Day: September 14, 2022

Ambassador Lê Thị Tuyết Mai, Permanent Representative of Việt Nam 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 on September 12 (local time).

Mai congratulated Volker Türk for his appointment as High Commissioner for Human Rights, and affirmed Việt Nam’s support for and cooperation with the High Commissioner and his Office.

She shared the office’s concerns over three major global challenges which have huge impacts on the enjoyment of human rights, namely climate change, environmental pollution, and biodiversity degradation. She called on the international community to act more urgently to respond to these challenges.

The Vietnamese representative emphasised that the UN Human Rights Council and the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights should respect the diverse historical and socio-cultural conditions of countries, promote constructive dialogue and cooperation to protect and promote human rights in accordance with fundamental human rights principles, including universality, objectivity, impartiality and non-selectivity.

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Acting High Commissioner for Human Rights Nada Al Nashif delivered the Office’s report on the world’s human rights situation.

She called on countries to intensify coordination at multilateral forums, enhance political commitments to implementing international human rights standards, and uphold the role of international conventions and mechanisms, while asserting the council’s central role in enhancing international solidarity for peace, stability, justice and comprehensive and effective protection and promotion of human rights.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bùi Thanh Sơn and his New Zealand counterpart Nanaia Mahuta co-chaired the first face-to-face meeting of the annual foreign ministers’ meeting (FMM) on Wednesday under an action plan to implement the Viêt Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership framework for 2021-2024.

The meeting was held right after an official welcome was held for Minister Sơn, who is on an official visit to New Zealand at the invitation of the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs Mahuta.

This is Sơn’s first official visit to the nation and the first ministerial visit by a Southeast Asian country to New Zealand since it opened its borders on August 1.

New Zealand Minister Mahuta praised the implementation of the two countries’ foreign ministers’ meeting mechanism, which boosts the Việt Nam-New Zealand strategic partnership in bilateral cooperation fields and regional and international forums.

Minister Sơn said that Việt Nam always attached great importance to enhancing the friendship with New Zealand – a strategic partner of both Việt Nam in the South Pacific region and ASEAN.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed the Việt Nam-New Zealand relations have seen practical progress in all fields since the two countries upgraded their relations to a strategic partnership in July 2020.

Despite difficulties caused by COVID-19, the two countries maintained exchanges of delegations, helping to promote political trust and keep the pace of comprehensive cooperation. Two-way trade turnover between the two countries increased 26.7 per cent to reach US$1.3 billion in 2021 compared to 2020. In addition, new Zealand committed to providing $16 million worth of Offical Development Assistance for Việt Nam from July 2021 to June 2024.

Other fields of cooperation such as national security and defence, education and training and agriculture were also promoted.

The two ministers agreed much potential and opportunities for cooperation between the two countries remain. They discussed measures to deepen bilateral relations in all fields, including continuing to enhance political trust, promoting cooperation in economy and trade and tapping opportunities from current economic cooperation mechanisms. They also hope to more effectively implement new-generation trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Discussing the accessibility of products to each country’s market, Minister Sơn proposed New Zealand create more conditions for Vietnamese products to be exported to New Zealand.

Sơn thanked New Zealand for providing the Offical Development Assistance (ODA) to Việt Nam, helping the country to implement sustainable development goals over the past years. He said he hoped that New Zealand would continue offering the ODA to Việt Nam to support the country in sustainable agriculture, climate change adaptation, healthcare and innovation.

New Zealand Minister Mahuta agreed to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest and do business in New Zealand.

Regarding cooperation in labour, tourism and people-to-people exchange, the two ministers discussed the increase of quotas for Vietnamese citizens to participate in the New Zealand working holiday programme and resume direct flights between the two countries.

Concerning cooperation in security and national defence, the top New Zealand diplomat agreed to support Việt Nam in training peacekeeping forces, cooperate in fighting against transnational crimes, and share experience in natural disaster prevention and control and search and rescue works.

Regarding new fields of cooperation, the two sides said it is necessary to study and promote fields that match the two countries’ potential, demand and goals, such as climate change adaptation, forest preservation and development, sustainable agricultural development, fishing cooperation and fishing cooperation and maritime environmental protection.

The two ministers also discussed regional and international issues of common concerns and agreed to continue coordinating and supporting each other at multilateral organisations and forums, particularly the United Nations and the ASEAN.

The two sides shared a stance of ensuring peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in the region based on the rule of law and handling of issues, including the East Sea issue, following international laws.

Foreign minister Mahuta said that New Zealand attaches importance to the strategic partnership with ASEAN and will support sub-regional mechanisms, including in the Mekong region.

Earlier the same day, Minister Sơn met Speaker of the New Zealand House of Representatives Adrian Rurawhe.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang attended the annual meeting among the defence ministers of Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in Vientiane on September 14 to strengthen the countries’ defence ties.

Minister Giang and his counterparts Chansamone Chanyalath from Laos and Tea Banh from Cambodia discussed the regional and international issues of common concern; cooperation orientations for the time ahead, including increasing all-level mutual visits, holding joint search and rescue exercises, and coordinating to combat transnational crimes; and sharing information about hostile forces sabotaging their countries.

The Vietnamese official recommended the three defence ministries step up sharing their strategic visions; maintain the annual meeting among the three defence ministers; and enhance the three militaries’ coordination in responding to non-traditional security challenges.

He also called for more attention to educating the three countries’ militaries and people, especially the young, on the significance of the Vietnam – Laos – Cambodia solidarity; and for further mutual support at international and regional forums, especially mechanisms in ASEAN such as the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM) and the ADMM Plus, thus promoting the stature and role of each nation.

On this occasion, Minister Giang invited his Lao and Cambodian counterparts to attend an international defence exhibition to be held by the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in Hanoi this December.

Earlier the same day, the high-ranking military delegation of Vietnam took part in a ceremony marking the Laos – Vietnam, Vietnam – Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022 held by the Lao Ministry of National Defence.

Lao Defence Minister Chansamone Chanyalath reviewed the glorious history of the two countries’ relations, founded by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh, Kaysone Phomvihane, and Souphanouvong. He also expressed his deep gratitude to the Vietnamese and Lao officials, Party members, soldiers, and people who fell down for the sake of the two countries’ revolutions.

In his remarks, Giang thanked the Lao Party, people, and army for providing conditions for the search for and repatriation of Vietnam’s volunteer soldiers and experts.

He affirmed that the Defence Ministry of Vietnam will always stand side by side with its Lao counterpart during the national development and defence in each country.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Vietnamese Government appreciated the contributions of the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Association (TVFA) and five Thai corporations as well as their efforts to call for donations of medical equipment and materials to Vietnam during the fight against COVID-19 last year, said Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Phan Chi Thanh.

Thanh made the statement during a ceremony in Bangkok on September 14 to present the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ certificates of merit to the TVFA and Thai corporations, including Thai Beverage, SCG, Berli Jucker, Amata Vietnam and B.Grimm Power, in recognition of their assistance in calling for medical equipment and supplies in the fight against COVID-19 in Vietnam in 2021, when the two countries celebrated the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The awardees pledged to invest in projects in Vietnam with the highest sense of responsibility to bring benefits to its people, thus contributing to economic and trade ties between the two nations.

TVFA Vice President Prapas Vipobsophon said the association always facilitates trade and investment between the two countries’ people and joins hands with the Association of Thai People of Vietnamese origin in Thailand to reinforce the friendship between the Thai and Vietnamese governments and people.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

The Party and State of Vietnam always pay attention to and create the best possible conditions for young people of the two countries to exchange, cooperate, enhance mutual understanding, and develop together, said a Vietnamese Party official.

Politburo member and Standing member of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Secretariat Vo Van Thuong made the statement while receiving a delegation of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) in Hanoi on September 14. The LPRYU delegation was in Vietnam to attend the two countries’ youth friendship meeting and the “Following Leaders’ Footprints” project.

Monxay Laomuasong, alternate member of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and Secretary of the LPRYU Central Committee, informed his host about outcomes of the cooperation agreement between the two youth unions.

He affirmed that the LPRYU will keep close coordination with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union to carry out directions issued by the countries’ leaders, educate the young on traditional Vietnam – Laos relations, increase mutual assistance, and intensify the unions’ cooperation in a practical and effective manner, thus contributing to relations between the two Parties, countries and peoples.

Speaking highly of the unions’ ties, Thuong said the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos founded by late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane and nurtured by generations of the countries’ leaders and people, is a priceless common asset.

The mission of the youth unions of Vietnam and Laos is to maintain, nurture and continue developing this special and faithful solidarity, he emphasised.

The official added amid the complicated global and regional situation, it is even more important for the unions to stay united, work more closely together, continue their reforms in a dynamic and creative way, and share experience to further contribute to the development of each nation as well as bilateral relations.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Politburo member, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and Chairwoman of its Organisation Commission Truong Thi Mai has wrapped up her official visit to Japan.

Mai, who is also Chairwoman of the Vietnam – Japan Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group, previously met with President of the Liberal Democratic Party of Japan (LDP) and Prime Minister Kishida Fumio; Chairman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party Central Committee Shii Kazuo; Chief Representative of the New Komeito Party Natsuo Yamaguchi; Secretary General of the LDP Motegi Toshimitsu and President of the National Personnel Authority of Japan Kawamoto Yuko.

Meeting with PM Fumio and leaders of the political parties of Japan, Mai expressed her delight at the comprehensive and practical development of Vietnam – Japan ties within the framework of the bilateral extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia, especially high political trust which has been increasingly consolidated via regular high-level exchanges.

Japan is now a top important economic partner of Vietnam, she said, adding that the two sides expanded cooperation in various areas, including national defence-security. Nearly half of million Vietnamese are working and studying in Japan.

The Vietnamese official suggested Japan continue assisting Vietnam in the process of implementing the socio-economic development policy set by the 13th National Party Congress; resume the training of Vietnamese officials at all levels, expand locality-to-locality cooperation, and work closely together on international issues for peace, cooperation and development.

On the occasion, she proposed PM Fumio and leaders of the Japanese political parties continue offering support to the Vietnamese community in Japan.

The host leaders affirmed that Japan considers Vietnam an important partner in its policy in the region.

Agreeing with Mai’s proposals, PM Fumio stressed that cooperation with Vietnam holds significance for Japan and wanted the two sides to further step up bilateral ties in the new situation.

Leaders of the Japanese political parties vowed to keep supporting the development of relations between the two nations and discussed measures to strengthen ties with the CPV.

They also highly evaluated contributions of the Vietnamese community to the economic-cultural and social life of Japan, pledged to continue supporting the community and wished that more Vietnamese students and graduates would come to Japan in the near future.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation visited Yamanasi prefecture, met with Governor Nagasaki Kotaro and toured several local hi-tech agriculture establishments.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam and Laos opened the youth friendship meeting and the “Following leaders’ footprints” programme 2022 in Hanoi on September 14, with the participation of more than 300 youth delegates from Vietnam and over 100 others from Laos.

Bui Quang Huy, First Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCYU) Central Committee, said after a two-year hiatus caused the COVID-19 pandemic, the two programmes have returned, giving the countries’ youngsters a chance to learn the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos and affirm their resolve to help maintain and further strengthen the relations.

The events also provide an occasion for young people to share experience in youth union affairs and children’s movements while stepping up the studying and following of late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane’s ideology, moral examples, and styles among the youth in each country, he noted.

Huy stressed the HCYU attaches special importance to the friendship and cooperation between the countries’ youngsters and acknowledges the need to make stronger efforts to lift this relationship to a new height.

For his part, Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) Central Committee Monxay Laomuasong underlined the significance of the two programmes, during which the two sides will hold talks to exchange experience, discuss the youth situation and related activities, look back on the traditional friendship, and visit the sites of predecessors’ revolutionary activities.

Activities within the programmes will help enhance the special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation, and strategic relations between the two Parties, States, peoples, as well as youth unions, he added.

At the opening ceremony, the LPRYU Central Committee and the HCYU Central Committee were bestowed with the first-class Labour Order of each other’s countries.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh described Japan as a leading important economic partner of Vietnam during a reception in Hanoi on September 14 for Governor of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Hayashi Nobumitsu.

The PM 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.

Japan has so far provided nearly 30 billion USD in ODA for Vietnam while about 350,000 Vietnamese labourers are working in the Asian country. Japan now has 4,873 valid projects worth over 65 billion USD in Vietnam. Two-way trade reached 42.7 billion USD in 2021 and rose by 11.9% annually the first half of this year to 23.4 billion USD, according to the government leader.

Vietnam always regards Japan as a top, long-term strategic partner and supports Japan’s contributions to peace and development in the region and the world as well, he said.

Vietnam is determined to maintain political stability, social safety and order, build a transparent business environment and drastically deal with difficulties faced by Japanese firms, PM Chinh added.

He suggested the Governor continue working closely with Japanese agencies to help Vietnam build a self-reliant and globally integrated economy; enhance policy consultations and workforce training; and promote public-private partnerships in the transition to green and clean energy; build strategic infrastructure, especially transport infrastructure; step up innovation and digital transformation; build a digital government, digital economy and society; and develop supporting industries and equipment production for renewable energy.

The Vietnamese leader proposed JBIC offer more preferential loans to Japanese and Vietnamese enterprises participating in joint projects as agreed by the two PMs, encourage Japanese firms to diversify supply chains to Vietnam, thus helping Vietnam join its supply chains and making Japan the biggest investor in Vietnam soon.

He expects that more priority would be given to Vietnam to deliver on its commitments to reduce greenhouse emissions to zero by 2050 as well as access the 10-billion-USD aid package committed by Japanese PM Kishida Fumio at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

On the occasion, PM Chinh hoped JBIC and the Japanese Government will work with parties concerned to deal with issues related to Nghi Son oil refinery project in the spirit of “harmonised interests, shared risks”.

Agreeing with the PM’s proposals, Nobumitsu hailed Vietnam as an attractive destination for Japanese investors and the top priority of JBIC.

He promised that JBIC and Japan will actively partner with Vietnam in climate change response, especially energy transition and renewable energy development via assistance in terms of capital, technology and workforce training.

The Governor also vowed to work with relevant agencies to deal with issues related to the Nghi Son oil refinery project as directed by the PM, and continue launching practical initiatives to intensify the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership.

Source: Vietnam News Agency