Review on external affairs from July 18-24: 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties, FM’s visit to Indonesia
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from July 18-24 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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Leaders’ activities
On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations (September 5, 1962 – 2022) and the 45th year of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (July 18, 1977 – 2022), Vietnamese and Lao leaders have exchanged messages of congratulations.
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| Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong addresses the ceremony to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation. (Photo: Nguyen Hong) |
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent congratulatory messages to General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
On the morning of July 18, a ceremony was held in Hanoi to celebrate the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Amity and Cooperation (TAC). Most notably, the event featured the participation of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, along with Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany.
The speech of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong at the Hanoi meeting on July 18 marking the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relationship and 45 years of the TAC signing won applause from Lao officials, scholars and people.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong underlined that the Vietnam-Laos relationship, founded by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane and President Souphanouvong and nurtured by generations of soldiers and people of both countries, has become a priceless asset and a unique relationship in the world history. At the event, General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith also delivered a speech.
On July 18, receiving Politburo member, Permanent Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and Lao Vice President Bounthong Chitmany in Hanoi, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that Vietnam always treasures and gives top priority to its special relationship with Laos, has always given strong, comprehensive support for the cause of reform of Laos.
On the afternoon of July 18, at the International Convention Center in Hanoi, a ceremony was held to award a number of senior leaders of the Vietnamese Party and State with medals: the National Gold Medal and first-class Freedom Order (Issara), conferred by the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (LPDR) on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.
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| President Nguyen Xuan Phuc witnessed the awarding ceremony. (Photo: VNA) |
On July 19, at a meeting with World Bank (WB) Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg in Hanoi, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the World Bank to continue helping the country make the Vietnam 2045 report with a long-term development vision, especially amid the changing international and regional situation, the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts and Vietnam’s development goals by 2030 and 2045.
On July 18, receiving Mr. Axel van Trotsenburg, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always considers the World Bank a good friend and an important development partner.
On July 19, while hosting WB Managing Director of Operations Axel van Trotsenburg in Hanoi, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue highly appreciated his visit to Vietnam and affirmed that the World Bank has always been a very important and reliable partner of Vietnam.
On July 19, at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc received the outgoing Ambassador of Oman Saleh Mohamed Ahmed Al Saqri and Ambassador of the Czech Republic Vitezslav Grepl.
On July 22, at the Government Headquarters, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Maeda Tadashi. The Prime Minister highlighted the strong growth of Vietnam-Japan relations, noting that Japan has been the leading economic partner of Vietnam, the largest ODA provider, the second biggest labour export market, the third largest investor and the fourth biggest trade partner of Vietnam.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hopes Japan and JBIC will continue to coordinate with Vietnamese agencies to seek more effective collaboration methods to further beef up the Vietnam-Japan Extensive Strategic Partnership in the new period, moving towards the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations in 2023.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) welcomes Governor of Japan Bank for International Cooperation Maeda Tadashi. (Photo: VNA) |
Receiving Bounthong Chitmany, Politburo member, Permanent Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Vice President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic and a high-level delegation of the Lao Party and State on the official visit to Vietnam, at their meeting on July 17, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed the Vietnamese Party, State and people always value and are determined to foster the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Laos.
On July 18, at their meeting, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested Vietnam and Laos further coordinate to seek solutions to bring economic cooperation on par with their special political ties. On July 19, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Vice President of Laos Bounthong Chitmany affirmed that the Vietnam-Laos relationship is a valuable asset, an objective rule and a factor of vital significance to ensure the success of the revolution in each country.
On July 20, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received Vice President of the Lao National Assembly and Chairwoman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group Sounthone Xayachack on her first visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the TAC signing.
On the evening of July 18, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held an online talks with President of the Mexican Senate Olga Sanchez Cordero. At the talks, the two parliamentary leaders applauded the encouraging outcomes in their countries’ relations in the recent past, as the two countries have just celebrated the 47th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1975-2022). Chairman of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed Vietnam’s wish to enhance traditional ties with Mexico via the Party, governmental, parliamentary and people-to-people channels.
On July 21, at the headquarters of the Party Central Committee, Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Organising Commission received Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Maeda Tadashi.
Truong Thi Mai, who also is President of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group, said she was happy to see the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership growing in various areas for peace and prosperity in Asia.
On July 18, Truong Thi Mai, Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and head of its Organisation Commission, held online talks with Chen Xi, Politburo member, member of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee Secretariat, Head of its Organisation Department, and Rector of the CPC’s Central Party School.
Regarding the relationship between the two Parties and countries, Truong Thi Mai appreciated the positive developments in Vietnam - China relations over the past and suggested the two sides continue to strengthen political trust, maintain high-level exchanges and contacts; promote substantive and mutually beneficial cooperation, especially in the fields of economics, trade and investment; and work together to maintain a peaceful and stable environment.
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| Photos featuring Vietnam’s beauty on display in Laos. (Photo: VNA) |
From July 17 to 19, a high-ranking delegation of the Party and State of Vietnam led by Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat, had a visit to Laos to attend the celebrations of the 60th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations and the 45th year of the TAC singing.
On July 17, in Vientiane, the Vietnamese officials were received separately by General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh and President of the Lao National Assembly Xaysomphone Phomvihane.
On July 19, before the delegation returned home, Head of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung gave an interview to the Vietnamese press about an important milestone in Vietnam-Laos relations, stressing that both Vietnam and Laos treasure their traditional comradeship and fraternity. These days, the people of Vietnam and Laos are living in an atmosphere of pride on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and 45 years of the TAC signing.
The Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has sent a message of condolences to the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee over the death of one of the PCC founders, José Ramón Balaguer Cabrera, who was also a former member of the Politburo, former Secretary and former Head of the Commission for External Affairs of the PCC Central Committee.
Activities of the Foreign Affairs Minister
On July 20, on the occasion of his official visit to Indonesia and co-chairing the 4th meeting of the Vietnam-Indonesia Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-4), Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a courtesy visit to President Joko Widodo at the Indonesian Presidential Palace.
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| Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a courtesy visit to President Joko Widodo at the Indonesian Presidential Palace on July 20. (Photo: VNA) |
Foreign Minister Son conveyed Vietnamese leaders’ greetings to President Widodo, reaffirming Vietnam’s consistent view that it always attaches importance to and wishes to further develop the strategic partnership with Indonesia. Vietnam also expressed confidence that Indonesia will successfully fulfil the presidency of the G20, implement the "Indonesia Vision 2045" and become a developed country by the 100th anniversary of its independence in 2045.
President Widodo welcomed the official visit of Foreign Minister Son for the JCBC meeting, which he said demonstrates the two countries’ determination to promote Vietnam-Indonesia strategic partnership, especially when the two sides are set to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of this partnership in 2023.
On July 20, within the framework of his official visit to Indonesia, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi co-chaired the fourth meeting of the Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC-4) in Jakarta, Indonesia.
The two sides agreed on the assessment that the relationship between Vietnam and Indonesia is deepening effectively, especially since the establishment of the strategic partnership in 2013. Despite COVID-19 impacts, the two sides flexibly maintained high-level contacts and exchanges, face-to-face and online, contributing to increasing trust and political ties. Bilateral economic and trade cooperation has grown tremendously.
The two sides agreed to enhance their coordination and mutual support within ASEAN, the United Nations (UN) and other regional and international mechanisms. They also reiterated their support for maintaining solidarity and the principles reached by ASEAN regarding the East Sea issue in line with international law and the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
On July 20, Antara News Agency and many major Indonesian newspapers such as Republika, Kompas, Tempo highlighted the main activities of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's official visit to Indonesia.
On the morning of July 19, at their meeting at the headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son told visiting Azerbaijan Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov that Vietnam and Azerbaijan have potential to boost cooperation in various fields, particularly in the economy, trade and investment.
Bilateral activities
On the afternoon of July 22, at the headquarters of the Embassy of Vietnam in Russia, the Embassy of Vietnam in Russia and the Embassy of Laos in Russia held a friendship exchange on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the 45th anniversary of the TAC signing, as well as the Year of Solidarity and Friendship between Vietnam and Laos.
On July 21, the Vietnamese Embassy in Tanzania, in coordination with the Tanzania Investment Center (TIC), the Institute for Middle East-Africa Studies (IAMES) and Vietnam-Africa Economic Alliance (VAECA), co-organized the Vietnam-Tanzania Investment Forum in the form of direct and online combination.
On the occasion of the Year of Solidarity and Friendship 2022, the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of the TAC signing, Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Sengphet Houngboungnuang wrote an article to World & Vietnam Report, highlighting the Vietnam-Laos special friendship, which is a valuable asset, a rule for existence and development of both countries and a decisive factor for the success of the revolution in each nation.
Also on this occasion, Mr. Khamvisan Keosouvan, Assistant Head of the Propaganda Department of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party had a meaningful article about the special friendship between the two countries, which was introduced on Lao People's Army Radio.
Sharing with the World & Vietnam Report (WVR) on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Austria and Vietnam (December 1, 1972 - 2022), Ambassador Hans Peter Glanzer strongly believes in the potential of cooperation between the two countries. He highly appreciated Vietnam's role in ASEAN as well as its contributions to the region and the world.
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| Ambassador of Austria Hans-Peter Glanzer to Vietnam. (Photo: Austria's Embassy in Vietnam) |
Multilateral activities
On July 19, at the request of the Department of Peacekeeping Operations, Ministry of National Defense, the Vietnamese Mission to the United Nations solemnly held a ceremony to award the rank of Colonel to officer Luong Truong Vinh and the rank of Lieutenant Colonel to officer Nguyen Phuc Dong, who are working at the Department of Peace Operations, UN Headquarters.
On July 19, during a working session with Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to the European Union (EU) Nguyen Van Thao, EU Commissioner for Agriculture Janusz Wojciechowski suggested that the EU and Vietnam need to continue working closely to promote comprehensive agricultural cooperation, especially sustainable agricultural development and collaboration in solving emerging global challenges such as supply chain disruption and food security.
Foreign Ministry Spokesperson
On the afternoon of July 21, at the regular press conference of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang emphasized Vietnam’s resolute objection to actions that violate Vietnam's sovereignty in the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagoes; stressed that the US State Department’s 2022 Trafficking in Persons (TIP) Report contains incorrect information that fails to fully and accurately reflect the situation in Viet Nam; reviewed the 27-year journey since Vietnam became an official member of ASEAN on July 28, 1995, affirming that Vietnam's admission to the bloc marked an important milestone in the country's extensive regional and international integration; updated the situation of Vietnamese community in Sri Lanka; information about the case of 2 Vietnamese citizens detained in Spain.
Other activities
On July 20, in Hanoi, the Standing Commission of the Central Committee of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (CSC) received more than 100 young overseas Vietnamese from 26 countries around the world to attend the Vietnam Summer Camp 2022.
On July 19, at the Diplomatic Academy, a conference entitled "30 years of Vietnam- Azerbaijan relations: History and Future perspectives”, dedicated to the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, was jointly organized by the Diplomatic Academy and the Embassy of Azerbaijan in Vietnam.
The event aims to enhance understanding of the history and foreign orientation between the two countries. Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc and Azerbaijani Deputy Foreign Minister Elnur Mammadov attended and delivered opening remarks at the Workshop.
Attending also were the Ambassador of Azerbaijan to Vietnam, leaders of the Diplomatic Academy, experts on Vietnam-Azerbaijan relations. They also witnessed the signing of a cooperative agreement between the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam and the ADA University of Azerbaijan.
On July 18, to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Ukraine, at the Children's Book Library in Kiev city, the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine, in collaboration with competent Ukrainian agencies, organised a book introduction ceremony to showcase the most popular poem by Vietnamese blind poet Nguyen Dinh Chieu, the tale of Luc Van Tien (The Tale of Luc Van Tien), which was translated into Ukrainian.
(WVR)
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