Review on external affairs from May 1-7: President’s attendance at King Charles III’s coronation, Vietnam-Luxembourg's new cooperation pillar
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from May 1-7 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| President Vo Van Thuong and King Charles III at the coronation. (Photo: VNA) |
Leaders’ activities
From May 4-6, at the invitation of the Royal Family and the UK Government, President Vo Van Thuong attended the coronation of British King Charles III (King Charles III) in London. The visit demonstrated Vietnam's respect for the Royal Family and the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership, thereby further enhancing the two nations’ sound relations and political trust. In London, the Vietnamese State leader met with King Charles III and Queen Camilla, the UK’s Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, House of Commons Speaker Sir Lindsay Hoyle, House of Commons Deputy Speaker Nigel Evans, Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly, and Secretary of State for Defence Ben Wallace, among others British officials.
President Thuong also had meetings with the Presidents of the Philippines, Singapore, France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Slovakia, Austria, Mongolia, Zimbabwe and Israel, the Governors-General of Australia and New Zealand, the Vice President of Honduras, Vice President of Cuba, the Prime Ministers of the Republic of Korea, Australia, New Zealand, the President of the European Council, and the OECD Secretary General. During the meetings, the leaders agreed to further bilateral ties in the coming time, contributing to peace, development and prosperity of the region and the world.
The State leader also attended a special meeting with British friends who supported and made many important contributions to the development of Vietnam-UK relations; laid a wreath at a plaque commemorating late President Ho Chi Minh at New Zealand House in London; visited the British Museum; visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met the Vietnamese community in the UK.
From April 30 to May 4, during a working visit to Vietnam, Politburo member and permanent member of the Secretariat of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee Roberto Morales Ojeda held talks with Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Truong Thi Mai (May 4); co-chaired the fifth Theoretical Symposium themed of "Some theoretical and practical issues on building socialism in Vietnam and Cuba" with Politburo member, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang (May 3) and had a meeting with President Vo Van Thuong.
On the occasion of the 232nd anniversary of the National Day of the Republic of Poland (May 3, 1791-2023), President Vo Van Thuong sent a congratulatory message to President of the Republic of Poland Andzej Duda, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh extended congratulations to Polish PM Mateusz Morawiecki. Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue congratulated Marshal of the Senate Tomasz Grodzki and Marshal of the Sejm ElzbietaWitek. On the occasion, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to Polish Foreign Minister Zbigniew Rau.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel in Hanoi on May 4, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Nguyen Hong) |
On May 6, Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel and a high-ranking delegation of Luxembourg left Vietnam, successfully ending an official visit to Vietnam from May 3-5 at the invitation of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Within the framework of the visit, Prime Minister Xavier Bettel attended the official welcome ceremony, held talks with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, witnessed the signing ceremony of cooperation documents in the financial sector, especially the strategic partnership agreement in green finance between the two Finance Ministries; had meetings with the press to announce the results of the talks, meeting with President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue; attended the Vietnam - Luxembourg Business Forum; visited Temple of Literature Van Mieu- Quoc Tu Giam and Vietnam Fine Arts Museum and had some activities in Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh, ect.
At the talks, the Prime Ministers of Vietnam and Luxembourg exchanged views on regional and international issues of common concern, affirmed that Vietnam and Luxembourg will maintain mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations such as the cooperation framework between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the EU, the Asia - Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations, especially during the time both serve as members of the UN Human Rights Council, so as to contribute to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development.
On May 5, receiving Mr. Ishiguro Norihiko, President of the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh suggested JETRO help Japanese firms further expand their operations in Vietnam, especially in green and digital transformation, circular and knowledge-based economy, climate change adaptation, supporting industries, innovation and technology transfer, particularly advanced, green and clean technologies. As there remains huge room for bilateral economic, trade, and investment cooperation, the Prime Minister suggested Japan and JETRO continue assisting Vietnam in building an independent and self-reliant economy that actively and effectively integrates into the world, contributing to elevating the Vietnam-Japan relationship to a new height.
On May 5, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed Chairman of the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Nikai Toshihiro, its leadership, parliamentarians and leaders of Japanese localities who are on a visit to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties this year. The Prime Minister suggested Chairman Toshihiro prompt the Japanese Government to continue providing new-generation ODA for Vietnam in strategic infrastructure construction, and wished that Japanese investors would increase their investment in Vietnam in the spirit of getting mutual benefits, sharing risks and harmonising interests.
On May 5, meeting with Mr. Nikai Toshihiro, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that the National Assembly of Vietnam and the Chairman of the National Assembly highly appreciate the role of the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance in promoting parliamentary diplomatic relations, people-to-people exchanges as well as relations between the two countries. The NA Chairman expressed his delight at the sound growth of the Vietnam - Japan relations in many fields, particularly political trust, diplomacy, economy, trade-investment, and high-level delegation exchange. Japan has maintained its position as Vietnam's No. 1 partner in economy and official development assistance (ODA), No. 2 in labour, No. 3 in investment and tourism, and No. 4 in trade, he said.
In the afternoon of the same day, receiving the Japan - Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, Politburo member, permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and Chairwoman of its Organisation Commission and Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group Truong Thi Mai affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly will continue working closely with the National Diet of Japan to fine-tune laws, create a favourable environment for businesses of both countries to enhance economic, trade, and investment relations in a manner commensurate with the good political relationship, as directed by leaders of the two countries.
On May 4, the Global Women's Summit 2023 themed "Women: Leading a New Climate of Change" opened in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan led the Vietnamese delegation to attend and speak at the opening ceremony of the Summit which highlighted how women are utilizing innovative strategies and technologies to advance their economic opportunities and to address challenges faced by society at large.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan and President of the UAE Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the meeting on May 3, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
On the occasion of her trip to UAE from May 4-6, the Vice President met with UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Emir Ras Al Khaimah Sheikh Saud bin Saqr al Qasimi; had separate working sessions with leaders of the Anwar Gargash Diplomatic Academy (AGDA), Masdar Clean Energy and Mubadala Investment Company; received Director-General of the Emirates News Agency (WAM), visited the Vietnamese Embassy and had meeting with representatives of the Vietnamese community in UAE.
From May 6-8, during her official visit to Qatar, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan held talks with Qatar's Deputy Amir Sheikh Abdullah bin Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, received Qatari Minister of Industry and Trade Mohammed bin Hamad bin Qassim Al Abdullah Al Thani and had some other activities. The Vice President proposed that Qatar create favourable conditions for Vietnamese exports of strengths such as farm produce, aquatic products, and processed food to approach distribution channels, major supermarket systems in the country to increase trade turnover and balance two-way trade.
On May 5, in Phnom Penh, on the occasion of attending the opening ceremony of the 32nd Southeast Asian Games (SEA Games 32), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang paid a courtesy call to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defence Samdech Tea Banh, who is also President of the Cambodia SEA Games Organising Committee (CAMSOC). The Deputy Prime Minister also came to the 32nd SEA Games Athletes Village to encourage the competitive spirit of the Vietnamese sports delegation before the opening day of the 32nd SEA Games in Cambodia.
On May 5, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha hosted reception for Wang Chuanfu, Chairman of China’s BYD Co. Ltd., and Honna Hitoshi, President and Representative Director of Japan’s Erex Co, respectively.
Activities of the Foreign Minister
On May 5, at the working session with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly in London, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening the Vietnam-UK strategic partnership. President Vo Van Thuong’s acceptance of the invitation to the coronation of King Charles III by the British Royal Family is a clear testament to increased political trust and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his delight at the strong developments of bilateral relationship in various fields, in line with the 2020 Joint Declaration on "the Vietnam - UK Strategic Partnership: Forging Ahead for Another 10 Years".
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| Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son met with British Secretary of State for Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Affairs James Cleverly in London on May 5, 2023. (Photo: VNA) |
On the same day, Minister Bui Thanh Son received AstraZeneca Global Deputy General Director Juliette White and attended ceremony to announce the investment of USD 50 million investment to restore forests and landscapes in Vietnam.
Bilateral activities
In an interview with the press on the significance of the official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister of the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel, Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang affirmed that the visit is very important for bilateral relations in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations (1973-2023).
Talking to the World & Vietnam, Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium and Luxembourg Nguyen Van Thao highly appreciated the significance of the visit and pointed out the key cooperation areas of the bilateral relationship in the coming time.
On the occasion of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan’s attendance at the 2023 Global Summit of Women and holding some bilateral activities in the the United Arab Emirates (UAE), along with an official visit to Qatar from May 3-8, Vietnamese Ambassador to UAE Nguyen Manh Tuan has expressed his belief that cooperation between the two countries will enter a new stage of development and become more effective and practical in all spheres.
Highlighted the significance of the visit and the potential for strengthening bilateral relations on the occasion of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan's official visit to Qatar from May 6-8, Vietnamese Ambassador to Qatar Tran Duc Hung said that the official visit to Qatar by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan is of great significance, creating a new impetus for the strengthening of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in the coming time.
On the occasion of Vietnamese President Vo Van Thuong’s trip to the UK to attend the coronation of King Charles III at the invitation of the Royal Family of the UK from May 4-6, UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew has affirmed that the bilateral relationship now stands at a “very dynamic moment” with “real achievements” recorded over the past years.
Reviewing President Vo Van Thuong's visit to the UK to attend the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla from May 4-6, Chairman of the UK-Vietnam Friendship Network (VUKN), British Ambassador to Vietnam (2007-2010) Mark Kent emphasized, the visit shows the especially close high-level friendship between the two countries.
According to Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Nguyen Hoang Long, the visit shows Vietnam's respect and support for the British Royal Family and Government and for the Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership.
On May 3, Vietnamese Heritage Event named "Vietnam - A Cultural Fabric of Land, Water and People" took place at the Vietnam Cultural Center in Paris, France. On this occasion, Vietnamese cultural heritages and the image of a country of Vietnam with development, renovation and dynamism imbued with national identity were introduced to international friends.
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| Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van called for UNESCO member country’s support to Vietnam’s candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the 2023-2027 tenure at the cultural event in Paris on May 3, 2023. (Photo: Vietnamese Mission to UNESCO) |
Addressing the event, which drew the participation of UNESCO official, more than 100 Ambassadors and representatives from countries to UNESCO, Ambassador Le Thi Hong Van, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO affirmed that the promotion of cultural values and people’s strengths is key for Vietnam to realise its dream for a prosperous nation. She called for UNESCO member country’s support to Vietnam’s candidacy for the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in the 2023-2027 tenure.
Multilateral activities
On May 3, speaking at a high-level open debate on “Futureproofing trust for sustaining peace” of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, stressed that trust plays a critical role in conflict prevention and solution, and is the bedrock for a multilateral system that can achieve and sustain peace. Stressing that trust cannot be coerced or manufactured but rests on the principles of fairness and equality, Ambassador Giang called on all actors in international relations, especially the major powers, to act in good faith and uphold their responsibility, while fully considering the legitimate interests of all parties and stakeholders. Multilateralism and respect for international law, including the UN Charter, should be the core elements of trust-building, the Ambassador emphasised.
From May 9-11, the 42nd ASEAN Summit (ASEAN 42) will be held in Labuan Bajo (Indonesia) with the participation of the leaders of ASEAN countries and the Secretary-General of ASEAN. According to Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) delegation of Vietnam, the coming 42nd ASEAN Summit’s theme “ASEAN Matters: Epicentre of Growth” demonstrates member countries’ determination to join hands in promoting economic recovery in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
On the occasion of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh leading a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to attend the 42nd ASEAN Summit in Indonesia, Ambassador Nguyen Hai Bang, Head of the Vietnamese Permanent Representative Delegation to ASEAN highlighted the agenda of the Summit and important contributions of Vietnam.
Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
On May 4, answering reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s reaction to the fact that Royal Australia Mint and Australia Post have issued items with the image of a “yellow flag”, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang stated that:
“Vietnam regrets and resolutely opposes that the Royal Australia Mint and Australia Post have issued items with the image of a “yellow flag”, the flag of a defunct regime. This is totally unsuitable to the sound development trend of the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership.
Vietnam has discussed with the Australia side on this issue, requesting it to take measures to cease the circulation of those items and prevent similar incidents in the future.”
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