Review on external affairs from Aug. 21-27: Visits to Vietnam by Kazakh President and President of Belgian Senate; Vietnam-Australian FMs’Meeting

Leaders’ activities

On the successful landing of India's Chandrayaan-3 spacecraft on the Moon, President Vo Van Thuong sent a letter of congratulations to Indian President Droupadi Murmu. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also sent a congratulatory message to Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue extended congratulations to Chairman of the Rajya Sabha (the Upper House of India's parliament) Jagdeep Dhankhar and Speaker of the Lok Sabha (the Lower House) Om Birla. On the occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent his greetings to Minister of External Affairs Subrahmanyam Jaishankar.

On August 23, receiving Chief Representative of Japan's Komeito party Yamaguchi Natsuo on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties (1973-2023), President Thuong spoke highly of the Komeito party’s role in the process of Japan’s socio-economic development and in an effort to step up Japan-Vietnam ties. President Vo Van Thuong hailed the visit and believed that the trip would contribute to promoting bilateral cooperation. He suggested both sides facilitate the exchange of high-level delegations as it is their good tradition.

On the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception for visiting Komeito party Chief Representative Yamaguchi Natsuo. NA Chairman Hue expressed his belief that the visit would help deepen the relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and Komeito Party and contribute to the strengthening of the ties between the two countries.

On August 22, receiving Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Laos Viengthong Siphandon, President Vo Van Thuong highly valuing the talks’ outcomes between Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh and Lao counterpart which was held earlier the same day. President Thuong said the Vietnam - Laos special relationship is a priceless common asset both countries need to maintain and promote. The President applauded the cooperation results of the countries’ court sectors, affirming that Vietnam is delighted at the Lao people’s achievements in economic development, defence and security, and also sympathises with the difficulties they are facing.

From August 20-22, at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong, President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev led a high-ranking delegation of Kazakhstan to pay an official visit to Vietnam, which is the first visit of a Kazakh President to Vietnam in 12 years, and also the first time President Tokayev visits Vietnam in his new position.

President Vo Van Thuong and President of Kazakhstan Kassym-Jomart Tokayev hold talks in Hanoi, on August 21, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa)

The President of Kazakhstan met Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, held talks with President Vo Van Thuong; and had separate meetings with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue. The two sides engaged in in-depth discussions on measures to enhance cooperation in politics, economy-trade, investment, transport and logistics, culture, and tourism as well as various issues of mutual interest. At their talks, the two Presidents agreed to facilitate the exchange of delegations at all levels through Party, State, Government, and parliamentary channels as well as people-to-people exchanges. President Vo Van Thuong asked Kazakhstan to support early negotiations to upgrade the Free Trade Agreement to meet the requirements of reality and promptly create new opportunities for trade between the two countries. A joint press communique has been issued on the outcomes of the official visit to Vietnam by Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev from August 20-22.

On August 21 evening, President Vo Van Thuong hosted a banquet in honour of visiting Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev. During the visit, Kazakh President paid tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and laid a wreath at the monument to war martyrs near there. The President also visited some economic and cultural establishments in Hanoi’s neighboring provinces of Bac Ninh and Hai Duong. At noon on August 22, Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev left Hanoi, successfully concluding his three-day official visit to Vietnam.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Spouse pay an official visit to Vietnam from August 27-29. During this visit, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended a series of activities and important events demonstrating the comprehensive cooperation and mutual trust between Vietnam and Singapore.

At the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Spouse pay an official visit to Vietnam from August 27-29, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

On August 22, receiving Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh noted with satisfaction the vigorous growth of the countries’ relations, especially their increasingly enhanced political trust and the flourishing ties in economy - trade, education, culture, labour, people-to-people exchanges, and locality-to-locality links. He asked the Foreign Ministries of Vietnam and Australia to keep coordinating with relevant ministries and sectors to effectively carry out the reached agreements and signed documents while developing concrete joint projects and activities in order to further intensify cooperation, create a solid stepping stone for bilateral relations to reach a new height, and properly prepare for coming high-level mutual visits.

On August 22, Vietnamese leaders extended congratulations to their Cambodian counterparts on the occasion of the establishment of the 7th-tenure National Assembly (NA) and Government (2023-2028). Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory letter to Prime Minister Hun Manet, while National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent a letter of congratulations to National Assembly President Khuon Sodary. In the letters, the Vietnamese leaders expressed their belief that under the leadership of Prime Minister Hun Manet and NA President Khuon Sodary, Cambodia will reap greater achievements in building a country of peace, stability, development and prosperity, which plays an increasingly important role and position in the region and the world. On this occasion, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also sent a letter of congratulations to Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Sok Chenda Sophea.

On August 21, leaders of Vietnam sent messages of congratulations to Canadian leaders on the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (August 21, 1973 – 2023). President Vo Van Thuong sent a message of congratulations to Governor General Mary May Simon, and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended greetings to Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.Meanwhile, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue sent congratulatory messages to Speaker of the Senate Raymonde Gagné and Speaker of the House of Commons Anthony Rota. The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son extended congratulations to his Canadian counterpart Mélanie Joly.

From August 21-29, at the invitation of Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D’Hose paid an official visit to Vietnam, which is expected to forge economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, as well as their legislative ties. During her stay, Belgian Senate President D'Hose paid a courtesy call to President Vo Van Thuong, and had a meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. She held talks with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and had a working session with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. She also visited the central provinces of Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue, and Ho Chi Minh City, while touring some projects conducted under the cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Belgian Senate President Stephanie D’Hose in Hanoi, on August 21, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

Senate President Stéphanie D'Hose is the highest-ranking guest from Belgium that Vietnam has welcomed in 2023 when the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and five-year strategic partnership in agriculture. Both sides highly valued their countries’ cooperation and friendship, considered the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) as an achievement of economic cooperation between Vietnam and the EU, including Belgium. The State and people of Vietnam always attach great importance to relations with Belgium and are keen on lifting up bilateral ties to a new height. The visit is a chance for the two sides to discuss orientations and measures to strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation, including ties between the two legislatures. Vietnamese leaders asked the Belgian Senate to push for the Belgian Federal Parliament's early ratification of the EVIPA Agreement to create a favorable investment environment for businesses of the two countries. On August 29, President of the Belgian Senate Stéphanie D'Hose successfully concluded her nine-day visit to Vietnam.

Activities of the Foreign Minister

On August 24, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Yusuf Maitama Tuggaron on the occasion of his appointment as Nigeria's Foreign Minister.

On August 24, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Timothy Musa Kabbaon on the occasion of his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Sierra Leone.

On August 22, at the meeting with President of the Belgian Senate Stephanie D'Hose, Foreign Minister Son welcomed the Belgian leader’s visit at a time when Vietnam and Belgium are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and five years since the two countries established a strategic partnership in agriculture, saying that it is an important milestone in Vietnam-Belgium relations. The Foreign Minister affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to strengthening comprehensive cooperation with the European Union (EU), including Belgium.

On August 23, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son received Chief Representative of Japan’s Komeito party Yamaguchi Natsuo. Foreign Minister Son appreciated Komeito Party’s contributions to the Vietnam - Japan relations over the past years. He noted with satisfaction the sound, fast, and comprehensive of bilateral connections with high political trust, affirming that Vietnam always views Japan as a trustworthy and long-term partner of leading importance and supports Japan to bring into play its role in the region and the world. The Foreign Minister called on Yamaguchi and Komeito to continue supporting the elevation of the countries’ extensive strategic partnership to a new height; further strengthen political trust through all-level mutual visits, especially in 2023 when the diplomatic ties turn 50; and step up cooperation and exchanges between Komeito and the Communist Party of Vietnam, along with between the countries’ parliamentarians, particularly young and female ones.

On the morning of August 22, at the Headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and co-chaired the 5th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting. The two Foreign Ministers focused discussions on the implementation of the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern, and cooperation contents between their ministries. They expressed their delight at the strong and steady development of the relations between the two countries. Political ties are consolidated with increasing trust, and security and defense cooperation is more effective, especially in the field of United Nations peacekeeping.

On the morning of August 22, at the Headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son welcomed Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and co-chaired the 5th Vietnam - Australia Foreign Ministers' Meeting. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

On August 22, at the press conference, Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong affirmed that the partnership between Vietnam and Australia is grounded on friendship and strategic trust. In Hanoi, the Australian Foreign Minister told the press that the two countries want to maintain their practical cooperation and are working together to elevate the relationship to a comprehensive strategy partnership. Foreign Minister Wong stressed that the two countries share the wish for a peaceful, stable and prosperous region in which sovereignty is respected, and share the commitment to ASEAN centrality.

Bilateral activities

At the threshold of the official visit to Vietnam by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and Spouse from August 27-29, at his interview for the World and Vietnam Report, Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung affirmde that Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong’s visit will help consolidate and deepen the two countries’ strategic partnership for peace and stability in the region and the world.

On August 24, in Hanoi, the Canadian Embassy held a ceremony to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations (1973 - 2023), featuring cultural performances and an exhibition showcasing Canadian products in Vietnam. Attending the event were Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc, President of the Vietnam-Canada Association Tran Van Thuan, representatives of the diplomatic corps and many friends from Vietnam and Canada. At the ceremony, representing the Government of Vietnam, Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan affirmed that Vietnam highly values its relationship with Canada and wants the ties to be further strengthened in a friendly, cooperative, stable, long-lasting, and mutually beneficial manner, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. She said Vietnam welcomes Canada's increasing attention and positive contributions to the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions as well as recognition of ASEAN's centrality and Vietnam's role as a "bridge" and "gateway" in the region.

On August 23, in Hanoi, the Embassy of Uruguay in Vietnam celebrated the 198th National Day of the Eastern Republic of Uruguay (August 25, 1825 - 2023). Attending the ceremony were Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc, Ambassadors, representatives of diplomatic agencies and international organizations, and a large number of Uruguayans living in Vietnam.

On August 22, in Hanoi, Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Dang Quoc Khanh had a meeting with Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Steil to discuss cooperation possibilities in climate change response and related issues. Minister Khanh noted that Canadian partners have joined the Vietnamese Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) in developing fruitful relations in environmental and climate change issues, especially industrial pollution and environmental governance.

On August 21, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted an online meeting between relevant Vietnamese agencies and the Saudi Food and Drug Administration (SFDA) to strengthen specialized cooperation between the two countries in the Halal field.

On August 21, in an interview with The Word and Vietnam Report, Vietnamese Ambassador to Canberra Nguyen Tat Thanh stressed on the significance of the official visit by Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong to Vietnam, highlighting the unprecedented blizzard of bilateral foreign affairs activities since the beginning of 2023, which contribute to strengthening the strategic trust between Vietnam and Australia.

From Augus 22-25, implementing the plan for external affairs in 2023, the Communist Party of Vietnam delegation led by Nguyen Trong Nghia, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Central Committee's Commission for Information and Education visited Cuba. Secretary of the Party Central Committee Nguyen Trong Nghia held talks with Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and Head of its Ideological Department Rogelio Polanco Fuentes in Havana to seek measures for stronger bilateral cooperation in ideological and communications affairs.

Secretary of the Party Central Committee Nghia briefed the Cuban host on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation, the goals and strategy for national future development following the directions given at the 13th National Party Congress, as well as the studying and following of President Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, moral example and lifestyle in line with the building and rectification of the Party, and the prevention of political ideology downgrading, “self-evolution” and “self-transformation”.

Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of its Commission for Information and Education Nguyen Trong Nghia (left, front) and Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee and Head of its Ideological Department Rogelio Polanco Fuente (right, front) sign a cooperation programme between the two sides. (Photo: VNA)

From August 21-24, the delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam led by Pham Tat Thang, member of the Party Central Committee, Deputy Head of the Standing Committee's Commission for Mass Mobilization, paid a working visit to Iran.

On August 25, in Hanoi, Politburo member and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang hosted a reception for Li Zhiyong, Chairman of China's National Research Committee for Party building. Highlighting the importance of Party building and State governance both in theory and practice, Thang suggested enhancing the sharing of experience, promoting cooperation and exchange of experts in this field between the two sides, considering it a significant contribution to socialism construction in each country.

Multilateral activities

From August 22-23, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the High-Level Euro-Asia Regional Review Meeting of the Vienna Programme of Action for Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) which opened in Bangkok. Vietnam, as a developing transit country, has taken a lot of actions within regional, sub-regional and bilateral frameworks to assist landlocked developing countries, Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh said on August 22. Accordingly, Vietnam has actively implemented many projects and programmes such as the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) connecting Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar; and promoted cooperation in the Mekong sub-region. Vietnam also actively joins efforts to strengthen ASEAN connectivity and other bilateral plans such as “One border – One pillar” with Laos.

The Director General of the World Health Organisation (WHO), Tedros Adhanom, has announced five candidates for the position of WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific for the term 2024-2029, with a candidate from Vietnam - Associate Professor Dr Tran Thi Giang Huong. Previously, Vietnamese Minister of Health Dao Hong Lan officially sent a letter to the WHO Director-General nominating Dr. Huong for the position. This is the first time that Vietnam has a candidate for this important position of WHO.

Other activities

On August 25, the Press and Information Department, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs coordinated with the Department of Foreign Affairs of Phu Tho province to organize a field trip for foreign journalists and Press Attaches to learn about the investment environment and development potential in Phu Tho province.

TIN LIÊN QUAN
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