Review on external affairs from June 5-11: President received US, Bulgarian Ambassadors; FM’s attendance at OECD meeting, visits to France, Czech
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from June 5-11 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| Review on external affairs from June 5-11: Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended 2023 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting in Paris, France. (Photo: WVR) |
Leaders’ activities
On the occasion of Russian National Day (June 12), President Vo Van Thuong extended greetings to Russian President Vladimir Putin; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended greetings to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin; National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent greetings to Valentina Matvienko and Vyacheslav Volodin who are Speaker of the Federal Council and Chairman of the State Duma of the Russian Federal Assembly. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also sent his greetings to Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov.
On the occasion of the National Day of the Portuguese Republic (June 10), President Vo Van Thuong sent a congratulatory message to President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa; Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory message to Prime Minister Antonio Costa; National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent a congratulatory message to National Assembly President Augusto Santos Silva. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to Portuguese Foreign Minister Joao Gomes Cravinho.
On June 9, President Vo Van Thuong received outgoing Ambassador of Bulgaria to Vietnam Marinela Petkova. The State leader congratulated Ambassador on her excellent fulfillment of tasks in Vietnam, with various substantial contributions to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his belief that on the basis of the long-standing friendship, Vietnam - Bulgaria relations will develop even further in the future.
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| President Vo Van Thuong receives outgoing Bulgarian Ambassador Marinela Petkova. (Photo: VNA) |
On June 5, receiving US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, President Vo Van Thuong affirmed the importance that Vietnam attaches to cooperation between the two countries and described the US as one of the leading partners of Vietnam. The President hailed the US diplomat’s efforts to collaborate with Vietnamese authorities and visit many Vietnamese localities to seek stronger partnership between the two countries.
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| President Vo Van Thuong hosted US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper on June 5, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
On June 6, President Vo Van Thuong sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Santiago Peña Palacios on the occasion of his election as President of the Republic of Paraguay,
On June 5, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received Minister of State for Foreign Trade of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, calling on the UAE to work closely with the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade to soon finalise talks on the bilateral Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA).
On June 9, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory message to Mr. Nikolay Denkov on the occasion of his election as Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria. On this occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son also sent a congratulatory message to Ms. Mariya Gabriel on the occasion of her election as Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria.
On June 6, on the occasion of Mr. Cevdet Yilmaz's appointment as Vice President of Türkiye, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory message.
On June 9, Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Thi Mai hosted a reception for a high-level delegation of the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPI-M) led by its General Secretary Sitaram Yechury.
On the same day, receiving member of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and First Secretary of the Havana Party Committee Luis Antonio Torres Iríbar, Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Thi Mai has reaffirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s consistent policy of supporting solidarity with the just revolutionary cause and heroic struggle of the Communist Party and people of Cuba.
Activities of the Foreign Minister
From June 5-10, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the 2023 OECD Ministerial Council Meeting (MCM), paid official visits to France and the Czech Republic. This is the first time Vietnam has attended the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting as the co-chair of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme (SEARP).
The Minister made important proposals at the OECD Council Ministerial Meeting; meeting with OECD Secretary General Mathias Cormann; attended the opening of the OECD Global Forum on Technology and the Workshop on Evolutions on Global Tax Policy, held bilateral and multilateral contacts with leaders of organizations and countries attending the OECD MCM 2023.
Visiting France, the Minister received the President of the French Senate Gerard Larcher; met with the Vice President of the Senate, former Secretary of the French Communist Party Pierre Laurent; held talks with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna; met UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay.
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna in Paris, on June 5, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Bao Chi) |
On June 5, during the bilateral talks with French Minister of Europe and Foreign Affairs Catherine Colonna, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam always treasures relationship with France, its important member in the European Union (EU) and strategic partner, with strong historical, cultural, and people-to-people ties. This is the first exchange of foreign ministers' delegations between the two countries since the past 10 years, taking place on the occasion of the two countries celebrating the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership.
On June 5, at the meeting with UNESCO Director-General Audrey Azoulay, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam will continue to actively and responsively engage in UNESCO works and implement its international commitments. In this spirit, Vietnam will run for a seat at the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for the 2023-2027 tenure to work with other countries in completing policies and promoting measures to protect the world's cultural and natural heritage, he said, expressing hope to receive support from UNESCO, he added.
On June 6, at the meeting with OECD Secretary-General Mathias Cormann, Foreign Minister Son spoke highly the fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and the OECD, two sides'd efforts in completing the building of an action programme to implement the memorandum of understanding on strengthening their cooperation in the 2022-2026 period. The Foreign Minister suggested the organisation continue its policy consultancy to help Vietnam restructure its economy, reform its growth model based on science-technology, and promote innovations and the digital economy.
From June 7-8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son took part in the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting 2023 in Paris. Themed “Securing a Resilient Future: Shared Values and Global Partnerships”, the Meeting is the most important event of the OECD in 2023, attracting the participation of ministers of the OECD member states and guest countries, along with leaders of the European Commission and many international organisations.
Making a number of important proposals, Foreign Minister Son said that first, the OECD and countries should enhance policy coordination, minimise barriers, protect trade and investment, and build a smooth global trade system based on law, freedom, equality, transparency, and inclusiveness, with the World Trade Organisation (WTO) at the centre.
Secondly, as a body giving policy advice and setting up global standards, the OECD should increase dialogue with developing countries and take into consideration the conditions and viewpoints of countries outside the bloc in its policy and global standard making process.
And thirdly, the organisation should help developing countries improve their competitiveness, gain a foothold in global value chains, effectively adapt to global policy adjustments such as the global minimum corporate income tax and carbon border tax, narrow the digital and technological gap, and tap into potential of female workers and small- and medium-sized enterprises, according to the minister.
The Foreign Minister stressed that as co-chair of the OECD Southeast Asia Regional Programme, Vietnam will continue making active and responsible contributions to efforts in tackling regional and global challenges. To further strengthen cooperation between Southeast Asian countries and OECD, Vietnam will host the second OECD - Southeast Asia Ministerial Forum this October. The initiative has been welcomed by the OECD Ministerial Council Meeting.
On June 7, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son visited the headquarters of the International Organisation of La Francophonie (OIF) in Paris and met with OIF Secretary General Louise Mushikiwabo. At the working session with OIF Secretary General Mushikiwabo, Foreign Minister Son affirmed his support for the OIF’s endeavours in promoting the use of the French language, cultural diversity, and economic cooperation within the Francophone space. Vietnam is an active and responsible member of the Francophone community, he said, expressing his appreciation for the OIF’s attention to regional matters, including the East Sea issue.
On June 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son highlighted Vietnam’s determination to achieve green transition at a panel discussion of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting 2023 in Paris.
On June 8, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with officials of Brazil, France, the European Commission (EC), and Canada on the sidelines of the Organisation for Economic Cooperation Development (OECD) Ministerial Council Meeting 2023 in Paris.
Visiting the Czech Republic from June 9 - 10, the Foreign Minister met the President of the Czech Senate Milos Vystrcil; talks with Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs Jan Lipavský. Vietnam always attaches importance to promoting the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Czech Republic, and wishes to further expand cooperation with the country across fields, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has said.
Bilateral activities
On June 10, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Osaka and the Japan’s Festival Organisation Committee held a ceremony to launch the Vietnam Festival 2023, an activity marking the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Japan. Consul General Ngo Trinh Ha said that over the past 50 years, Vietnam and Japan have built a cooperative relationship of friendship, trust, mutual respect, equality, and mutual benefit. Japan is Vietnam's leading important partner in many fields and is the country with the second-largest Vietnamese community in the world.
On June 10, the Russian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony celebrating the 33rd anniversary of the National Day of the Federation of Russia (June 12, 1990-2023). Vice Chairman of the municipal People's Committee Duong Anh Duc emphasised the growing traditional relations between the two countries. The statue of President Ho Chi Minh built with Russian friends’ support about to be inaugurated in Saint Petersburg city demonstrates the attachment between the two countries, contributing to strengthening the trust of generations of the two sides in the propsect of the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, Vice Chairman Duc said.
On June 9, a celebration to mark the 53th anniversary of Bangladesh’s Independence - National Day and 50 years of Bangladesh-Vietnam diplomatic ties was held by the Embassy of Bangladesh in Hanoi. In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet said half a century of independence has brought immense changes for the people of Bangladesh. The Deputy Foreign Minister express his belief that under the leadership of Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina, Bangladesh will move full steam ahead and realize its Vision 2041 and the process will give fresh opportunities for strengthening cooperation between Viet Nam and Bangladesh.
On June 9, receiving delegation of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance led by Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, Chairman of the Alliance, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu highly appreciated great contributions of the members of the Alliance as well as close friends of Vietnam for the strong development of relations between the two countries, especially efforts to promote economic cooperation, trade and communication activities, cultural exchange, people-to-people exchange and parliamentarians of the two countries.
On June 8, at the Headquarters of the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (Budapest), Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang co-chairing a political consultation with Deputy State Secretary for External Economic Affairs of Hungary Bihari Katalin and holding a working session with Minister of State at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sztaray Péter.
Both sides hailed the growing traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary over the past more than seven decades. They expressed their delight at holding the political consultation at a time when the two countries celebrate the fifth anniversary of their comprehensive partnership. Deputy Foreign Minister Hang affirmed that Vietnam always values and wishes to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Hungary, a traditional and sole comprehensive partner of Vietnam in the Central-Eastern Europe.
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| Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Minister of State at the Hungarian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade Sztaray Péter. (Photo: WVR/Bao Chi) |
On June 8, in Hanoi, a ceremony was held to mark the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP) and the 35th anniversary of the joint operation to search for US servicemen who were reported missing in action (MIA) during the war in Vietnam. Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc said over the past five decades, VNOSMP has been fulfilling its assigned political missions, contributing to healing the wounds of war as well as normalising and promoting Vietnam-US relations. USAmbassador to Vietnam Marc. E Knapper said that the MIA cooperation, which was founded before the two nations normalized their bilateral relations, has created a firm foundation to promote the US-Vietnam relationship, the US Ambassador stressed.
This week, Ambassador Andrew Goledzinowski hosted a working dinner with members of the Australia-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group at the Australian Embassy in Hanoi, marking the excellent parliamentary collaboration between the two parliaments on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Australia-Vietnam diplomatic relations.
On June 7, the Slovak Government officially recognised the Vietnamese community as the country’s 14th ethnic minority group and approved regulations for the community. The decision was made on the basis of the recommendations of the Slovak Government Council on Human Rights, Ethnic Minorities, and Gender Equality, and experts. Accordingly, the Vietnamese community fully meets the criteria "in quantity", "has lived in Slovakia for nearly 70 years and the 3rd generation has fully integrated into society". It is estimated that about 7,000 Vietnamese-origin people are living and studying in Slovakia.
On June 6, Ambassador Tran Quoc Khanh presented credentials to the Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune. Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune has said the Vietnam-Algeria traditional friendship serves as an important foundation for the promotion of their multifaceted cooperation for the mutual benefits of their peoples, lauded Vietnam’s national development achievements as well as its role and image in the region and the world. He pledged the best conditions possible for the Vietnamese diplomat to fulfill his mission, contributing to the growth of the countries’ ties.
On June 7, on the occasion of Vietnam and Turkey's 45th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1978-2023), Ambassador Haldun Tekneci shared with The World & Viet Nam Report on the 45-year history and the journey ahead for Türkiye-Viet Nam relations.
On June 6, in Hanoi, at the reception for Brazilian counterpart Eduardo Paes Saboia, Deputy Foreign Minister Ngoc expressed his delight at Brazil continuing to be Vietnam's largest trade partner in the Latin America, with two-way trade reaching 6.78 billion USD in 2022. Vietnam and Brazil hold great potential for further development as members of the Southern Common Market (Mercosur), said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc.
On June 6, Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc received Brazilian Deputy Foreign Minister Eduardo Paes Saboia during his working visit to Vietnam. At the meeting, the two sides shared about each country's situation, especially in the context of the two countries. The country has implemented measures to restore the economy and ensure social security after the Covid-19 pandemic.
On June 5, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu visited Tochigi province, attended the opening ceremony of FPT Office in Tochigi.
In an interview granted to the Vietnamese media, Vietnamese Ambassador to the Czech Republic Thai Xuan Dung has stressed that Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son’s coming visit to the European country from June 8-10 will once again affirm the positive developments of bilateral relationship.
Multilateral activities
On June 8, the third meeting of the EU-Vietnam Political Affairs Sub-Committee under the Vietnam-EU Joint Committee on the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Comprehensive Cooperation Agreement (PCA) took place in Hanoi.
On June 7, Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, the Head of Vietnamese Delegation to the UN, WTO and other international organisations in Geneva, has reaffirmed Vietnam's commitment to the universal values of the International Labour Organization (ILO), at its ongoing 111th International Labour Conference in Geneva which lasts from June 5–16, 2023. Ambassador Mai held that Vietnam supports ILO Director-General Gilbert F. Houngbo’s report on the promotion of social justice, as well as his efforts and initiatives for boosting employment and social security towards decent work and an equitable transition serving the realisation of the goals set by the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and of the ILO's mission of promoting social justice and decent employment for all.
On June 6, in New York, addressing an interactive dialogue between the UNDP Executive Board and UN member states held on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the Vietnam - UN relations, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, the Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, has affirmed that the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has been and will continue to be one of the most important and trusted partners of the Government and people of Vietnam on the country’s development and integration pathway.
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| UNDP is one of Vietnam's most important partners on development path: Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang. (Photo: WVR) |
On June 6, Vietnam’s traditional cuisine fascinated foreign friends at the International Bazaar held at the United Nations headquarters. The annual event, held by the Spouses of Delegates of Member States, aims to strengthen ties between member countries and raise funds to support the UN’s activities and humanitarian projects. This year's bazaar saw nearly 100 booths showcasing handicraft products and traditional cuisines of UN member countries. According to Dang Hoang Giang, Head of the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the UN, joining the event will help promote the good values of the country and people of Vietnam to the international community, especially the diplomatic missions in New York. It will contribute to making practical contributions to the UN's humanitarian goals and efforts, he said.
On June 5, speaking at the regular meeting of the IAEA Board of Governors that opened in Vienna, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien highlighted the need to balance the three pillars of the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT). Ambassador Nguyen Trung Kien, Governor - Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has affirmed Vietnam's consistent policy of supporting the non-proliferation of the nuclear weapons, moving towards the complete and thorough nuclear disarmament.
On June 6, speaking at the 23rd meeting of the UN Open-ended Informal Consultative Process on Oceans and Law of the Sea (ICP23) in New York, with the theme “New Maritime Technologies: Challenges and Opportunities”, from June 5 to 9, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, emphasized the importance of marine technology in supporting sustainable development and mitigating the impacts of climate change.
On the same day, at the ongoing fourth substantive session of the UN open-ended working group on conventional ammunition in New York, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa also shared the international community’s common concern over the risks and challenges brought about by the illicit trade, transfer, misuse and mismanagement of ammunition. Any framework for conventional ammunition management must be consistent with fundamental principles of the international law and United Nations (UN) Charter, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa stated.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On June 10, responding to a reporter's question to comment on the statement of the Spokesperson of the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 6, 2023 about the activities of China's Xiangyang Hong 10 survey ship, Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Pham Thu Hang stated:
"As repeatedly affirmed, Vietnam has full legal ground and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) islands. The legal status of Truong Sa and its entities has been clearly defined in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982).
Sovereignty, sovereign right and jurisdiction over the seas of a state established in line with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) as well as the legitimate rights and interests of the littoral countries, including Vietnam, must be respected.
This is a manifestation of the responsible and construction spirit and a practical contribution by countries concerned to peace, stability, cooperaion and the rule of the law in the region, including the East Sea."
On July 8, in response to reporters' queries about Vietnam’s reaction to the live-fire drills conducted by Taiwan on June 7, Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang stated that Vietnam resolutely oppose0⁰ppps to and demands that Taiwan (China) cancel live-fire drills in the waters around Ba Binh island belonging to Vietnam’s Truong Sa (Spratly).
Spokesperson Hang reaffirmed that Vietnam has full legal basis and historical evidence to affirm its sovereignty over Truong Sa," she said, stressing that the exercises conducted by Taiwan (China) seriously violates Vietnam’s territorial sovereignty over Truong Sa, threatens peace, stability, safety and security of navigation, causes tension and further complicates the situation in the East Sea. The Spokesperson urged Taiwan (China) not to repeat similar violations in the future.
Other activities
On June 9, the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam cooperated with Pacific Forum to organize a seminar on improving cyber governance capacity in Southeast Asia. The seminar is an event in a series of activities within the framework of the Cyber ASEAN project sponsored by the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade for the Pacific Forum.
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