Review on external affairs from July 24-30: President’s visits to Austria, Italy, Vatican; new development of ties with Egypt, Israel

Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from July 24-30 by The World and Vietnam Report: On July 29, President Vo Van Thuong, his Spouse and high-ranking delegation of Vietnam successfully concluded an official visit to Austria from 23-25, a state visit to Italy and a visit to the Vatican from July 25-28. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

Leaders’ activities

On July 26, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Vo Van Thuong sent messages of congratulations to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and President of Cuba Miguel Díaz-Canel Bermúdez on the 70th anniversary of the Attack on Moncada Barracks (July 26, 1953-2022).

The same day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended his greetings to his Cuban counterpart Manuel Marrero Cruz and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue cabled a congratulatory message to President of the National Assembly of People's Power of Cuba Esteban Lazo Hernández. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent his greetings to his Cuban counterpart Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla.

On July 25, General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong sent a letter of congratulations to President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) and Prime Minister of Cambodia Samdech Techo Hun Sen on the successful 7th National Assembly (NA) election held on July 23, 2023. Meanwhile, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh talked over the phone with Cambodian Prime Minister to offer congratulations. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue extended congratulations to President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin.

The Vietnamese leaders expressed their belief that Cambodia will soon set up a new National Assembly and a new Government to continue leading the Cambodian people on the path of developing a peaceful, stable, and prosperous country that has a growing role and stature in the region and the world at large.

On this occasion, Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Le Hoai Trung and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also offered congratulations to Chairman of the CPP Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Cambodia Prak Sokhonn.

On July 29, President Vo Van Thuong, his Spouse and high-ranking delegation of Vietnam successfully concluded an official visit to Austria from 23-25, a state visit to Italy and a visit to the Vatican from July 25-28. During the trip, the President and the delegation conducted about 50 activities, achieved many specific and comprehensive results in all aspects. Notably, President Vo Van Thuong held talks with Austrian President Alexander Van der Bellen, Italian President Sergio Mattarella, had meetings with Pope Francis and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of Vatican. On this occasion, President Thuong met with representatives of the Vietnamese communities in Austria, Italy and Europe.

On July 26 afternoon (local time), in Rome, President Vo Van Thuong and Italian President Sergio Mattarella co-chaired a press conference to inform the outcomes of their talks earlier. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong)

On the occasion of President Vo Van Thuong’s State visit to Italy, Vietnam and Italy have issued a Joint Statement on strengthening their bilateral strategic partnership.

On the occasion of the visit by President Vo Van Thuong to the Vatican on July 27, 2023, on the basis of the 10th Session of the Joint Working Group between Vietnam and the Holy See on March 31, 2023 in the Vatican, the two sides officially announce that the Government of Vietnam and the Holy See concluded the “Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam”.

President Vo Van Thuong and Pope Francis at the meeting in the Vatican on July 27, 2023. (Photo: WVR)

On July 26, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister and Executive Chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI). Prime Minister Chinh expressed his hope that his guest will maintain contributions so as to help deepen the two countries’ relations in all fields, especially as they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations. He congratulated the UK on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), affirming Vietnam's support and willingness to actively coordinate with the country to promote the effective and efficient implementation of the trade deal.

On July 24, receiving General Director of Laos News Agency (KPL) Khampheuy Philapha and the KPL delegation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his belief that Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Lao News Agency will effectively carry out their cooperation agreements, maintaining their role as the leading press agencies of Vietnam and Laos, thus contributing to strengthening the great relationship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He highly appreciated the traditional friendship and close cooperation between the two news agencies over the past 50 years.

On July 27, receiving Mr. Maeda Tadashi, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) and Special Advisor to the Cabinet of Japan, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that the two water has a lot of potential in developing biomass electricity; cooperate in converting energy production plants from coal to biomass fuel according to a certain roadmap; cooperation in the supply chain of projects related to gas energy; cooperate and coordinate in developing wind power and solar power suitable to climate change in Vietnam and Asia. On the same day, Politburo member and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Tran Tuan Anh had a meeting with Mr. Maeda Tadashi.

On July 25, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted separate receptions for Indonesian Ambassador to Vietnam Denny Abdi and Iranian Ambassador Ali Akbar Nazari. At the meeting with Ambassador Abdi, NA Chairman Hue spoke highly of Indonesia's role not only in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) but also in the region and the world, as a member of the G20. Vietnam is Indonesia's only strategic partner in Southeast Asia, he said.

Receiving the Iranian Ambassador, NA Chairman Hue said Vietnam the friendship and cooperation between the two countries have developed fruitfully over the past time. Vietnam always attaches importance and wishes to maintain and promote the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Iran, he said.

On July 24, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted a reception for former Speaker of the Republic of Korea’s National Assembly Park Byeong-seug. The NA Chairman believed that the two legislatures have enough conditions to establish exemplary relations, making it a model of parliamentary ties in the world.

On July 24, receiving outgoing French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue expected that France would continue further fostering economic, trade, investment and tourism cooperation with Vietnam. Both sides should continue working closely together to expedite the construction, completion, and early operation of the Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line; as well as step up the renovation of Long Bien bridge into a pedestrian bridge in Hanoi, he added.

From July 23-27, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang led the Vietnamese delegation to pay an official visit to Israel, from July 23-25, and Egypt, from July 25-27, 2023.

On July 27, during their talks in Cairo, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly have agreed to continue cultivating bilateral traditional friendship and fine cooperation by further increasing the exchange of delegations, especially those at high levels. The Deputy Prime Minister conveyed Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s invitation to the Egyptian Prime Minister to visit Vietnam soon and suggested both sides actively offer mutual support to international organizations. Hailing the positive developments in Vietnam – Egypt ties, the two sides expressed determination to make breakthroughs in bilateral coordination in various areas.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (R) and Prime Minister of Egypt Mostafa Madbouly at the talks in Cairo, on July 27, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

On July 26, as part of his official visit to Egypt, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang attended the ceremony held by Vietnamese Embassy in Egypt to mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Egypt diplomatic ties (September 1, 1963 – 2023).

On July 25, during the talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang said that Vietnam and Israel should consider science-technology and high-tech agriculture as priority areas for cooperation. Prime Minister Netanyahu welcomed and spoke highly of the significance of Deputy Prime Minister Quang's visit, especially as the two countries are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations.

Before the talks, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu witnessed the signing ceremony of the Vietnam - Israel Free Trade Agreement. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister Quang met Israeli President Isaac Herzog and received representatives of Israeli businesses.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu witnessed the signing ceremony of the Vietnam - Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA), which was signed by Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien (left) and Israeli Minister of Economy and Industry Nir Barkat on July 25, 2023. (Photo: VGP)

Activities of the Foreign Minister

On July 29, in an interview to the media, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said that President Vo Van Thuong’s official visit to Austria from July 23-25, and State visit to Italy and visit to the Vatican from July 25-29 have been successful in all aspects.

This is the first visit to Austria by a Vietnamese President over the past 15 years, and the first delegation exchange at the head-of-state level with Italy and the Vatican in seven years. These visits are very important highlights in the context of Vietnam and Austria turning a new page in their relationship with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties last year, and Vietnam and Italy celebrating the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership this year.

The Foreign Minister stressed that the visits have contributed to creating new momentum for the bilateral ties with Austria and Italy in all fields, from politics-diplomacy to trade-investment, development cooperation, education-training, science-technology, national defence and security, and culture.

In the Vatican, it is noteworthy that the two sides concluded the “Agreement on the Status of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam”, marking a significant development step in their relations, he added.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the meeting between President Vo Van Thuong and Cardinal Pietro Parolin, Secretary of State of Vatican on July 27, 2023. (Photo: WVR)

On July 24, in Vienna, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a meeting with Austrian Foreign Minister Alexander Schallenberg, as part of President Vo Van Thuong’s Austria visit. The Austrian Foreign Minister said that the Austrian side will soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), which will further boost bilateral economic and investment relations between the two countries.

On July 25, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son sent congratulatory message to US Secretary of State Antony Blinken, on the occasion of the 10th anniversary of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership.

On the same day July 25, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken delivered a recorded video statement highlighting the strong and growing relationship on the 10th Anniversary of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership (July 25, 2013-2023).

Bilateral activities

On July 27, Standing Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu received the delegation of Governor of Wakayama Prefecture of Japan Kishimoto Shuhei on the occasion of the delegation's visit to Vietnam from July 26-30. Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu suggested Governor Kishimoto Shuhei continue to pay attention to and build friendly cooperative relations between Wakayama Prefecture and localities of Vietnam, including Lang Son, Son La and Bac Ninh provinces.

On the same day, receiving Mr. Takebe Tsutomu, Special Advisor of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance, Deputy Minister Nguyen Minh Vu highly appreciated activities of the two friendship Parliamentary Groups, as well as Mr. Takebe Tsutomu's personal contributions towards the friendly cooperation between Vietnam and Japan over the past time, and especially in 2023, when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

On July 27, in an interview to The World and Vietnam Report, entitled “10 years of Vietnam - US Comprehensive Partnership: Major strides in brief journey”, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung stated: “I have seen the word 'miracle' time and time again, used to describe the Vietnam - US relationship. Two countries’ cooperation have resulted in many achievements that few could have imagined 28 years ago".

On July 28, also in an interview to The World and Vietnam Report, US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc Knapper stressed that US - Vietnam relationship has never been stronger, saying: “Our goal at the US Mission is to help Vietnam succeed and we believe that it is in America’s national interest to support a strong, prosperous, independent, and resilient Vietnam”.

On July 25-26, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu paid a working visit to Wakayama province. The Ambassador had a meeting with the Governor of Wakayama Prefecture and the Chairman of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Nikai Toshihiro.

On July 24-25, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh visited the Northern Territory of Australia (NT) at the invitation of Chief Minister Natasha Fyles to discuss measures to implement the host Government’s international engagement strategy 2022 to 2026. In this strategy, Vietnam is identified as one of the six high priority markets that the Northern Territory Government wants to promote trade, investment and engagement.

From July 24-25,Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh visited the Northern Territory of Australia (NT) at the invitation of Chief Minister Natasha Fyles. (Photo: VNA)

On the occasion of the official visit to Egypt by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Egypt diplomatic ties (September 1, 1963 – 2023), Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Nguyen Huy Dung highlighted the development of the friendship and cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Egypt over the past 60 years. Ambassador Dung emphasised that Vietnam and Egypt have great potential to strengthen cooperation in all fields, especially economy, trade, logistics, culture, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchanges.

On the occasion of the State visit to Italy by President Vo Van Thuong, Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro said that the visit contributes to update the political relations between the two countries and orient their cooperation in all sectors.

In an interview on the threshold of President Vo Van Thuong’s official visit to Austria, Austrian Ambassador to Vietnam Hans-Peter Glanzer stressed that President Thuong’s visit help tighten relations between the two countries.

On this occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to Austria Nguyen Trung Kien also stressed that President Vo Van Thuong’s official visit to Austria will help promote bilateral cooperation and multilateral diplomacy.

In an interview on the occasion of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's official visit to Israel, Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer said that the key outcome of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's visit to Israel is the signing of the Vietnam-Israel Free Trade Agreement (VIFTA).

Multilateral activities

On July 26, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Deputy Minister of Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Secretariat of the Arab League signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) establishing a cooperative relationship. With this MoU, the two sides can further strengthen cooperation in areas such as economy, trade, industry, energy, culture and tourism.

On July 26, 2023, in the presence of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang and Secretary General of the Arab League Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and the Secretariat of the Arab League signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) . (Photo: WVR)

On July 24, at the United Nations (UN) headquarters, the 77th UN General Assembly held its 92nd plenary session to discuss and approve the 2023 report of the United Nations Peace-Building Committee. Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the UN spoke at the meeting on behalf of ASEAN.

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