Review on external affairs from July 31-Aug. 6: NA Chairman visits Indonesia, attends AIPA-44; Vietnam-Philippines promote maritime cooperation
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from July 31-Aug. 6 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the People's Representative Council Puan Maharani in Jakarta, on August 4, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
Leaders’ activities
On August 5, at the Headquarters of the Party Central Committee, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held high-level online phone talks with the President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. The two leaders shared delight at the expanding Vietnam-Cambodia partnership which has brought about practical benefits to people of both countries, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world. They underlined the meaning and significance of the tradition of solidarity, strong bonding and mutual support as the most important factor and the source of greatest strength for the struggle for national independence in the past and the current national defence and construction of each Party and nation both at present and in the future.
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| On August 5, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong held high-level online phone talks with the President of the Cambodian People's Party (CPP) and Prime Minister Samdech Techo Hun Sen. (Photo: VNA) |
On August 4, President Vo Van Thuong and Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi exchanged congratulatory messages on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (August 4, 1973-2023). On the same day, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also exchanged messages of congratulations with Iranian Foreign Minister Hossein Amir-Abdollahian.
On August 1, on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) (August 1, 1993 - 2023), President Vo Van Thuong exchanged greetings with the President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has done the same with UAE Vice President, Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum. On the occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also exchanged greetings with UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
On August 1, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations, the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Singapore (August 1, 1973 - 2023), President Vo Van Thuong exchanged greetings with Singaporean President Halimah Yacob; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent message of congratulations to Singapore's Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong; National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent congratulatory messages to Acting Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Jessica Tan. On the occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to Singapore's Foreign Minister Vivian Balakrishnan.
On August 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh hosted a reception for a delegation from the US House of Representatives led by Chairman of its Ways and Means Committee Jason Smith. The PM affirmed that Vietnam always treasures the comprehensive partnership with the US, and welcomed the US’s increased cooperation with Vietnam, respect for political institutions and support for a “strong, independent, self-resilient and prosperous” Vietnam. Prime Minister Chinh suggested the countries continue promoting bilateral visits and contacts, enhancing cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, sci-tech, education-training, innovation, semi-conductor chip production, digital transformation, energy transition, green growth, supply chain diversification and climate change response. He proposed the US Congress continue increasing support for Vietnam’s efforts to overcome war consequences, and creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the US.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives Chairman of the US House of Representatives' Ways and Means Committee Jason Smith (Photo: VNA) |
On the same day, Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Hai received the delegation of the US Congress led by Chairman of the House of Representatives' Committee on Ways and Means Jason Smith.
On August 2, receiving Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique A. Manalo, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam always treasures and wishes to step up the strategic partnership with the Philippines. Prime Minister Chinh expressed his satisfaction with the strong developments of bilateral strategic partnership over the past years. Two-way trade hit all-high nearly 8 billion USD last year. Further attention has been paid to maritime cooperation, especially concerning marine ecological environment, maritime economy and illegal fishing prevention.
On August 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Head of the Steering Committee for the plan on reviewing the 10-year implementation of the Politburo’s Resolution 22-NQ/TW on international integration, chaired the Committee’s first meeting in online form. National development has been promoted in both quality and quantity over the 10 years of implementing the Politburo’s resolution on international integration, however, there remains huge room for Vietnam to further integrate into the world, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh. He noted that the resolution, issued by the 11th-tenure Politburo on April 10, 2013, marked an important shift in the Party and State’s mindset about Vietnam’s integration into the world, from “international economic integration” to “proactive, active, comprehensive, intensive, and effective integration into the world” in all aspects, including politics, defence, security, culture, society, science - technology, and education - training.
On August 2, receiving Group Chairman of the UK-based HSBC Holdings Plc Mark Tucker, Prime Minister Chinh believed that the presence of British banks in Vietnam such as HSBC and Standard Chartered will make positive contributions to fostering friendship and effective cooperation between the two countries. The Prime Minister noted with pleasure that HSBC Vietnam has been operating effectively, actively engaging in dialogues, and working closely with management agencies, thereby contributing positively to the continuous improvement of the banking legal framework in Vietnam.
On August 2, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a message of sympathy to Premier Li Qiang of China over the big losses of human lives and property caused by storm-triggered rains and floods in a number of Chinese localities, including Beijing, Tianjin cities and Hebei province. On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Steering Committee for Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation Tran Luu Quang, and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also conveyed their sympathies to Wang Yi, Director of the Office of the Central Commission for Foreign Affairs, Minister of Foreign Affairs of China and Chairman of the China-Vietnam Steering Committee for Bilateral Cooperation.
On August 1, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received a delegation of officials and businesses from the US state of California led by Mayor of Oakland city Sheng Thao. The PM affirmed that Vietnam always views the US as one of the leading partners and wishes to continue promoting bilateral relations in a substantive and effective manner for the sake of the two peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Asia-Pacific region. PM Chinh applauded the sound relations between Vietnam and California, including Oakland city, especially economic, trade and seaport cooperation.
From August 4-10, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue attends the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-44) and pay official visits to Indonesia and Iran, the invitations of Speaker of the People’s Representative Council (Lower House) of Indonesia and AIPA President Puan Maharani; and Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.
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| National Assembly Chairman, Speaker of People’s Representative Council of Indonesia signed a cooperation agreement between the two legislatures. (Photo: VNA) |
On August 4, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam arrived at Soekarno Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, starting an official visit to Indonesia and attending the AIPA-44. NA Chairman Hue held talks with Speaker of the People’s Representative Council (Lower House) of Indonesia Puan Maharani; meetings with high-ranking Indonesian leaders, including Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Governor of Jakarta Heru Budi Hartono, Indonesia - Vietnam Friendship Association, Chairman of the Indonesian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KADIN), attended Vietnam-Indonesia Forum on Policies and Laws to promote the bilateral economic, trade and investment cooperation; meetings with foreign counterparts such as Speaker of the Philippine House of Representatives Ferdinand Martin Romualdez, Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Wan Muhamad Noor Matha, Lao NA Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, seperate meetings with Speaker of the Malaysian House of Representatives Tan Sri Dato’ Johari Bin Abdul and Vice President of the Cambodian Senate Kittisangkahabindit Tep Ngorn, etc.
On August 5, addressing an external policy forum in Jakarta, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held that in the 21st century, security and prosperous development of Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean have an decisive influence to the security and prosperity of all countries and the globe; all countries should join hands in building a regional cooperation structure of inclusion and stability with connectivity.
On August 3, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent a message of congratulations to new Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng.
On August 3, receiving President of Japan's Kyodo News Toru Mizutani, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan hailed activities during the guest’s visit, including the signing of a professional cooperation agreement between the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Kyodo News and a photo exhibition marking the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, have contributed to realising common perceptions reached by the two countries’ leaders regarding specific measures to beef up Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia. She believed that the two news agencies will build on the past achievements to enhance the sharing of professional expertise and experience, thus spreading news widely in the digital environment.
On August 1, in Hanoi, a ceremony was held to mark the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam - Singapore diplomatic relationship (August 1, 1973 - 2023) and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership. The event was organised by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam - Singapore Friendship Association, and the Singaporean Embassy in Vietnam. On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan offered congratulations to the Singaporean Government and people on the anniversaries.
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| Ceremony marks 50 years of Vietnam - Singapore diplomatic ties in Hanoi: Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan addresses the ceremony in Hanoi on August 1, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
On August 1, receiving Executive Senior Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Yamada Junichi, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang affirmed Vietnam’s efforts to speed up the projects funded by official development assistance (ODA) of Japan. The Deputy Prime Minister appreciated the Japanese Government and people’s effective support for socio-economic development and poverty reduction in Vietnam via ODA over the last more than 30 years, including a loan of over 60 million JPY (418,900 USD) signed in early July 2023. He also called on the Japanese side to provide ODA for some railway, digital transformation, green transition, and climate change response projects in Vietnam.
On July 31, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received UK Minister of State for Energy Security and Net Zero Graham Stuart. Appreciating the UK Government's actions and Minister Stuart's efforts in carrying out the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), Deputy Prime Minister Ha welcomed the UK’s sharing of its experience in developing policies and criteria for selecting investors to ensure the best overall interests.
Activities of the Foreign Minister
On August 3, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son held a phone talks with Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Benin Olushegun Adjadi Bakari, assuring that Vietnam always values and wishes to foster its traditional friendship and cooperation with Benin. Foreign Minister Son stressed that there remains a huge room for bilateral cooperation so that both sides need to step up bilateral economic ties. The two Foreign Ministers agreed to facilitate the exchange of delegations, create favourable conditions for the two countries’ businesses and investors to share market information, promote trade-investment and cooperation in agriculture, science, telecoms and electronics.
On August 3, at the Headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, authorized by the President of Vietnam, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son presented the Friendship Order to President of the World University Services (WUS) Germany Dr. Kambiz Ghawami, on acknowledging his contributions to strengthening the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Germany. The WUS Germany President has also contributed significantly to advancing the construction and development of the Vietnam-Germany University. The Foreign Minister hoped that Dr. Ghawami, who is also the authorised representative of the German state of Hessen for coordinating activities with Vietnam, will continue to utilise his experience and capabilities to make further contributions to Vietnam’s ties with Germany in general and with Hessen in particular.
On August 2, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique Manalo co-chaired the 10th meeting of Vietnam-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo, who was on an official visit to Vietnam from August 1-2, affirmed that the Philippines always values consolidating and developing the friendly and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, its sole strategic partner in ASEAN. Both sides agreed upon various specific measures to continue promoting collaboration across spheres, including high-level exchanges and contacts, especially the organisation of Philippine President Ferdinand Romualdez Marcos Jr.'s visit to Vietnam at an appropriate time.
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| On August 2, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Secretary of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines Enrique Manalo co-chaired the 10th meeting of Vietnam-Philippines Joint Commission on Bilateral Cooperation. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh) |
They pledged to enhance maritime cooperation, share information and coordinate to promptly address arising issues at sea, and improve the effectiveness of cooperation in combating illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. The two Ministers signed the Minutes of the Meeting and agreed to organise the 11th meeting in the Philippines at a suitable time in 2025.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (August 1, 1973 - 2023) and 10 years of the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership (1993- 2023), Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son wrote an article on the World and Vietnam Report, to review the development of Vietnam-Singapore relationship in the past 50 years, affirming that Vietnam and Singapore are trusted companions striding into the future.
In his articles dedicated to these anniversaries on the World and Vietnam Report, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Singapore Dr. Vivian Balakrishnan also stressed that successive generations of leaders have built bilateral relationship on the foundations laid by the Prime Ministers Mr. Lee Kuan Yew and Mr. Vo Van Kiet, expressing his confidence that the two countries’ friendship will continue to prosper in the next 50 years to come.
Bilateral activities
On the occasion of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to attend AIPA-44 and pay an official visit to Indonesia, from August 4-8, Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Ta Van Thong reviewed the development in Vietnam-Indonesia relations and Vietnam's contribution to AIPA.
Sharing with the World & Vietnam Report about the significance of upcoming official visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Iran, Iranian Ambassador to Vietnam Ali Akbar Nazari affirmed that the visit marks an important chapter in the history of the two countries. As the trip also takes place at a very important moment on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic relations, there are high expectations for expanding bilateral relations, reflecting the mutual desire to strengthen friendship, elevate cooperation to new heights and explore the full potential of bilateral ties.
On August 4, speaking at the official ceremony to mark 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Iran, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc affirmed that the two countries have many similarities and advantages to complement each other so that the friendship and cooperation will continue to develop for the benefit of the two peoples, for peace and stability in the two regions and in the world.
On August 4, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu visited Fukushima prefecture. Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu had a meeting with the Governor of Fukushima Prefecture Masao Uchibori and visited a hydrogen production plant in Namie town.
From August 2-3, the 16th round of negotiations of the working group on less sensitive sea-related fields between Vietnam and China was held in Vietnam’s central city of Da Nang. The two sides had in-depth discussions on how to boost cooperation in less sensitive sea-related fields, and reviewed the implementation of some reached agreements and projects. They also exchanged views on some new cooperation proposals in the spirit of mutual respect and benefits, and in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS) and laws of each country. In that spirit, they agreed on some relevant draft cooperation agreements, and pledged to make efforts to soon sign them in the time ahead.
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| At the 16th round of negotiations of the working group on less sensitive sea-related fields between Vietnam and China. (Photo: VNA) |
From July 31 to August 2, Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung had a business trip to Arizona. Joining the delegation were a number of Vietnamese enterprises operating in the US such as FPT, RKTech, DTT, and VMO. The delegation had meetings with Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs, the Arizona Department of Commerce, Arizona State University (ASU) and many semiconductor and artificial intelligence companies in Arizona.
On August 1, implementing the agreement of the 9th meeting of the Vietnam - Philippines Joint Committee on Bilateral Cooperation (JCBC) in 2019, the first political consultation between the Foreign Ministries of Vietnam and the Philippines took place in Hanoi. Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and Undersecretary of the Philippine Department of Foreign Affairs Theresa P. Lazaro co-chaired the first Political Consultative Meeting between the Foreign Ministries of the two countries. Both sides agreed to propose the countries’ Foreign Ministers hold in-depth discussion about cooperation areas of common interest, including politics, defence, security, economy, trade, investment, maritime cooperation, and other fields, at the 10th JCBC meeting on August 2.
On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Singapore – Vietnam diplomatic relations, and 10th anniversary of their Strategic Partnership, in the interview to Vietnamese media, Singaporean Ambassador to Vietnam Jaya Ratnam said that Vietnam – Singapore relations have grown strongly based on the high level of trust at the political level, win-win partnerships, and enhanced people-to-people exchange.
On July 31, in Hanoi, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam in collaboration with the American Institute of Peace (USIP) held a seminar with the theme "Celebrating 10 years of the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership: Promoting post-war Healing and Strengthening strategic trust”.
Multilateral activities
From July 31 to August 4, in Bali, Indonesia, Ambassador Vu Ho, Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam, attended a series of Senior Officials’ Meetings of ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Maritime ASEAN Forum (AMF) and the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF). The participants touched upon various regional issues, including preparations for the 43rd ASEAN Summit, slated for September 4-7 in Jakarta with the aim of enhancing dialogues and cooperation across spheres.
On August 3, speaking at an open debate on famine and conflict-induced global food security held by the UN Security Council (UNSC), Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), emphasised the need for a stronger commitment and collective efforts from the international community to break the vicious cycle between conflict and poverty. The Vietnamese representative called on all parties involved in conflicts to respect the UN Charter and international law, especially international humanitarian law, and not to destroy essential infrastructure crucial for the life of civilians, particularly women and children, as stipulated in Resolution 2573 proposed by Vietnam during its presidency of the UNSC in April 2021.
On August 3, the Organizing Committee of the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference and the Information Subcommittee held a ceremony to announce the logo, identity and website of the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference. This is one of the key multilateral external affairs events of the National Assembly, also one of the major multilateral diplomatic events of Vietnam this year.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On August 3, at the Ministry’s regular press conference, in responding to a reporter's question about China's inclusion of part of the Paracel Islands in the military exercise area in the East Sea from July 29 to August 2, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnam strongly protests to China's inclusion of a part of Hoang Sa (Paracel) in its military exercise in the East Sea and demands that China respect Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracel).
The Spokesperson said China's inclusion of a part of Hoang Sa, which belongs to Vietnam's sovereignty, in its military exercise in the East Sea from July 29 to August 2 constitutes a serious violation of Vietnam's sovereignty over this area and goes against the spirit of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). It complicates the situation, and does not contribute to the ongoing negotiations between China and ASEAN on a Code of Conduct in the waters (COC) as well as to the maintenance of a peaceful, stable, and cooperative environment in the East Sea. Vietnam strongly protests and demands that China respect Vietnam's sovereignty over Hoang Sa and refrain from similar actions in the future, stated the Spokesperson.
Also at the Ministry’s regular press conference, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang stated Vietnam's response to the act of vandalizing the Vietnamese flag by some Filipinos in front of the Vietnamese Embassy in Manila on August 1, 2023.
