Review on external affairs from Jan. 9-15: Prime Minister’sussessful visit to Laos; conference of diplomatic sector; Homeland Spring 2023
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from January 9-15 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| President Nguyen Xuan Phuc beat the drum to kick off the 2023 Homeland Spring. (Photo: WVR/Quang Hoa) |
Leaders’ activities
On January 14, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc beat the drum to kick off the 2023 “Xuan Que Huong” (Homeland Spring), the biggest annual event for overseas Vietnamese (OV) on the occasion of the (Tet) Lunar New Year festival, at an special art programme in Hanoi. The President hailed OVs for their material and spiritual contributions to national construction and defence, saying they raised tens of billions of Vietnam dong in support of the COVID-19 fight as well as victims of natural disasters at home.
On January 13, at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for 25 international guests from 15 countries who came to Vietnam for the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Paris Agreement on Ending the War and Restoring Peace in Vietnam (Paris Peace Accords). The President stressed that the Paris Agreement, signed on January 27, 1973, was a turning point in the cause of national reunification, and affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always keep in mind the valuable support of international friends in the hardest time of the struggle.
On January 12, receiving Mr. Hanazumi Hideyo, Governor of Niigata Province (Japan), President Nguyen Xuan Phuc highly appreciated the extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan.
On January 12, Vietnam supports and will contribute to the Global South for a world of fairness, openness, prosperity and happiness, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc said in his remarks delivered virtually at the opening of the Voice of Global South Summit.
Initiated and chaired by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the event was one of the first activities within the framework of India’s G20 Presidency with an aim to integrate views and stances of developing countries into the G20 agenda, thereby promoting global solidarity and building a common voice in addressing pressing challenges as well as fulfilling sustainable development goals. Themed “Unity of Voice, Unity of Purpose”, the event saw the attendance of Heads of State and Government leaders of Mozambique, Senegal, Guyana, Uzbekistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea and Thailand.
On January 9, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc was pleased to welcome former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide on the occasion of the New Year 2023, a special year marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The President also thanked Suga Yoshihide for his contributions to promoting the bilateral ties in his capacity as Japanese Prime Minister in the past and as an Advisor to the Japan-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance at present.
On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for former Japanese Prime Minister Suga Yoshihide. The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always supports Japan’s role and positive contributions to peace and development in the region and the world, expressing his hope that Japan will continue such contributions.
On January 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for a delegation of overseas Vietnamese (OV) who are in Vietnam for the "Xuan Que huong" (Homeland Spring) 2023. The Prime Minister called for their engagement in the Government’s efforts to bring Vietnam closer to the world.
On the same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for Aurélia Nguyen, Chief Programme Strategy Officer at the Global Alliance for Vaccines and Immunisation (GAVI) and former Managing Director of COVAX Facility. The PM said he is glad to see Nguyen in Vietnam when she returned home to attend Xuan Que Huong (Homeland Spring) programme as a French of Vietnamese origin.
On January 13, receiving Japanese Minister of Finance Suzuki Shunichi who was visiting Vietnam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam has and will continue to encourage and create favorable conditions for Japanese businesses to make efficient production and business in Vietnam.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh successfully concluded his official visit to Lao PDR and co-chaired the 45th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone from January 11-12. (Photo: VNA) |
On January 12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh successfully concluded his official visit to Lao PDR and co-chaired the 45th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, at the invitation of Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone from January 11-12.
With a busy schedule of nearly 20 activities in about 30 hours, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh held talks with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone; greeting General Secretary, President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith; meeting with the Chairman of the National Assembly of Laos; received the President of the Laos - Vietnam-Friendship Association; visiting former senior leaders of the Lao Party and State; co-chaired the closing ceremony for "The Year of Solidarity and Friendship between Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam 2022"; co-chaired the 45th session of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee; attended the Vietnam-Laos Investment Conference. Leaders of ministries, branches and localities also have activities with Lao partners to exchange specific cooperation contents.
On January 10, in Hanoi, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 2022 Conference of diplomatic sector to summarize the work of the diplomatic sector in 2022, implement orientations and tasks in 2023, held in hybrid format with 64 provinces and centrally-run cities and 94 Vietnamese representative missions abroad. The focal task of the diplomatic sector is to serve sustainable and self-reliant national development and to guarantee national interests at the highest possible level, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the 2022 Conference of diplomatic sector in Hanoi, on January 10, 2023. (Photo: Tuan Anh) |
On January 10, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for Deputy Managing Director of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) in charge of the Asia-Pacific Antoinette Sayeh, who was on her first working visit to Vietnam.
On January 9, on the occasion of the traditional Lunar New Year 2023, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Spouse hosted a banquet in honour of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi.
On January 9, Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue expressed his hope that Vietnam and Australia will expand cooperation in energy transition during his reception for Treasurer of Australia’s Victoria state Tim Pallas.
On January 13, at the Conference to summarize the work in 2022 and deploy the tasks in 2023 of the Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Poliburo memember, Standing member of the Committee of the Secretariat Vo Van Thuong highly appreciated and praised the achievements in 2022 by the Commission for External Relations, making a very important contribution to the implementation of the foreign policy goals of the 13th Party Congress.
On January 13, in Hanoi, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai received President of the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Samsung Electronics Park Hark Kyu and suggested that the Korean firm expand its investment in Vietnam to tap opportunities from the sound partnership between the two countries in all fields. Deputy Prime Minister Khai also highly valued Samsung’s launching of Southeast Asia’s largest R&D centre in Hanoi in December 2022. Highlighting that Vietnam is prioritising the attraction of projects with high technologies, innovation and widespread effects, he stressed that the Vietnamese Government always creates optimal conditions for foreign investors to operate in the country in a long term.
Activities of the Foreign Minister
On January 14, speaking at the opening of the 2023 Homeland Spring Art program, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that the annual program has become a special meaningful event dedicated to overseas Vietnamese, showing the special attention of the Party and State leaders and compatriots throughout the country for the people living abroad.
On January 13, in Hanoi, sharing at the "ASEAN and Friends" program, Minister Bui Thanh Son said that ASEAN has brought its members closer together.
Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son gave an interview on the outcomes of the Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit and co-chairing the 45th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee of from January 11-12. The official visit to Laos by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is a success, contributing to realising diplomatic policy set by the 13th National Party Congress which advocates valuing the development of ties with neighbouring and ASEAN countries, with the top priority given to Laos, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son stressed.
Bilateral activities
On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's official visit to Laos and co-chairing the 45th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee from January 11-12, Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung had an article on the special relationship between the two countries.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s just-concluded visit to Laos brings fresh air into the Vietnam-Laos relations, contributing to deepening their special friendship and comprehensive cooperation, Chairman of the Laos - Vietnam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara in Vientiane said.
On January 13, Carrefour Group and the Embassy of Vietnam, Vietnam Trade Office in France, T&T Food Co., Ltd cooperated to organize the opening ceremony of Vietnamese booth to welcome Spring at Lyon-Part Dieu supermarket, opening the series of events to promote Vietnamese products at Carrefour supermarket chain in 2023.
On January 13, receiving Dr. Kari Johnstone, Deputy Director of the Office to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons (J/TIP) of the US Department of State, Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu welcomed the visit and working session of the J/TIP Office in Vietnam. The Deputy Minister said that this is an opportunity to create a mechanism for the two sides to discuss the situation and efforts to prevent and combat human trafficking in Vietnam as well as strengthen cooperation between the two sides in this field.
On January 13, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet received US Permanent Representative to the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) Ambassador Michèle Taylor. Ambassador Michele Taylor affirmed that Vietnam is always an important partner of the US, saying the bilateral comprehensive partnership is growing fruitfully; expressed her hope to contribute to enhancing the relationship in the time ahead, covering cooperation at multilateral forums like the UNHRC. Highlighting the coordination between the two countries at the UNHRC, the Deputy Foreign Minister suggested the US back Vietnam’s initiatives and priorities at the council, particularly those on vulnerable groups, non-discrimination, gender equality, human rights, climate change response and digital transformation.
On January 13, within the framework of a working visit to Tianjin city, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Sao Mai had a meeting with with Chen Miner, member of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and Secretary of the Tianjin municipal Party Committee. Ambassador Mai highly valued Tianjin's important position in the bilateral cooperation, suggesting the two sides expand cooperation in the fields of economy - trade, investment, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.
On January 9, on behalf of the Prime Minister, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet presented a token of 100,000 USD as a gift from the Vietnamese Government and people to Pakistan to help address typhoon aftermaths in 2022.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet presented a token of 100,000 USD as a gift from the Vietnamese Government and people to Pakistani Ambassador to Vietnam. (Photo: WVR) |
Multilateral activities
On January 12, the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) held the first open debate session of 2023 with the theme "The promotion and strengthening of the rule of law in the maintenance of international peace and security". The ministerial-level event was attended by nearly 80 UN member countries. Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has affirmed that international law is the foundation of modern international order and world peace in his remarks. The Vietnamese representative said states, large or small, are responsible for complying with the UN Charter and fundamental principles of international law, including respecting the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of states, refraining from using or threatening to use force, peacefully settling disputes, and fulfilling international obligations in good faith. He called on the council and its members to take the lead in ensuring respect for the UN Charter and the rule of law and seeking peaceful measures to all disputes.
On January 9, in Hanoi, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), as the national coordinating agency for ASEAN, chaired an inter-sectoral meeting to review ASEAN cooperation and Vietnam’s participation in ASEAN activities in 2022, and set up orientations for the year 2023, with the participation of a large number of representatives of ministries and sectors participating in ASEAN cooperation.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On January 12, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang informed Vietnam's reaction to the information about China's reopening after the Covid-19 epidemic; UK human trafficking case; Vietnam's reaction to the ruling of the Philippine Supreme Court on January 10.
Other activities
On January 13, in Hanoi, the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) held a "Friendship meeting with the Paris Agreement of 1973 - Reviewing the past, looking to the future". The event was held on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Paris Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Vietnam (January 27, 1973 - 2023). This is considered a great victory not only of the Vietnamese people but also of the peace-loving people around the world.
On January 10, in Hanoi, VUFO held a friendship meeting with the Diplomatic Corps, international organizations and foreign non-governmental organizations on the occasion of the Lunar New Year of the year 2023.
Celebrating the Lunar New Year of the Cat, last week, many Vietnamese representative missions abroad organized the celebration of "Happy Tet Community, Homeland Spring" with the participation of a large number of Vietnamese community and international friends.
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