed.
According to her, such close cooperation between the two countries was largely predetermined by the interpersonal relations between the leaders of Belarus and Vietnam. "Nguyen Phu Trong was a good friend of our country. The Belarusian head of state met with this prominent figure several times," Natalya Petkevich said. "His biography merits the highest respect, because from a young age he gave himself to the service of the party, the state."
Nguyen Phu Trong paid special attention to the development of relations with Belarus, and this, among other things, influenced the growth of mutual trade between the countries, especially in 2023 and 2024, and the expansion of areas of cooperation, she stressed.
On behalf of the National Assembly condolences to the Vietnamese people were extended by Deputy Chairman of the House of Representatives Vadim Ipatov: "He was really an ardent fighter for his people, their the happiness. He devoted his whole life to protecting the sovereignty and independence of his country. We sincerely express our condolences and express our support to the Vietnamese people." He also highlighted the special role of Nguyen Phu Trong in establishing good relations between Belarus and Vietnam, which will certainly remain so in the future.
First Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lukashevich, on behalf of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, expressed solidarity with the Vietnamese people. "We stand together with the Vietnamese people, the Embassy of Vietnam in Minsk in this sorrowful time," he said. "Friends should be there not only in times of joy but also in such sad moments, so we came here to express and show our sincere attitude." 
Describing the bilateral relations between the states, Sergei Lukashevich stressed that they have a long history and depth. "We are good friends in international organizations. We interact in the political dimension, in trade and economy ," he said.
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