Review on external affairs from Sept.12-18: Cambodian NA President’s visit to Vietnam; deepening ties with Australia, New Zealand

At the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the Cambodian Natiobnal Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin paid an official visit to Vietnam. (Photo: VNA)

Leaders’ activities

From September 12-14, at the invitation of National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President of the Cambodian National Assembly Samdech Heng Samrin paid an official visit to Vietnam.

This is an important political and diplomatic activity between the two National Assemblies of Vietnam and Cambodia in the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2022 and in celebration of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries (June 24, 1967- 2022).

On September 13, receiving President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always support the cause of national construction and development of Cambodia, highlighted the traditional relations of Vietnam and Cambodia as two close neighbours and brothers. General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong also underscored the importance of the relationship between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, wished that the three countries work together to preserve and foster the development of their relationship for the prosperity of each country, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

On the same day, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc expressed his delight at the growing ties between Vietnam and Cambodia, suggested two sides maintain the exchange of high-level visits and cooperation mechanisms via all channels. The President said both sides are striving to accelerate the border demarcation to build a borderline of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development. The Vietnamese President wished the two legislatures will further uphold their role to make laws, thus facilitating bilateral ties in various areas, especially connecting the two economies, enhancing education and raising public awareness of bilateral traditional ties, particularly among the young generations.

On September 13, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin expressed their satisfaction of the stable development of the bilateral relations. They noted that leaders of Vietnam and Cambodia have maintained frequent meetings and discussions while bilateral cooperation mechanisms have continued to prove effective, helping sustain cooperation momentum in various fields.

Notably, despite the COVID-19 pandemic’s impacts over the last two years, economic partnership has generated encouraging outcomes. Bilateral trade approximated 10 billion USD in 2021 and surpassed 7 billion USD in the first seven months of 2022, up 17.8% year on year. Vietnam currently has 188 valid investment projects worth 2.8 billion USD in Cambodia, ranking first among members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and fifth among all foreign direct investors in there.

On September 12, after the welcome ceremony, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with President of the Cambodian NA Samdech Heng Samrin. They agreed to maintain the exchange of all-level visits to increase mutual trust, effectively implement signed agreements and national defense-security cooperation plans.

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested both sides soon complete the drafting of Master Plan for linking Vietnamese and Cambodian economies till 2030, sign a border trade agreement, effectively carry out the Memorandum of Understanding on border trade infrastructure connectivity and development, the Agreement on Investment Encouragement and Protection, and the Agreement on Double Taxation Avoidance.

On September 16, at the Presidential Palace, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for a number of international scientists and Nobel laureates who came Vietnam to attend the “Science, Ethics and Human Development” conference within the framework of the 13th Meet Vietnam programme.

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc meets with international scientists and Nobel laureates who came Vietnam to attend the “Science, Ethics and Human Development” conference within the framework of the 13th Meet Vietnam programme. (Photo: VNA)

On September 17, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a hybrid meeting with foreign-invested enterprises and business associations, pledged to create favourable conditions for FDI enterprises to invest successfully and sustainably in Vietnam. Vietnam will create a safe and transparent environment and favourable conditions for foreign investors to make long-term investments in the country in the spirit of equality; mutual development and benefit; responsibility for society, employees, and the environment, Prime Minister Chinh affirmed.

On September 14, receiving Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Hayashi Nobumitsu, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described Japan as a leading important economic partner of Vietnam. The Prime Minister also hailed Japan as the top bilateral supplier of official development assistance (ODA), the second biggest labour cooperation partner, the third biggest investor and the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam.

On September 12, receiving Singaporean Deputy PM and Coordinating Minister for Economic Policies Heng Swee Keat, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has affirmed that Singapore is one of the effective and practical partners of Vietnam in the region, especially in economy, trade, investment and education-training; suggested the two countries’ relevant agencies work closely together to restructure supply chain and ensure cyber security in the process of digital economic development. The Prime Minister pledged to offer all possible support to Singaporean firms to do business in Vietnam and suggested developing the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park model towards a green, smart, hi-tech and innovative industrial zone.

On the same day, Politburo member, Permanent member of the Party Central Committee's Secretariat, Vo Van Thuong told visiting Singaporean Deputy PM Heng Swee Keat that the Vietnamese Party and Government always attach importance to promoting the strategic partnership with Singapore.

On September 12, at the Government Guest House, Deputy Prime Minister Le Minh Khai hold talks with Deputy PM Heng Swee Keat. The two officials shared the view that their strategic partnership has been growing in various areas. Despite COVID-19, two-way trade surged by 23.3% annually to 8.3 billion USD in 2021. Singapore remained the biggest ASEAN investor in Vietnam with 2,959 valid projects worth 69.8 billion USD, and the Vietnam-Singapore industrial parks (VSIPs) have become a successful model of bilateral economic cooperation.

On September 16, at the invitation of the Chinese Government, Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh delivered a pre-recorded speech at the opening of the 19th ASEAN-China Expo (CAEXPO) and the 19th China-ASEAN Business Investment Summit (CABIS) in Nanning, the capital city of China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region. The Deputy PM hailed the important achievements that the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and China have gained over the years, especially the establishment of a comprehensive strategic partnership for peace, security, prosperity and sustainable development.

Activities of the Foreign Affairs Minister

From September 13-15, at the invitation of Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong and New Zealand Foreign Minister Nanaia Mahuta, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid an official visit to Australia and co-chaired the fourth Vietnam-Australia Ministerial Meeting from September 10-13, official visit to New Zealand and co-chaired the first Vietnam-New Zealand Foreign Ministers Meeting. Minister Bui Thanh Son's Oceania tour is Vietnam's first ministerial visit to Australia and New Zealand since these countries reopened after Covid-19.

In Canberra, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a courtesy call to Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, co-chaired the fourth Vietnam-Australia Foreign Ministers Meeting with his counterpart Penny Wong; visited the Vietnamese Embassy and attended the 77th National Day Celebration.

Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong affirmed that the relationship between Australia and Vietnam is underpinned by their close economic and trade links, growing peacekeeping relationship, and longstanding people-to-people ties.

Australian Minister of Foreign Affairs Penny Wong (L) and Vietnamese counterpart Bui Thanh Son. (Photo: VNA)

In Wellington, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son paid a courtesy call to National Assembly Speaker Adrian Rurawhe, and chaired the first Vietnam-New Zealand Foreign Ministers Meeting with his counterpart Nanaia Mahuta. The meeting was in line with the Action Plan to deploy the Vietnam-New Zealand Strategic Partnership for the 2021-2024 period.

According to New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son's official visit to New Zealand is a precious opportunity to take stock of the progress, which the two countries have made since becoming Strategic Partners, and to provide future direction.

New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Tredene Dobson with Vietnamese media.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Nguyen Van Trung has said Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son’s official visit to New Zealand is a chance to review their strategic partnership, and set out measures to beef up multifaceted cooperation in line with regional and international developments

Bilateral activities

On September 16, receiving Mr. Abdulla Al Zamil, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Zamil Industrial Investment Group (Zamil Industrial), Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Hieu affirmed that the success of Zamil Steel Vietnam in the past 25 years is proof for economic cooperation for mutual benefit between Vietnam and Saudi Arabia.

On September 15, speaking at a reception on the occasion of the 212th anniversary of Mexico's National Day (September 16, 1810- 2022), Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc emphasized that Mexico is currently one of the Vietnam's largest trading partners in Latin America.

On September 14, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Hang received a delegation from the US Department of State led by Ms. Emily Blanchard, Under Secretary for Economic Development, Energy and Environment and Chief Economist of the US Department of State and Mr. Tony Fernandes, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for Trade Policy and Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs.

From September 15-16, at the invitation of Premier Jeremy Rockliff, Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia Nguyen Tat Thanh paid an official visit to Tasmania state, southern Australia, to strengthen connection and expand cooperation in areas of mutual interest.

On September 13, the Consulate General of Vietnam in Fukuoka (Japan) debuted a new website, aiming to meet the increasing demand of foreign affairs and the Vietnamese community in the Kyushu-Okinawa region. The website, https://vnconsulate-fukuoka.org, was launched with the support of FPT Japan Holdings.

On September 16, Ambassador of Vietnam to Armenia Dang Minh Khoi presented the Credentials Letter of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc to Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan at the Armenian President Palace.

On September 16, Ambassador Do Duc Thanh presented his Credentials Letter to Romanian President Klaus-Werner Iohannis.

On September 17, Ambassador Phung The Long presented the Letter of Credentials to His Royal Highness Prince Alois of the Principality of Liechtenstein.

Multilateral activities

According to the decision of the Council of the International Seabed Authority (ISA), Prof. Dr. Dao Viet Ha, Director of Institute of Oceanography, a candidate from Vietnam, has been elected as a member of the Legal and Technical Commission (LTC) for the term 2023-2027.

From September 13-14, Vice Chairman of the NA Committee for Foreign Affairs Don Tuan Phong led a delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) to attend the third Regional Seminar for the Asia Pacific Region Parliaments on Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in Islamabad, Pakistan. This year’s event followed the success of the first seminar launched by the IPU and the Vietnamese NA in Ho Chi Minh City in May 2017 and the second hosted by the Mongolian NA in Ulan Bator in May 2019.

The 14th Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam Economic Ministers' Meeting (CLMV-EMM 14) attended by Ministers, Heads of delegations from Cambodia - Laos - Myanmar - Vietnam and representatives of the ASEAN Secretariat, was chaired by Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien. CLMV-EMM 14 applauded important discussions related to economic cooperation and development orientations among CLMV countries, including the approval of the CLMV Action Plan for the 2023-2024 period. The CLMV-EMM 14, took place in the framework of the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM-54) in Cambodia's Siem Reap province from September 11-18, 2022.

From September 11-18, the 54th ASEAN Economic Ministers' Meeting (AEM 54) and related meetings were focusing on regional growth, post-pandemic economic recovery and trade partnership with leading economies. ASEAN Economic Ministers hold discussion with partners, including those from China, the Republic of Korea, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, the US, Canada and Russia, as well as others in the framework of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) and the East Asia Summit (EAS). Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the event.

On September 12 (local time), Ambassador Le Thi Tuyet Mai, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva, attended the opening ceremony of the 51st session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, Switzerland. Ambassador Mai congratulated Volker Türk for his appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights, and affirmed Vietnam’s support for and cooperation with the High Commissioner and his Office.

Other activities

Last week, many Vietnamese representative missions abroad continued to organize activities to celebrate the 77th National Day of Vietnam (September 2, 1945-2022).

On September 14, in Geneva, the Permanent Delegation of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and other international organisations in Geneva held a ceremony marking the 77th anniversary of National Day of Vietnam and the 45th anniversary of Vietnam’s entry to the UN.

On September 15, at a ceremony hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy to mark Vietnam’s 77th National Day in Paris, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Dinh Toan Thang said dialogue, solidarity and cooperation are an important foundation of the Vietnam-France relations.

On September 16 (Vietnam time), at the reception marking Vietnam’s 77th National Day in Washington DC, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung said Vietnam has recorded important progress in its relations with the US. The event had the presence of representatives from the US Government and Congress, the diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organisations, businesses and the Vietnamese community.

Participants also included Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and President and CEO of the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) Ted Osius, both ever served as US Ambassadors to Vietnam.

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