Strengthening comprehensive diplomacy for the development of Vietnam
WVR - After two years of a interval of traditional diplomatic activities due to the impact of the COVD-19 pandemic, over the recent few months, the exchange of high-level delegations between Vietnam and other countries and partners has gradually came back to vibrant, demonstrating the increase in exchanges and international cooperation in the post pandemic period of jointly recovery and development.
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| US President Joe Biden welcomes Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in Washington D.C on May 12. (Photo: VNA) |
In the middle of May 2022, we witnessed a series of important foreign affairs activities between Vietnam and other countries. This is the process of vividly implementing the foreign policy outlined by the 13th National Party Congress, in order to realize the external task to serve the development and national defense of the country, especially in the context of the post COVID-19 pandemic recovery.
It is the trip by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to attend the ASEAN-US Special Summit and to pay a working visit to the US and the United Nations (May 11-17); the visit by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Laos (May 15-17). These are the visits to Vietnam by Greek President Katrina Sakellaropoulou (May 15-19) and by Singaporean Parliament Speaker Tan Chuan-Jin (May 18-20).
Making a driving force in the United States of America
This is Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's first visit to the United States since the 13th National Party Congress, and also the first ASEAN foreign affairs activity to take place outside the region since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The visit is of special significance to implement the foreign policy of the Party and State; contributing to affirm the consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations defined at the 13th National Party Congress.
The high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh participated proactively, extensively, and made important and responsible contributions to the overall success of the ASEAN-US Special Summit, both in discussion as well as drafting documents.
Attending all activities within the framework of the Special Summit, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh shared his views on the development orientation of ASEAN-US relations and the international and regional situation, which have been highly appreciated.
The outstanding outcome of the Summit was the Joint Vision Statement of the ASEAN-U.S Special Summit 2022, which reflects the outcomes achieved over the past 45 years, and the agreement to elevate the relationship between ASEAN and the US to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in November.
The important contribution to the success of the Summit affirmed Vietnam's position and responsibility in ASEAN and at the same time upheld the central position and role of ASEAN, contributing to the promotion of cooperation with the United States.
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| The ASEAN-US Special Summit in Washington D.C. (Photo: VNA) |
To promote bilateral relations, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a discussion with President Joe Biden within the framework of the ASEAN-US Special Summit; met a number of high-ranking US politicians, including President Pro Tempore of the US Senate Patrick Leahy, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and Treasury Secretary Janet L. Yellen.
In particular, the two sides treat each other with respect, equality, and build a relationship that is increasingly substantive, in-depth, and more effective, in the spirit of mutual respect, equality and trust.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also attended a conference with US businesses and met leaders of the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the World Bank (WB) and many other investors.
Through activities, the visit has created a driving force to promote the Vietnam-US Comprehensive Partnership to develop with effectiveness, in-depth and long-term stability in all fields: political-diplomatic, economic-trade-investment, science-technology, education-training, overcoming war consequences...
In New York, the Vietnamese Head of the Government had meetings with UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed, UNICEF Executive Director Catherine Russell, President of the UN General Assembly Abdulla Shahid, Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme Achim Steiner, visited the Permenent Mission of Vietnam to the UN…
These meetings contributed to strengthening the comprehensive and effective cooperation relationship between Vietnam and the UN in the context of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of the partnership relationship (1977-2022), and at the same time took advantage of the UN's active support for Vietnam in fields of its great concern, such as sustainable socio-economic development, post-pandemic resilience, response to climate change, implementation of sustainable development goals (SDGs), deploying peacekeeping operations…
On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with officials and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in the United States and other representative agencies, received representatives of the Vietnamese community in the East Coast of the United States.
Expressing sympathy, shared compassion with compatriots while far from home, the Prime Minister expressed his care for the Vietnamese community in the United States, wishing that overseas Vietnamese would continue to attache with the country and have practical and effective contribution for country’s socio-economic development and national defense.
The message throughout the trip was Vietnam's strong commitment and positive contribution to peace and stability in the world, which was appreciated by the US political establishment, academics, diplomatic corps and the international community.
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| Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh delivering a speech at the CSIS in Washington D.C. (Photo: VNA) |
This message was clearly conveyed in Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh's speech at the US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS). The Prime Minister shared Vietnam's view of the world today; the role of sincerity, trust and responsibility in today's volatile world; what needs to be done to show sincerity, increase trust and responsibility, for a better world.
The Prime Minister affirmed that Vietnam always adheres to the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, friendship, cooperation and development, diversification and multilateralisation, is a good friend and a reliable partner with other countries in the world, and is a responsible member of the international community. Vietnam has always shown sincerity, consistency and transparency in formulating and implementing that policy line.
Within a week of the working visit to the United States, with a busy schedule in the US largest cities, including Washington D.C., Boston, New York, San Francisco, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a completely successful trip, made a contribution to promoting and improving the efficiency of external affairs and international integration, thereby creating and maintaining a peaceful and stable environment, mobilizing external resources for development, enhancing the position and reputation of the country.
| Virginia B. Foote, Vice President of the US-Viet Nam Trade Council (USVTC) held that Prime Minister Chinh’s speech at the US Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is “very significant to the United States. You also see a lot of people watching live. The speech clearly reflects the path of Vietnam-US cooperation. The Prime Minister touched upon a host of major issues like climate change, digital transformation and economic cooperation in Asia-Pacific. It is a wonderful speech for Viet Nam-US relations in the future.” |
The “far away but close” relationship Vietnam-Greece
The visit to Vietnam by Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou (May 15-19) takes place in the context of the traditional friendship between the two countries has been developing well, especially since President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Greece and President Karolos Papoulias' visit to Vietnam in 2008, as well as the recent visits of Greek Foreign Minister Nikos Kozias to Vietnam (2017), Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (2018) and Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan to Greece (11/2021).
As the first visit of a Head of State of an European Union (EU) member to Vietnam since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, the visit of President Katerina Sakellaropoulou affirms that Greece attaches importance to the increasingly significant role of Vietnam in the region and in the world.
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| President Nguyen Xuan Phuc welcomes Greek President Katerina Sakellaropoulou at the Presidential Palace. (Photo: Anh Son) |
During the visit, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou had a meeting with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, held talks with President Nguyen Xuan Phuc, met with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, and attended the tea party hosted by Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan.
At the meetings, President Katerina Sakellaropoulou highly appreciated the important achievements in all aspects that Vietnam has achieved in the cause of fighting for independence in the past as well as today's socio-economic development.
The two sides agreed upon measures to promote cooperation between the two countries, agreed to maintain contacts and increase exchanges of delegations, not only at high level but also at the levels of ministries, branches, localities and businesses of the two countries.
In order to create momentum for the post COVID-19 pandemic recovery, the two sides agreed to make efforts to promote mutually beneficial economic relations and create conditions for businesses of the two countries to increase contact, exchange experiences and connect partners, focusing on the fields that Vietnam has needs and Greece has strengths such as shipbuilding, ship repair, shipping services, energy, agriculture... The two sides agreed to promote negotiations to complete the legal framework of the Agreement on Avoidance of Double Taxation and the Agreement on Maritime Transport.
The leaders of Vietnam and Greece agreed to step up bilateral cooperation in other fields such as defense, security, culture, education, sports, tourism and people-to-people exchanges; strengthening coordination and mutual support at international forums and affirming the importance of maintaining peace, developing cooperation, upholding international law, including the United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) 1982.
The Head of State of an EU member affirms that Greece supports Vietnam to further strengthen its comprehensive partnership and cooperation with the EU, exploiting the great potential of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), contributing to the strong growth of trade between the two countries.
It can be said that the visit of the female President of Greece has contributed to strengthening political trust, deepening cooperation in many fields such as politics-diplomacy, economy, culture, tourism, etc., and brought the bilateral relationship into more effective practice.
The visit is a vivid demonstration of the "far away but close" Vietnam-Greece friendship, thereby affirming that despite the geographical distance, the two countries share many common values.
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| Greek Ambassador to Vietnam Georgios Stilianopoulos: “Despite the geographical distance, the two countries have made efforts during the past 47 years, since the establishment of diplomatic relations, to build bridges and maintain substantive and constructive relations, in order to achieve an important development in bilateral cooperation and successfully conclude a number of agreements and economic contracts.” (Photo: WVR) |
Close Vietnam-Laos camaraderie and brotherhood
The Lao visit by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (May 15-17) is the first official visit of a key Vietnamese leader to the Lao PDR in the Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 and also the first time that Vuong Dinh Hue has made an official visit to the Lao PDR as Chairman of the National Assembly of Vietnam.
For Laos, this is the first foreign National Assembly Chairman's official visit since the 11th National Party Congress and after the first session of the 9th National Assembly of Laos.
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue arrives in Vientiane, Laos. (Photo: VNA) |
Within the framework of the visit, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue paid a courtesy call to General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith; meeting with Lao Prime Minister Phankham Viphavanh; held talks with National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihan, co-chaired a workshop on sharing experiences on mechanisms and policies for socio-economic recovery and development post COVID-19 pandemic; received Minister of Technology and Communications, Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara and Finance Minister Bounchom Oubonpaserth.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue also visited former General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith; visited Champasak province; visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Laos and had cordial meetings with the Vietnamese community and representatives of the Vietnamese business community in Laos…
The high-level exchange visits between the leaders of Vietnam and Laos always bear the close and warm atmosphere of "a friend coming over to your home", of unique friendship with the greetings spoken by the word "comrades" and the smiles beamed with so much trust and sharing... The three days of being in a friend’s country of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue are no exception.
In a letter to Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane, on behalf of the high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly of Vietnam and in his personal name, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sincerely thanks for the respectful and thoughtful reception with a close camaraderie and brotherhood that the Lao side reserved for the Vietnamese National Assembly delegation.
Although the stay was not long, the Chairman of the National Assembly highly appreciated the outcome of the visit. The two sides exchanged views in a very sincere, open and trustworthy manner, in order to contribute to the increasing development of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people of the two countries in general, the relationship between the two National Assemblies in particular, bringing with fruitfull achievements and sustainable growth.
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (L) paid a courtesy call to Party General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith. (Photo: VNA) |
Facing the current complicated developments of the international and regional situation, the leaders of the two countries have seen more clearly the value of maintaining and cultivating a unique, faithful and close-knit neighborly relationship, for the security and development of Vietnam and Laos. It is considered as the law of development, of vital significance, as one of the decisive factors to ensure the victory of each country's revolutionary cause.
In the coming time, both Vietnam and Laos need to bring into full play the tradition of close and reliable cooperation; together seriously implement high-level agreements; make efforts to strengthen and further improve the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation in all fields, for the practical benefit of the two peoples; jointly promote and find solutions to effectively handle problems of important cooperation projects, especially the projects of transport connection infrastructure...
| “This official visit to Laos by National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is of historical significance, for Vietnam and Laos to continue to consolidate and strengthen the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, meeting the expectations of the people of the two countries, contributing to peace, security, stability and development cooperation in Asia." (Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung). |
In parliamentary cooperation, the leaders of the two countries agreed to continue the coordination and monitoring, thus contributing to the effective implementation of bilateral agreements; strengthening the sharing of experiences, especially the building and improving institutions, the legal system and supreme supervision of the activities of State agencies.
In the multilateral arena, the two National Assemblies strive to closely cooperate and support each other at regional and international parliamentary forums, such as the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), Francophone Parliamentary Union (APF)…; closely coordinate in international and regional issues, for peace, stability, cooperation and development.
Promoting the Vietnam-Singapore Strategic Partnership
Returning from Laos, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue welcomed an important guest from the "Lion island nation" - Singapore.
The visit to Vietnam from May 18-20 by Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin is of particular significance, thereby deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries and concretizing agreements on the occasion of President Nguyen Xuan Phuc's state visit to Singapore at the end of February, making contributions to tightening ties between the two countries' senior leaders.
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| Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (right) hosts a reception for Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA) |
In particular, the visit is even more meaningful in the context of the two countries actively preparing for the 50th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2023) and the 10th Anniversary of the establishment of bilateral strategic cooperation (2013-2023). It is the time to review and celebrate the successes achieved, and at the same time to look forward for opportunities to promote further cooperation between the two countries, including people-to-people exchanges.
| “The visit to Vietnam by Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin is of particular significance, deepening the Strategic Partnership between the two countries.” (Vietnam Ambassador to Singapore Mai Phuoc Dung) |
In recent years, the two parliamentary organs regularly exchange delegations at all levels to share the legislative and supervisory experiences. In November 2017, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan had an official visit to Singapore.
In the past two years, due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, the direct exchange of delegations between the two parliamentary organs was interrupted. However, leaders and working levels of the two parliamentary organs have still maintained regular exchange through various forms such as phone calls and online talks.
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Thus, May, a month of "bountiful harvest" of Vietnam's foreign affairs with successful high-level delegations coming in and going out, reflects more clearly a seamless, non-stop two-way flow of diplomatic activities, bearing the image of a friendly and open-minded Vietnam, with an aspiration for post COVID-19 pandemic resilience and recovery.
(Source: TGVN)
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