The East Sea issue was once again high on the agenda of the 15th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore as many officials clarified China’s unilateral actions that have provoked tensions and their corollary.

Deputy Minister of Public Security Nguyen Van Thanh stated that Vietnam is ready to send police officers to UN peacekeeping operations, during the first-ever United Nations Police gathering at the UN headquarters in New York on June 3.

 Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh on June 4 held bilateral meetings with representatives from the EU, the United Kingdom and Italy on the sidelines of the 15th Shangri La Dialogue to deepen ties in security and defence.

At a press briefing following talks with US President Barack Obama, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong stated that it is rare for two nations to change from former enemies to become friends after only 20 years of diplomatic relations

 Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 3 for the special envoy of Swedish Prime Minister, Pierre Schori.

 Vietnamese Ambassador to Indonesia Hoang Anh Tuan recently met with Indonesian Minister of Maritime Affairs and Fisheries Susi Pudjiastuti to discuss bilateral efforts to curb illegal fishing and boost fishery cooperation.

A delegation of the State Ethnic Affairs Commission of China led by its Vice Minister – Deputy head Li Zhao had a working session with officials from the Steering Committee for the Northwestern Region in Yen Bai province on June 3.

 President Barack Obama has urged the US Congress to approve the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The PM has issued a directive requesting ministries, ministerial-level and centrally-run agencies, as well as localities, economic groups, and State-owned enterprises to build a socio-economic development plan and State budget estimate for 2017.

 A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh attended the ongoing Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on June 3-5.

 Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam El Houcine Fardani was granted with the insignia: “For Peace and Friendship among Nations,” on June 2, in recognition of his contributions to enhancing the two countries’ relations.

A seminar took place in Hanoi on June 2 to gain an insight into late Swedish Prime Minister Olof Palme’s legacy in the relationship between Sweden and Vietnam.

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong has called for the support of British parliamentarians so that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement will soon be approved by the UK.

HCMC Party Secretary Dinh La Thang showed his hope that Cambodia will facilitate the city’s trade and investment promotion activities in the country, at his meetings with Cambodian National Assembly and Government leaders in Phnom Penh.

The Government’s point of view in steering socio-economic affairs is to persistently pursue the goal of macro-economic stability to create foundations for sustainable development, said PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

Vietnam wants suggestions from its partners, including the World Bank, about how to tackle difficulties in balancing the State budget as well dealing with public and bad debts, Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said.

 Vietnam welcomes the statement from the G7 Summit with its commitment on ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation, and international law, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh.

 On June 2, Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung met East Timor’s Prime Minister Rui Maria de Araujo on the sidelines of the 25th World Economic Forum on ASEAN in Kuala Lumpur.

 National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong has called for the support of British parliamentarians so that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement will soon be approved by the UK.

  Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Dinh La Thang has highlighted his city’s desire to enhance cooperation with Phnom Penh and other Cambodian localities during his working visit to Cambodia.