Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh at the event

The third Vietnam – Australia defence policy dialogue was held in Canberra, the capital city of Australia, on October 29.

The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh and Australian Deputy Secretary Strategic Policy and Intelligence Peter Tesch.

The two sides discussed regional and global issues of mutual concern, including issues regarding the ASEAN Year 2020 when Vietnam assumes the role of ASEAN Chair.

Agreeing with Vietnam’s stance on the settlement of the East Sea issue, the Australian side affirmed the importance of freedom of navigation and aviation and stressed that disputes need to be settled through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

On bilateral defence ties, the two sides spoke highly of achievements over the past years within the framework of the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation signed in 2010 and the Declaration on Joint Vision for Enhancing Defence Cooperation inked in 2018, thus making active contributions to the Vietnam – Australia strategic partnership.

They pledged to continue further promoting relations in the fields of dialogues, consultations, exchange of delegations, education and training, the United Nations peacekeeping mission and maritime security, as well as uphold women’s role and gender equality in defence activities.

The Australian side promised to assist the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence in successfully holding defence conferences within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus when Vietnam takes over the ASEAN Chair next year.

The Australian side expected that Vietnam would support the initiative to hold the ASEAN – Australia Defence Ministers’ Informal Meeting. The Vietnamese side agreed in principle the proposal and asked Australia to continue consultations to reach consensus from other ASEAN member states.

The Australian side informed that its Minister for Defence Linda Reynolds will pay an official visit to Vietnam next year at the invitation of her Vietnamese counterpart Gen. Ngo Xuan Lich.

They assigned the two defence ministries to work closely together to ensure the success of the visit./.

NA deputy proposes publicizing China’s violations in East Sea

NA deputy of An Giang Province Nguyen Lan Hieu has proposed publicizing China’s recent violations in the East Sea in detail and bringing China to an international tribunal over its infringements, he said during the National Assembly (NA) session today, October 30.

Hieu told those attending the session on the country’s socioeconomic performance that Vietnam’s measures by peaceful means to counter China’s violations over the past few months have not worked.

Vietnam should work out new measures, in accordance with the Party General Secretary and State President’s statement, indicating that “Vietnam will make no concessions, whatsoever, on its independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity,” the local media reported, citing Hieu.

In addition, Vietnam should sue China at an international court for those actions that trespass on Vietnam’s waters in the East Sea.

As such, he said that Vietnam needs to publicize China’s violations in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf so that the Vietnamese community and the world, as well as the Chinese public, can understand the issue.

Deputy Defense Minister pays official visit to Cambodia

Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army, Deputy Defense Minister Phan Van Giang

Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army, Deputy Defense Minister Phan Van Giang is leading a Vietnamese high-ranking military delegation to pay an official visit to Cambodia from October 30-November 2.

The visit, made at the invitation of Royal Cambodian Armed Forces (RCAF) commander-in-chief General Vong Pisen, aims to strengthen the friendship relations and launch agreements reached between their senior leaders, upgrading defense cooperation more intensively, effectively and practically to become one of the crucial pillars in the two nations’ relationship.

The two sides will review cooperative contents and exchange and reach cooperative measures in the upcoming time between the General Staff of the Vietnam People's Army and the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces.

During the visit, Giang will pay a courtesy visit to the Cambodian Minister of Defense and the Prime Minister.

Vietnam stresses multilateralism at Asian-African organisation’s meeting

Chu Tuan Duc, Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Law and International Treaties, addresses the 58th session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) in Dar es Salaam capital of Tanzania (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

A Vietnamese delegation has emphasised the importance of multilateralism at the 58th session of the Asian-African Legal Consultative Organisation (AALCO) recently held in Dar es Salaam capital of Tanzania.

The annual session, themed “Multilateralism and International Order based on International Law”, took place from October 21 to 25.

The Vietnamese delegation included representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of National Defence, the Ministry of Public Security and the Ministry of Justice.

Speaking at the event’s general debate, Chu Tuan Duc, Deputy Director of the Foreign Ministry’s Department of Law and International Treaties, stressed the importance of multilateralism, with the United Nations (UN) playing the central role, as well as the basic principles of international law recognised by the members in the UN Charter.

He noted that the development of multilateralism over the past 75 years has brought about many significant achievements, helping to shape modern international relations with their foundation being such important international treaties as the UN Charter adopted in 1945, the four Geneva Conventions on international humanitarian law in 1949, the Vienna Convention on the Law on Treaties in 1969, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982.

However, multilateralism and the international legal system are facing numerous challenges, requesting countries to respect international law and be active in multilateral cooperation at multiple levels, Duc said.

The official added that Vietnam has been actively contributing to multilateral forums, as well as the codification and development of international law, particularly when it will serve as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and ASEAN Chair in 2020.

At the session, representatives of the AALCO members and guests, including experts and scholars, discussed issues of common concern, including the law of the sea (preservation and sustainable use of biodiversity beyond national jurisdiction; freedom of navigation in international seas and straits; and illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing); the peaceful settlement of disputes; international law on the cyber space; the International Trade and Investment Law; and topics in the agenda of the UN’s International Law Commission.

Participants affirmed their countries’ respect for the principles of international law as enshrined in the UN Charter, considering these as the basic to deal with emerging challenges and promote multilateralism and rules-based international order.

The Vietnamese delegation delivered speeches on almost all topics. It highlighted the importance of international law and called for the peaceful settlement of disputes, including those in the East Sea, and for restraint from unilateral actions that may complicate the situation, escalate tensions or threaten regional and global peace and security.

At its 58th session, the AALCO admitted the Philippines as its new member.

The AALCO was founded under the name Asian Legal Consultative Committee in Bandung city of Indonesia in 1956. It was renamed as it is today in 2001 to reflect the expansion of its membership to Africa. The organisation currently consists of 48 member states.

Vietnam became an official member of the AALCO in 2017./.

Vietnam to seriously realise commitments in deals with EU: NA leader

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) meets with Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade Bernd Lange in Hanoi on October 30

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received a delegation of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade (INTA) led by its Chairman Bernd Lange in Hanoi on October 30.

The host congratulated Lange on his re-appointment as head of the INTA, speaking highly of his active contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese NA and the European Parliament.

She noted with satisfaction that Vietnam and the European Union (EU) inked the bilateral Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) in June this year.

Vietnam treasures and wishes to strengthen the comprehensive cooperation with the EU, especially in economy and trade. Therefore, it will fully and seriously carry out the commitments in the two agreements, including those relevant to sustainable development, Ngan stressed.

The chairwoman affirmed that Vietnam always considers the EU one of its leading partners, particularly in terms of economy, trade and investment.

She added the signing and ratification of many legal documents and the frequent mutual visits by the two sides’ leaders in the first half of this year reflect the prioritisation of bilateral ties in each side’s foreign policy, and this creates an increasingly solid foundation and opens up new prospects for Vietnam-EU relations.

Lange said during the INTA delegation’s working trip to Vietnam, they had a meeting with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and learnt that this ministry is working with relevant agencies to build a plan for implementing the EVFTA and EVIPA to ensure the full and effective implementation of the deals after they are ratified.

At the meeting, both host and guest shared the view that on the basis of the sound cooperation and with an open dialogue mechanism, Vietnam and the EU will continue coordinating closely and supporting each other during the ratification of the EVFTA and EVIPA.

They said that as following ratification, implementation is very important, the Vietnamese NA and the European Parliament are ready to work together to discuss and seek solutions to issues emerging to concretize the benefits these agreements will generate for both sides’ peoples and businesses./.

Minister of Public Security delighted at growing Vietnam-EU ties

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam (R) and Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)'s Committee on International Trade Bernd Lange

Minister of Public Security Gen. To Lam has expressed his delight at the fruitful development of relations between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) over the past years, especially in trade and investment.

During a reception in Hanoi on October 30 for Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)'s Committee on International Trade Bernd Lange, Lam spoke highly of the role of the EU, EP and Lange in facilitating the signing of the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) in late June 2019.

He wished that Lange and members of the committee would support the ratification of the two agreements as soon as possible.

Lam said once approved, the EVFTA will open up a new period of bilateral economic cooperation, adding that the Vietnamese National Assembly plans to approve the deal in the first half of 2020.

Vietnam has so far joined 16 FTAs, 11 of them have become effective, and most recently the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), proving the country’s global integration policy, its important geo-political position on the regional and global arena, he said.

Lam said cooperative ties between the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security and EU member states have been developing fruitfully and reaped important achievements in the fight against trans-national crime over the past years.

The minister affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security would continue working closely with the EU and EP in crime prevention and control, and cyber security.

Lange, for his part, said the EP and the Committee on International Trade in particular will continue expanding collaboration with the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security in fields of shared concern./.

NA continues discussion on socio-economic matters

The National Assembly (NA) will continue the discussion on socio-economic and State budget performance on October 31 as part of the ongoing 8th session.

The discussion is broadcast live on national television and radio, and the NA’s channel.

During the October 30 debate, most of deputies shared the views on positive socio-economic changes across spheres in 2019 despite a range of difficulties and challenges facing the country and the world.

2019 is the second consecutive year when Vietnam is expected to fulfil and surpass all 12 targets set by the legislature, they said, adding that the macro economy has remained stable with gross domestic product (GDP) projected to grow at 6.8 percent, inflation at below 3 percent, budget overspending at 3.4 percent and unemployment rate at below 4 percent, respectively.

The legislators focused on solutions to develop a contingent of professional officials and policies to attract talents in the public sector.

They also sought ways to speed up economic transformation, rearrange administrative agencies at commune and district levels, perfect legal regulations to prevent trade fraud and improve the business environment.

The Ministers of Culture, Sports and Tourism; Science and Technology; Finance; and Planning and Investment are scheduled to join the discussion on October 31./.

NA looks into socio-economic performance

The eighth working day of the 14th National Assembly’s eighth session was held in Hanoi on October 30 under the chair of NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Lawmakers discussed the outcomes of the socio-economic development plan and the State budget for 2019; the socio-economic development plan and the State budget for 2020; the implementation of the State budget for 2019 and State budget projection as well as allocation for 2020.

Fifty-two deputies raised their ideas at the meeting.

A majority of lawmakers agreed with the Government’s report and the legislature’s examination report which said that 2019 will be the second consecutive year that all the 12 socio-economic targets assigned by the NA have been met. Budget overspending reaches 3.4 percent while inflation is kept below 4 percent.

Legislators gave their views on personnel training, acceleration of economic restructuring, business environment reform, information safety and cyber security, poverty reduction in mountainous and ethnic regions, and marine-based economic development, among others.

Transport Minister Nguyen Van The and Justice Minister Le Thanh Long clarified issues of deputies’ concern.

Concluding the meeting, Vice Chairman Hien, who managed the discussion which was broadcast live, said the legislature will continue looking into socio-economic affairs and State budget in its sitting on May 31.

Ministers of culture, science and technology, finance, and planning and investment will make clear issues in their authorities./.

Deputy PM: Vietnam ready to help Nigeria with high-tech agriculture

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (left) in Nigeria

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue has affirmed that Vietnam is willing to help Nigeria with high-tech agriculture and send experts to the country to explore projects in the field.

During a recent working session with Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) Party of Nigeria Adams Oshiomhole in the capital city of Abuja, Hue congratulated President Muhammadu Buhari and the party for winning the election for the second tenure.

He said with geo-political and economic similarities, Vietnam and Nigeria could expand collaboration to bring benefits to their governments and peoples.

Oshiomhole congratulated Vietnam on its economic achievements, especially in agriculture, manufacturing, information and communication technology, adding that Nigeria wants to step up ties with Vietnam in such fields.

He also wished to learn from Vietnam’s experience in poverty reduction and economic diversification to ease reliance on oil and gas revenue, as well as facilitate the sending of delegations to Vietnam to learn experiences in job creation and raise mutual understanding between the two parties.

At the Vietnam – Nigeria trade-investment seminar, the largest-scale one that attracted leaders and representatives from about 150 Nigerian enterprises, Hue proposed measures to boost bilateral trade, particularly farm produce of Vietnam’s strength such as cashew nuts, rice, cotton and coffee.

At a working session with leaders of the Nigeria – Vietnam Business Association, the Vietnamese official said the Vietnamese Government is ready to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese and Nigerian firms to do business together.

He welcomed members of the association to Vietnam this December to attend an international expo in Ho Chi Minh City

Representatives from Nigerian localities and businesses expressed their belief that the visit will open up a new development period for bilateral ties, especially in trade and investment.

The Deputy PM is visiting Nigeria from October 29-31./.

Party official receives New Zealand finance minister

Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh (R) and Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage of New Zealand Grant Robertson

Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 30 for Minister of Finance, Minister for Sport and Recreation and Associate Minister for Arts, Culture and Heritage of New Zealand Grant Robertson.

Binh expressed his delight at the development of bilateral ties in politics, external affairs, economy-trade-development assistance, education-training, and people-to-people exchange as the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of comprehensive partnership this year and the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.

Since the establishment of the comprehensive partnership in 2009, two-way trade has grown by 14 percent annually, exceeding the 1 billion USD benchmark in 2018, he said.

The Party official expressed his belief that the figure will rise to 1.7 billion USD next year on the back of the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) of which both nations are members.

He expected that New Zealand and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and New Zealand and Vietnam in particular would enhance collaboration to fully realise the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement and soon conclude negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP).

Both sides agreed to continue stepping up ties in promising fields such as education and labour amid the fourth Industrial Revolution.

Robertson, for his part, affirmed that New Zealand highly evaluated Vietnam’s socio-economic development, considering the country an important partner in the region.

New Zealand pledged to support and work closely with Vietnam next year when Vietnam will become the ASEAN Chair, and New Zealand and ASEAN celebrate the 45th anniversary of dialogue relations and the fifth anniversary of strategic partnership, he said.

The minister wished that Vietnam would share its experience when New Zealand hosts the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in 2021./.

Party official hopes for early ratification of EU-Vietnam deals

Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh (L) welcomes Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, in Hanoi on October 30

Politburo member and Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh met with Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament’s Committee on International Trade, in Hanoi on October 30.

Binh appreciated Lange’s contributions to the comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU).

He reiterated that Vietnam always considers the EU one of its leading partners, adding the two sides have recorded numerous strides in their relations in the recent past, particularly in economy, trade and investment.

The EU is currently the fourth largest trade partner of Vietnam with bilateral trade surging over 13 times from 4.1 billion USD in 2000 to 55.8 billion USD in 2018, he said, adding that it also stands fifth among foreign investors in the Southeast Asian nation.

He stressed that the signing of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) is an important development step in bilateral ties, as well as ASEAN-EU relations, especially when Vietnam will hold the ASEAN chairmanship in 2020.

The official asked Lange to help accelerate the European Parliament’s ratification of the two deals so as to soon concretize the benefits these agreements can generate for both sides’ people and businesses.

For his part, Lange said his working visit to Vietnam this time aims to help intensify the EU-Vietnam cooperation and prepare for the European Parliament and its member parliaments’ official ratification of the EVFTA and IPA./.

Lao leader’s greetings on day of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers

General Secretary of the Central Committee of Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and State President Bounnhang Vorachith has sent a letter of greetings to the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of Traditional Day of Vietnamese Voluntary Soldiers and Experts in Laos (October 30).

In the letter, he said 70 years ago, the Indochinese Communist Party, the forerunner of the CPV and the LPRP, established the Vietnamese voluntary army in support of Laos.

It was a right and the most important decision, as well as a decisive facto of the victory of the two nations’ revolutions, vividly reflecting the militant alliance of the Laos – Vietnam special solidarity, the leader wrote.

Thousands of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers fought side by side with the Lao army and people to score glorious feats of arms for the cause of national independence and prosperity of each country.

The Lao Party, State and people are deeply grateful to the Vietnamese Party, State and people for the valuable, timely and effective support for the Lao revolutionary cause in the past as well as national development at present, he added.

The leader wished that the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’ Parties, States and peoples will last forever./.

Vietnam – Laos special friendship festival to be held

Nguyen Ba Hao, deputy director of the Nghe An Information and Communications Department (standing), gives a speech at the press conference.

A four-day festival to celebrate the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos will be launched on November 14 in the central province of Nghe An.

The announcement was made at a press conference held in Hanoi on October 30 by the Ministry of Information and Communications.

The event will mark the 57th anniversary of diplomatic ties and the 42nd anniversary of the signing of the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation between the two countries.

The event will draw representatives from the Lao Embassy in Vietnam and leaders of Lao provinces, as well as leaders of provinces and cities across Vietnam, representatives from both countries as well as Lao students in Nghe An and local residents.

It is the second year the festival has been organised. Last year it was held in the northern mountainous province of Dien Bien.

The festival will feature a series of activities, including artistic performances, a photo exhibition on Vietnam – Laos special ties, and an economic, culture and tourism fair.

A conference to promote trade, investment and tourism in Nghe An will be held, seeking measures to strengthen border exchange activities.

Addressing the press conference, Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Hoang Vinh Bao emphasised the significance of the festival in strengthening the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The festival offered a chance to boost the dissemination of information about external relations in border areas. This would raise the awareness and responsibility of local authorities and people of firmly safeguarding national independence, sovereignty, unity and territorial integrity, maintaining peace and stability for national development, and raising Vietnam’s position and reputation in the region and the world as a whole, he said./.

Lao officials praise Vietnamese voluntary soldiers, experts’ role

Vietnam-Laos combatant alliance in the fight against France in 1950s   jpg

The Vietnamese voluntary army in Laos, founded on October 30, 1949, stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Lao revolutionary army during the war time to defend the Lao people and assist their revolutionary cause, Lao officials have affirmed.

Former Deputy Prime Minister Somsavat Lengsavad said based on their voluntary spirit, the Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts sided with the Lao armed forces in the fight against the French colonialists and US imperialists, making great contributions to deepening the friendship and special solidarity between the two nations.

Meanwhile, former Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Sayasone told Vietnam News Agency correspondents that the armed forces of both nations stood with each other during fierce battles across Laos.

Vietnamese and Lao officials make regular visits and have worked to boost mutual trust, so bilateral ties in the fields of economy, culture and society have developed, he said, stressing that profound solidarity is the decisive factor for the socio-economic development of each nation.

Laying a stress on the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, Sounthone Xayachack, head of the Commission for External Relations of the Central Committee of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, said the two countries have supported each other since they set up diplomatic relations in 1962.

Their traditional relations serve as a foundation to defeat the French colonialists and US imperialists, as well as successfully build prosperous nations as oriented by the two Parties and peoples./.

Deputy PM holds talks with Nigerian Vice President

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (L) and Nigerian Vice President Yeni Osinbajo

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with Nigerian Vice President Yeni Osinbajo as part of the Vietnamese official’s working visit to the African country from Oct. 29-31.

During their talks on October 30, the two sides agreed to strengthen the exchange of delegations at all levels and through all channels, thus promoting mutual understanding.

They discussed measures to practically promote trade, agreeing that it is necessary to establish a legal framework favourable for cooperation activities, focusing on promoting the role of commercial committees as well as available mechanisms; enhancing the exchange of business delegations to share market information, trade policies and export-import related regulations of each country.

The Vietnamese side said the country wants to increase trade turnover with Nigeria through exporting cashew nuts, rice, aquatic products, footwear and textiles, and hopes to be supported by the Nigerian government.

Osinbajo said his country wants to enhance cooperation with Vietnam in agriculture as Nigeria is actively expanding agricultural production and promoting hi-tech application in the sector.

Nigeria is interested in the idea of opening a direct air route between the two countries, he said, suggesting the two sides foster people-to-people exchanges and cooperation in culture, sports and tourism.

The official affirmed that Nigeria is willing to support Vietnam to expand relations with member nations of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and the African Union (AU), and proposed Vietnam serve as a bridge to help Nigeria connect with other ASEAN nations.

After their talks, the Vietnamese and Nigerian officials witnessed the signing of a visa exemption agreement for diplomatic passport holders, which aims to facilitate delegation exchanges between the two countries, contributing to fostering bilateral cooperation.

Deputy PM Hue took the occasion to convey the invitation of Vietnamese Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong to Nigerian President Muhammadu Buhari to visit Vietnam.

On the same day, he also met with Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives of Nigeria Idris Wase and President of the ECOWAS Jean-Claude Kassi Brou, during which they highlighted the increasing bilateral relations.

Hue said that relations with Nigeria in particular, and with other African countries in general, were an important part of Vietnam’s diplomatic policy.

Meanwhile, Wase spoke highly of the potential and cooperation achievements between the two countries, especially in economics and trade, affirming that the Nigerian parliament wants to promote cooperation with Vietnam and hopes the two sides will sign more agreements to create an impetus for their trade links.

For his part, Kassi Brou praised Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements and integration, while congratulating the country on winning a seat in the UN Security Council as a non-permanent member for 2020-2021, hoping that Vietnam will continue its active contributions to security issues in the region and the world.

Hue stressed that Vietnam always attaches importance to multi-faceted cooperation with traditional African friends, stressing the need for countries in West Africa and Vietnam to bolster cooperation and support each other to make their voice better heard and raise their role at multilateral cooperation mechanisms such as the UN, the Non-Aligned Movement and the South-South cooperation mechanism./.

Hanoi officials visit Argentina, Peru

At the working session between the Hanoi delegation and General Secretary of the Communist Party of Argentina (CPA) Victor Gorodeki Kot

A Hanoi delegation led by Ngo Thi Thanh Hang, member of the Party Central Committee and Standing Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, visited Argentina and Peru from October 19-30 to enhance friendship and expanding cooperation with the two countries.

While in Argentina, the officials met with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Argentina (CPA) Victor Gorodeki Kot.

At the meeting, Hang highlighted the close ties between the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the CPA, as well as the fruitful development of relations between the two countries.

She reiterated the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s consistent stance of continuously consolidating and enhancing the friendship and solidarity between the CPV and the CPA and Argentinian people.

For his part, Gorodeki Kot highly valued great achievements the Party, State and people of Vietnam have recorded over the recent past, and Vietnam’s role and position in the international area.

He also briefed his guests on the operation of the CPA, and role and contributions of Argentinian communists to the political life in the South American nation.

The two sides agreed to step up the communication work and the exchange of theoretical and practical experience regarding the communist party’s role in each nation amidst regional and global uncertainties.

They also affirmed support of the two Parties for progressive movements at regional and international forums.

At another working session with leaders of Buenos Aires, Hang said Vietnam and Argentina are establishing many bilateral cooperation mechanisms to boost partnerships in investment, trade, tourism, agriculture and culture-art.

This creates a favourable condition for Hanoi to beef up collaboration with Buenos Aires in particular and Argentina in general, she said, adding that the Hanoi authorities have coordinated with the Argentinian Embassy in Vietnam to organise various cultural and artistic activities in order to help locals understand more about Argentinian culture.

The official called on Buenos Aires authorities to back activities aiming to connect local businesses with Hanoi, thus improving the efficiency of investment, trade and tourism links between the two sides.

Host and guest also consented to maintain information sharing to make plans on tourism promotion in the time ahead, and discussed measures to forge investment and tourism ties between Hanoi and partners in Argentina.

On this occasion, the Vietnamese delegation had a working session with representatives of the Argentina ministry of agriculture, and made field trips to some sustainable culture and tourism development models in Buenos Aires.

During their stay in Peru, they met with Vice Secretary General of the Communist Party of Peru – Red Fatherland Marco Medina.

The two sides reviewed cooperation between the CPV and the Communist Party of Peru, and the Communist Party of Peru – Red Fatherland, and exchanged experience in Party building.

The Hanoi officials also had a meeting with Ambassador Elard Alberto Escala Sanchez-Barreto, head of the Asia-Pacific department under the Peruvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Hang said Hanoi always attaches importance to cooperation and friendship with capitals and cities of countries worldwide, including Peru’s.

The two sides called for greater efforts to implement cooperation programmes in such areas as economy, trade, investment and other areas of shared concern.

During their stay in Peru, the Hanoi delegation visited the staff of the Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group in the country./.