Review on external affairs from August 22-28: 77th anniversary of establishment of Diplomatic sector; Issuing Directive on economic diplomacy
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from August 22-28 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| President Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the occasion of the 77th Anniversary of the establishment of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (August 28, 1945-2022). (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh) |
Leaders’ activities
On August 25, at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong had a phone conversation with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. General Secretary Trong proposed the two countries enhance mutual understanding and political trust through high-level meetings and exchanges, and heighten Party-to-Party relations, which is the political foundation for bilateral ties. He also hoped for stronger ties between the two governments, legislative bodies and local administrations, and better promotion of people-to-people exchanges.
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| Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong holds phone talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo. (Photo: VNA) |
Recently, the Secretariat the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam has issued Directive No. 15-CT/TW, dated August 10, 2022 on economic diplomacy for the development of the country until 2030. The directive sets out a number of key directions and tasks, such as: (i) Continue to expand and deepen relations and create opportunities to interweave economic benefits with other partners; (ii) Closely linking political and external relations with economic, defense, security, culture, education and science-technology cooperation; (iii) Raise the level of multilateral diplomacy, to promote Vietnam's role and initiatives in international economic mechanisms and forums; (iv) Improve the quality and efficiency of international economic integration, contributing to the implementation of the 2021-2030 socio-economic development strategy.
On August 23, on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945-2022), at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a cordial meeting with representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on the implementation of foreign policy in the spirit of the Resolution of the 13th Party Congress.
President Nguyen Xuan Phuc praised the diplomatic sector for its great contributions to national construction and defence. The President emphasised that in the complicated and unpredictable external environment, the diplomatic sector has closely followed the Party's guidelines and the direction of General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the National Conference on Foreign Affairs in December last year, and coordinated with the defence and security sectors to safeguard the sovereignty and territorial integrity of the country, and properly handle border and territorial issues. It has also worked well in promoting dialogues, negotiations and cooperation to solve relevant disputes on the basis of international law, he stressed.
On August 25, at the Presidential Palace, receiving Mr. Choi Young-joo, former President of the the Republic of Korea (RoK)-Vietnam Friendship Association, Chairman of the Korean Panko Group, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his hope that Panko Group will contribute to lifting two-way trade between the two countries to 100 billion USD in the coming time.
On August 24, at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received a delegation of the Youth Division of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan led by Suzuki Norikaru, member of the House of Representatives and Sato Kei, member of the House of Councillors, who are Acting Heads of the Youth Division. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Japan diplomatic ties next year, Vietnam wished to welcome the Emperor, Empress and senior leaders of Japan.
Previously, on August 23, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception for the delegation from the Youth Division of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) of Japan.
On August 22 at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for Lao Prosecutor General Xayxana Khotphouthone, who was in Vietnam for the 7th Conference of People's Procuracies of provinces sharing the Vietnam - Laos border.
On August 23, at the Government headquarters, while receiving the Canadian Ambassador, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his wish that, during his tenure, Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Perry Steil will make active contributions to Vietnam – Canada comprehensive partnership, especially in the context of the fifth anniversary of their bilateral comprehensive partnership and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
On August 25, at the meeting with new Canadian Ambassador to Vietnam Shawn Perry Steil, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his belief that relations between the two countries, including the two parliaments, will continue to flourish during the Ambassador’s term. Chairman Hue highlighted the progress made in the Vietnam - Canada comprehensive partnership as seen in mutual visits and meetings on the sidelines of international conferences, along with the vigorous growth in bilateral trade.
On August 22, at the Government headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Lao Justice Minister Phayvy Siboualypha leading a delegation of the Ministry of Justice of Laos to visit Vietnam. The Prime Minister pledged to step up cooperation in personnel training and the exchange of experience in improving institutions and building a rule-of-law socialist state.
On August 25, at the National Assembly, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E.Knapper. The National Assembly leader said the US is one of the most important partners of Vietnam, not only bilaterally, but also regionally and globally. He affirmed that Vietnam wants to promote relations with the US via all channels, from political party, government and parliament to people-to-people exchanges.
On August 24, Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his delight at the development of ties between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK) during a reception for President of the RoK-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group Kim Tae-nyeon.
On August 23, at a reception for JICA Executive Senior Vice President Junichi Yamada, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said he supports Vietnamese agencies and the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to hold regular meetings, seeking solutions to obstacles to ODA projects in Vietnam. The Permanent Deputy Prime Minister noted with pleasure the strong developments of the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia. Japan is always Vietnam’s leading strategic partner in ODA, accounting for 30% of the about 29.3 billion USD committed by foreign investors to Vietnam, he continued.
On August 26, during a reception in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam hailed outgoing United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Resident Representative Caitlin Wiesen for her initiatives and contributions to supporting Vietnam in promoting socio-economic development and international integration.
On August 24, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga presented the insignia “For Peace, Friendship among Nations” to UNDP Resident Representative in Vietnam Caitlin Wiesen.
On August 22, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a message of sympathy to President Abdelmadjid Tebboune of Algeria over huge losses in human lives and assets caused by serious forest fires in some Algerian northeastern provinces recently.
Activities of the Foreign Affairs Minister
On the occasion of the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the Diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945- 2022), Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son wrote an article titled “ 77 years of Vietnamese diplomacy: Devoted to serving the Fatherland, serving the people”, to review the traditional and glorious historical journey of the sector. In his article, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son stated that over the past 77 years, under the leadership of the Party, the diplomatic sector has continuously developed in a comprehensive and strong manner, making important contributions to the national revolution. At the same time, the Foreign Minister sent a congratulatory letter to senior diplomats and all cadres, civil servants, officials and employees in the diplomatic sector.
On August 24, as part of the Diplomatic sector's founding anniversary, a delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs led by Member of the Party Central Committee, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son visited and offered incense at the National Monuments Area, especially Tan Trao and the historic site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tuyen Quang province. On the same day, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son had a working session with the Provincial Party Committee and People's Committee of Tuyen Quang province.
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| Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son visited the historic site of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Tuyen Quang province. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh) |
On August 23, at the Headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son received Mr. Kato Hiroki, representative of the leaders of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Association in Sakai City, Japan and representatives of the family of the late President of the association Kato Hitoshi. The Foreign Minister highly appreciated the sentiments and contributions of the late President Hitoshi, as well as the practical and important efforts and contributions of the Japan - Vietnam Friendship Association in Sakai City over the years in promoting people-to-people exchanges, strengthening economic and cultural cooperation with Vietnam.
Bilateral activities
From August 23-25, at the invitation of Ms. Alouny Kommasith, Spouse of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister, Honorary President of the Women's Union of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Laos, Ms. Vu Thi Bich Ngoc, Spouse of the Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Honorary Chairwoman of the ASEAN Community Women's Group in Hanoi, led a delegation of female officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam to participate in the annual exchange program between the Women's Affairs Committees of the two Foreign Ministries in Vientiane.
During the week, many Vietnamese representative missions abroad celebrated the 77th anniversary of the National Day and the 77th anniversary of the establishment of the diplomatic sector.
On August 26, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Vietnam Park Noh Wan shared his thoughts with the World and Vietnam Report (WVR) on the occasion of the 77th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day (September 2, 1945-2022) and the establishment of Vietnam's Diplomatic sector (August 28, 1945-2022) on bilateral relations. Based on the dynamic development of the RoK-Vietnam relationship, Ambassador Park Noh Wan expressed his hope that the relationship between Korea and Vietnam will be elevated to a Comprehensive Strategic Cooperation Partnership this year.
Multilateral activities
On August 27 (Hanoi time), the fifth session of the inter-governmental conference on an international legally binding instrument under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond national jurisdiction (BBNJ) concluded after two weeks of sitting. The Vietnamese delegation, led by Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, gave substantial proposals and contributions to the draft BBNJ instrument as well as the negotiations on issues that directly relate to Vietnam's rights and interests at sea.
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| The 5th negotiation session of the Intergovernmental Conference on the development of international legal documents within the framework of the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS) concluded on August 27, 2022. (Photo: WVR) |
Earlier, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang met with UN Assistant Secretary-General, Secretary-General's Special Adviser on Climate Action Selwin Hart; Dr. Kanni Wignaraja, Assistant Secretary-General, Regional Director for Asia and the Pacific of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP).
On August 26, the 10th Conference to review the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) ended after nearly 4 weeks of urgent work at the United Nations headquarters, New York (USA). The Vietnamese delegation had many active activities at the Conference.
On August 23, the ASEAN Committee in Doha (ACD) celebrated the 55th founding anniversary of ASEAN (August 8, 1967- 2022) in Qatar.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
On the afternoon of August 25, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang asked the World Meteorological Organization to remove the map of China showing the “nine-dash” line, reiterated that Vietnam rejects the so-called “nine-dash line” and maritime claims that run counter to international laws, particularly the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
The Spokesperson also reaffirmed that authorities have been working to protect Vietnamese citizens tricked to work illegally in Cambodia and provided updates on the protection of Vietnamese citizens in Vietnamese fishing boat with 42 fishermen detained by the Malaysian side.
Other activities
On August 25, the conference to review experience of taking part in UN peacekeeping operations and announce the decision on the establishment of Level 2 Field Hospital No 5 took place in Hanoi, with the online participation from Ho Chi Minh City. According to Major General Hoang Kim Phung, Director of the Vietnam Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Vietnam has successfully deployed 512 officers and soldiers to South Sudan, Central African Republic, Abyei and UN headquarters since it officially joined UN peacekeeping forces in 2014.
On August 25, the Department of Foreign Affairs of Ho Chi Minh City organized the program “Connecting Vietnam-Laos-Cambodia youth in 2022” on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Laos, the 45th anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cambodia
On August 22, the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Diplomatic corps and industry associations from more than 20 countries visited Hung Yen for an experimental event and a friendly gathering hosted by local authorities to promote the northern province’s culture and signature fruit – longan.
(Source: WVR)
