Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the US business delegation on October 28.

The Vietnamese Government always welcomes and works to remove bottlenecks for foreign investors, including those from the US, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said on October 28.

Receiving Chairman and CEO of The Asia Group Kurt Michael, who also formerly served as US Assistant Secretary of State, Deputy PM Minh hoped US enterprises will enhance their presence in Vietnam, particularly in the field of startup.

Vietnam always treasures the cooperative ties with the US, he said, adding both sides have already set up the comprehensive partnership and are celebrating their 25th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2020.

He laid a stress on Vietnam’s efforts in improving the trade balance between the two nations, expressing his wish that both sides will promote bilateral trade in the time ahead.

Vietnam is currently the 27th largest importer, and the 16th biggest trade partner of the US, he added.

Campbell, for his part, said he was leading a delegation of US firms to Vietnam to study cooperation and investment opportunities in the nation.

Meanwhile, members of the delegation said they support the cooperation between the two countries, and show their interest in investing in various sectors in Vietnam.

On the occasion, both sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual interest./.

Vietnam values relations with France: Party official

Politburo member and permanent member of the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong (R) shakes hands with First Vice President of French Senate Phillipe Dallier.

Vietnam always attaches much importance to the relations with France, its leading partner in Europe and the world, according to Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong.

During meetings with leaders of French Senate and National Assembly, Minister of State attached to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs, and leaders of several parties in France while leading a high-ranking delegation from the CPV to visit France from October 25-29, Vuong also stressed that France has been a priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy, expressing his hope that both sides will continue their dialogue mechanisms as well as carry out the signed agreements in an effective manner.

He took the occasion to thank France for supporting Vietnam’s bid for a non-permanent seat at the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) for the 2020-2021 tenure, and contributing to the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Promotion Agreement (EVIPA).

Vuong recommended both countries boost cooperation in the framework of ASEAN and UN mechanisms, and asked France, with its increasing role in the Europe, to further its work so that the European Parliament will ratify the EVFTA and EVIPA soon.

He and French officials also discussed measures to maintain regional and global peace and stability.

A representative from the French Parliament hailed the visit and pledged to deepen the Vietnam – France strategic partnership in various sectors, adding Vietnam has played an important role in France’s strategy to promote its ties with ASEAN and Asia.

The French side suggested enhancing coordination to implement key projects between the two countries, wishing to boost economic and trade collaboration with the Southeast Asian nation.

The official affirmed to work to urge the European Parliament and the French National Assembly to approve the EVFTA and EVIPA, and voiced support to solving all disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means based on respect of international regulations, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 (UNCLOS 1982).

Working with the French Communist Party and French Social Party, Vuong reiterated CPV’s traditional friendship with the two parties, and discussed measures to develop the cooperative ties into a more effective and practical fashion in the coming time.

Highlighting the CPV’s policy to enhance ties with ruling parties which have important roles in foreign countries, Vuong said the CPV and the French parties should enhance exchanges to better mutual understanding and outline specific measures to boost cooperation.

Leaders of the French parties hailed Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, and expressed their interest in ensuring peace, security and aviation and navigation safety in the region.

Vuong also had a meeting with the Vietnamese intellectuals in the host country, during which he laid a stress on the Party and State’s policies to branch out science-technology, and encouraged the Vietnamese scientists and intellectuals to make further contributions to realising the Politburo’s Resolution No.52-NQ/TW on promoting active participation in the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

During their stay, the Party delegation visited a shipbuilding workshop of Alstom Group, and met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in France./.

Leader congratulates President of Argentina

President of Argentina Alberto Fernandez (Photo: euronews)

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong on October 28 sent a message of congratulations to Alberto Fernandez on his election as President of Argentina for the 2019 – 2023 tenure.

Vietnam and Argentina established diplomatic relations on October 25, 1973. Over the past 46 years, bilateral ties have grown significantly, especially in politics, economy, trade and culture./.

Congratulations to Bolivian President

President of Bolivia Evo Morales Ayama

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong extended congratulations to Evo Morales Ayama on his reelection as President of Bolivia for the 2020 – 2025 tenure.

Vietnam and Bolivia formed their diplomatic ties on February 10, 1987.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Bolivia was 35 million USD in 2018. Vietnam exported goods worth 30 million USD to Bolivia, while the Latin American country shipped commodities valued at 5 million USD to Vietnam.

Deputy PM supports issuance of Hanoi Declaration by transport forum

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung at the event

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung on October 28 expressed his support for the issuance of the Hanoi Declaration at the 12th Intergovernmental Regional Environmentally Sustainable Transport (EST) Forum in Asia that is underway in Hanoi from October 28-30.

The forum is hosted by the Ministry of Transport in collaboration with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, the Ministry of Construction, the Hanoi People’s Committee, the Japan’s Ministry of the Environment, and the UN Centre for Regional Development (UNCRD).

Themed "Achieving Smart and Resilient City through Low Carbon and Intelligent Transport System", the event attracts 213 foreigners from 25 Asian countries and 122 others at home.

In his speech, Deputy PM Dung said via a number of practical activities, the forum has made important contributions to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, as well as building a transport connectivity system in Asia against negative impact on environment and social affairs.

He affirmed that Vietnam is one of the countries that actively built and launched the national plan to realise the Paris Agreement on climate change with strong commitments

According to him, the country also approved the smart and sustainable urban development project for the 2018 – 2025 period with orientations to 2030, with pilot construction in several cities.

The official also took the occasion to ask the UNCRD to work with countries and international organisations to further tap their support in capacity improvement activities and policy enforcement, thus fulfilling declarations issued at the event.

Participants at the event are discussing ways to develop smart cities and transportation, thus reducing greenhouse gas emission and environment pollution./.

Vietnam values relations with US: Party official

Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh (R) and Chairman and CEO of The Asia Group Kurt Michael

The Vietnamese Party and State attach importance to the relations with the US, Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh said on October 28.

Binh made the statement while hosting a reception for Chairman and CEO of The Asia Group Kurt Michael, who also formerly served as US Assistant Secretary of State, and leaders of several major US firms in the fields of financial investment, trade, defence and technology.

Laying stress on the thriving Vietnam – US comprehensive partnership, which has developed into a more practical and effective fashion in the past years in all sectors, Binh noted that two-way trade increased 133 times, from 450 million USD in 1995 to 60 billion USD in 2018.

As the US business community has played an important role in developing the bilateral relations, and promoting the development goals of Vietnam, he hoped the enterprises will continue their interest and expand their operation in the country.

On behalf of the US firms, Campbell affirmed the strong development in bilateral economic – trade cooperation will provide solid foundation for both sides to boost their comprehensive collaboration in the time ahead.

The US companies expressed their wish to receive further support from the Vietnamese Party and State so that they can seek business opportunities and promote activities in the Vietnamese market./.

Seminar talks ASEAN social work development

Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung at the event

A seminar was held in Hanoi on August 28 to launch the building of the ASEAN declaration on social work development.

It was agreed that challenges regarding human resources and finance hamper social work development in the world and ASEAN in particular.

Additionally, ASEAN also faces changes arising from the fourth industrial revolution, population aging and climate change, which creates opportunities and challenges to socio-economic development policies of each country and the nation, including social welfare and work.

UNICEF General Director for East Asia and the Pacific Karin Hulshof said increasing supply of social services is a priority in UNICEF’s strategy for the 2018 – 2021 period in order to protect children from violence and abuse, contributing to fulfilling the sustainable development goals (SDGs).

It is said to be hard to achieve 65 percent of the 169 goals under the 17 SDGs without the participation of social services agencies.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Le Tan Dung said about 20 million Vietnamese people, or over 20 percent of the total population, need to access social work services.

The Vietnamese Government has also issued legal documents to create an important legal foundation for ministries, agencies and localities to develop professional social work in the country.

In accordance with the PM’s decision approving the social work development project for the 2020 – 2020 period, ministries, agencies and localities have also issued legal documents and developed social work establishments and personnel, as well as communications and international cooperation.

A number of regulations on social work are stipulated in the Labour Code, the Law on the Elderly, the Law on Persons with Disabilities, the Law on Children, and the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control./.

PM congratulates Canadian PM Trudeau on election victory

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has sent congratulations to his counterpart Justin Trudeau of the Liberal Party of Canada on his victory in the general election.

The party secured 156 seats at the parliament to helm the government for the second tenure.

Vietnam and Canada established official diplomatic relations in 1973./.