Review on external affairs from Oct.10-16: Vice President visits Croatia, attends 6th CICA in Kazakhstan; Vietnam elected to UNHRC
WVR - Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from October 10-16 by The World and Vietnam Report.
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| Vietnam’s election to UNHRC: "Sweet fruit" from sprint campaign efforts. (Photo: Vietnam Mission to UN/WVR) |
Leaders’ activities
On the occasion of Mr. Alexander Van der Bellen being re-elected as Federal President of the Republic of Austria, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc sent a congratulatory message.
On October 12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh made his virtual remarks at the second ASEAN Women Leaders’ Summit 2022, with the participation of Heads of ASEAN countries and representatives of women leaders, female entrepreneurs from ASEAN countries and partners. This year’s Summit was themed “Building a More Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient Future: Unlocking Women’s Entrepreneurship in ASEAN.”
On October 11, receiving new Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Uladzimir Baravikou, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus.
On October 11, receiving Mr. Juan Ignacio Rubiolo, Permanent Executive Vice Chairman of AES Energy Corporation, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that Vietnam welcomes and encourages renewable and green energy projects of the US-based AES Corporation and capable, prestigious partners in Vietnam.
From October 12-14, at the invitation of Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attended the 6th Summit of the Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA 6) and conducted a number of bilateral activities there. During her stay in Kazakhstan, the Vice President had a meeting with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev; met with Prime Minister of Kazakhstan Alikhan Smailov; met with the Chairman of the Senate of the Kazakh Parliament Maulen Ashimbayev; received Ambassador Kairat Sarybay, Executive Director of the CICA Secretariat and Meenakashi Lekhi, Indian Minister of State for External Affairs and for Culture; met the liaison committee of the Kazakhstan-Vietnam Friendship Association; attended a ceremony marking the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam-Kazakhstan diplomatic relations; an event opening Vietjet Air’s direct air route between Cam Ranh of Vietnam and Almaty of Kazakhstan.
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| Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan met with Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokaev in Astana on October 13. (Photo: VNA) |
From October 9-11, at the invitation of Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan paid an official visit to the Republic of Croatia. The Vice President held talks with Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic; had meeting with Croatian President Zoran Milanović; met Deputy Speaker of the Croatian Parliament Ante Sanader; visited the University of Zagreb; met with staff at the Vietnamese Embassy in Hungary and Croatia and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Croatia.
Activities of the Foreign Minister
On October 12, on the occasion of Vietnam's election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UN) for the term 2023-2025, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son gave an interview to the press on the significance of this important event, as well as Vietnam's major orientations and priorities in the upcoming term. As a reliable partner, and an active and responsible member, Viet Nam will continue to work closely with fellow member states and make substantial contributions to the common work of the UNHRC. These include advancing dialogue and international cooperation in the spirit of mutual respect and understanding, and promoting human rights taking into account the particular conditions and legitimate needs and interests of countries, especially developing countries.
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| Vietnam's election to UNHRC is of great importance in various ways: Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son at the interview. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh) |
On October 10, at the headquarters of the Ministry, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son expressed his delight at the development of Vietnam – US ties over the past 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties during a reception for Chairman of the House of Representatives’ Sub-Committee on Asia-Pacific Ami Bera and a delegation of US Congressmen. Affirming that the US is one of the leading important partners of Vietnam, Foreign Minister Son wished for their comprehensive partnership to continue growing on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regime. The US Congressmen affirmed that the US Congress considers Vietnam one of the leading partners in the region and consistently backs a strong, independent and prosperous Vietnam.
Bilateral activities
On the occasion of Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attending the 6th Conference on Interaction and Confidence Building Measures in Asia (CICA 6) and conducting a number of bilateral activities in Kazakhstan from October 12-14, Vietnamese Ambassador to Kazakhstan Pham Thai Nhu Mai has told the press that the Vice President’s working visit will make important contributions to promoting the Vietnam-Kazakhstan cooperation, thus meeting the interests and aspirations of the two peoples, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world over.
On October 12, at a meeting with Vietnamese journalists at the US Embassy in Hanoi, Assistant Secretary of State for East Asia and the Pacific Daniel Kritenbrink, former US Ambassador to Vietnam, congratulated Vietnam on its election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2023 – 2025 tenure. He said he hopes that Vietnam, as an important UNHRC member, will partner with the US to promote universal human rights and address related challenges facing the world.
On October 12 -13, the United States Institute of Peace (USIP) hosted a dialogue on war legacies and peace in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia in Washington DC. The dialogue was held to promote the settlement of war consequences and further strengthen the US’s relationships with Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia amid new opportunities. Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Nguyen Quoc Dung attended and spoke at the first Ambassador-level Dialogue with the Lao and Cambodian Ambassadors on overcoming the consequences of the US war in Indochina.
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| Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Dung with Lao Ambassador Sisavath Inphachanh and Cambodian Ambassador to the United States Keo Chhea at the Ambassador-level Roundtable Dialogue on overcoming the consequences of the US war in Indochina. (Photo: WVR) |
Multilateral activities
On October 11, the UN General Assembly elected 14 countries as members of the UN Human Rights Council for the term 2023-2025, including Vietnam. Vietnam is unanimously supported by members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) as the only candidate of ASEAN for this position and also is the only Asian candidate of the Francophone Community.
Vietnam’s election to the Human Rights Council, the agency of the top importance of the United Nations, demonstrates the international community's recognition for Vietnam's efforts and achievements in a better assurance of the people’s rights in all fields.
On October 14, member nations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) pledge efforts to promote a nuclear-free Southeast Asia. At a recent meeting of the First Committee (Disarmament and International Security) of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said that ASEAN has recently adopted an action programme for 2023-2027 to achieve this goal, affirming that ASEAN supports international efforts towards a world free of nuclear weapons.
On October 13, receiving Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang at the UN headquarters, Secretary-General of the United Nations (UN) Antonio Guterres congratulated Vietnam on its election to the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, noting his belief that Vietnam will maintain active and effective contributions to the promotion and protection of human rights.
On October 12, at a joint meeting of the 77th session of the UN General Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee in New York, on behalf of ASEAN, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, stressed that the ASEAN will continue to make strong commitments and contributions to joint efforts in the work and cooperate with the international community in realising sustainable development goals regarding poverty reduction, sustainable development and food security for all.
On October 10 and 12, in light of recent situation in Ukraine, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) held resumed Eleventh Emergency Special Session on the situation in Ukraine. Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the UN stated that Viet Nam call for the exercise of utmost restraint, immediate cessation of hostilities, as well as avoiding actions that may further escalate the situation. “We also call for an early resumption of dialogue and negotiations with a view to achieving a comprehensive solution acceptable to all, taking into account the legitimate interests and concerns of all parties, in accordance with international law and the Charter of the United Nations. It is also important to ensure safety and security for the people and critical civilian infrastructure, including nuclear facilities,” he stressed.
On October 10, during a general debate of the UN General Assembly’s Disarmament and International Security Committee (First Committee), Vietnam appealed to countries to augment international efforts in disarmament and non-proliferation. This is an important annual meeting of the 1st Committee, with the participation of nearly 140 UN member states and observers. Most participants shared the view that international security is facing many unpredictable challenges such as armed conflicts, risks of nuclear threats and use, and risks of weapons falling into the hands of terrorist groups and crime gangs or used for illegal purposes.
On October 14, during a debate of the UN General Assembly’s Economic and Financial Committee discussed the operation of the UN Development System, Minister Counsellor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), called for international efforts to ensure financing for the UN development system’s operation.
On October 13, attending a session of the 77th UN General Assembly’s Special Political and Decolonisation Committee (Fourth Committee), Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Tra, Deputy Head of the Vietnamese Delegation to the UN emphasised the importance of decolonisation and respect for equal rights and self-determination of peoples in non-self-governing territories.
On October 10, at a meeting of the Economic and Financial Committee of the 77th session of the United Nations General Assembly, Vietnam called for a comprehensive approach in addressing challenges relating to climate change, environment and bio-diversity. Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam at the UN, suggested that ahead of the upcoming relevant meetings of the UN, countries should work to ensure pragmatic progress in the implementation of international commitments.
On October 11, Vietnam’s Permanent Delegation to UNESCO and its Embassy in France held a ceremony at the UN body’s headquarters in Paris to honour President Ho Chi Minh, a great man of peace and culture. This is part of the activities in celebration of the 35th anniversary of the adoption of UNESCO Resolution 24C/18.65 honouring the late President, held by the Foreign Ministry and relevant agencies at home and abroad. Assistant to the Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang highlighted the significance of the resolution, affirming that the adoption is a recognition of President Ho Chi Minh’s great contributions to the common struggle of the world's people against oppression and injustice, for national independence and social progress; and honours noble ideals, cultural identity and aspirations of the late leader in particular and the Vietnamese people for a world of peace, equality and happiness.
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| UNESCO Director General Audrey Azoulay and Assistant to the Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang at the event. (Photo: VNA) |
On October 11, Ambassador, Head of the Vietnamese Mission to Belgium and to the European Union (EU) Nguyen Van Thao attended the memorial service for Mr. Mauro Petriccione, former Director General of the Department of Climate Action (DG CLIMA) ), formerly Deputy Director General of the Department of Trade (DG TRADE), Head of the negotiating team for the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), who passed away on August 23, 2022.
Other activities
On October 14 and 15, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) delegation led by Politburo member, Chairman of the Central Theory Council and President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) Nguyen Xuan Thang, has had meetings with representatives from a number of political parties, agencies and localities in Japan.
On October 12, US Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Joseph Kritenbrink had a meeting with the Diplomatic Academy of Management and students on the topic: "Asia-Pacific Strategy and Asia-Pacific Economic Dimension."
On October 11, in Hanoi, the 16th Meeting of the Experts' Working Group on Peacekeeping Operations (EWG PKO) Cycle 4 for the 2021-2023 period took place via video conference. Delegates focused their discussions on issues related to “Action for Peacekeeping” Plus (A4P); effective coordination among UN member countries; and activities will be held in Cycle 4 such as the 17th meeting of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) EWG on peacekeeping operations.
