Day: April 22, 2024

Hanoi: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has highlighted the significance of the Geneva Accords 70 years after its signing and valuable lessons for Vietnam's diplomatic endeavors. In a recent interview granted to the press on the occasion, the official recalled that on July 21, 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed after 75 days of intense and complex negotiations marking the first time in the nation's history that the fundamental national rights of Vietnam - independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity - had been affirmed in an international agreement, recognised and respected by the countries participating in the Geneva Conference. This was a result of the resilient struggle by the people under the leadership of the Party throughout the long resistance against colonialism, culminating in the glorious victory of Dien Bien Phu. He said alongside the victory, the accords completely ended the colonial domination of the old imperialism that had lasted nearly 100 years in the country, ushe ring in a new chapter in the cause of national liberation and reunification. It marked the establishment of socialism in the north and the launch of the democratic national revolution in the south, aiming to fully realise the goal of national independence and unity. The signing of the Geneva Accords was not only a historical milestone for the nation but also held significance for the era, he said, adding that it represented the collective triumph of the three Indochinese countries and peace lovers worldwide. This agreement, along with the Dien Bien Phu victory, strongly encouraged oppressed peoples to rise up in the struggle for national liberation, heralding the era of the collapse of imperialism worldwide. Describing the accords as the first international agreement negotiated, signed and enforced by Vietnam, Son said it not only affirmed Vietnam's independent and sovereign status on the international stage but also represented a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam's revolutionary diplomacy . It left valuable lessons and contributed to the cultivation of numerous outstanding diplomats in the Ho Chi Minh era. According to him, Vietnam kept expanding international solidarity, pooling support from people worldwide to the righteous struggle by the Vietnamese people during the negotiations of the Geneva Accords. Throughout the process of negotiating, signing, and implementing the accords, Vietnam consistently adhered to the principles of peace, national independence, and territorial integrity, while remaining agile and flexible with a strategy appropriate to the balance of power and the global and regional context, in order to achieve strategic objectives. The foreign minister also underlined lessons on studying and forecasting situation, using dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve differences and conflicts in international relations, adding that they are especially relevant in today's complex global landscape. He further said that in the overall cause of national liberation and reunifica tion, and specifically in the negotiations, signing, and implementation of the Geneva Accords, Vietnam consistently received significant and invaluable support, both materially and spiritually, from international friends, primarily from Laos, Cambodia, socialist countries, and peace-loving people worldwide. In the process of renewal and following the Party's sound foreign policy, Vietnam continues to garner invaluable support and cooperation from the international community on the basis of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation. The Vietnamese Party, State, and people always highly value and keep in mind the support and assistance from international friends, he said, adding that within its ability, Vietnam always supports and makes active and responsible contributions to the collective efforts of the international community for peace, independence, democracy, and progress worldwide./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Long An: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong's speech at the first meeting of the personnel sub-committee for the 14th National Party Congress has received attention and applause of people from all walks of life in the southern province of Long An. In his speech, the Party chief set the standards for members of the 14th Party Central Committee to truly be exemplary Party members in terms of political mettle, moral qualities, and working capacity, emphasising that they must have both virtue and talent, in which virtue is the root. Vo Thanh Nghi, a retired official in Ward 4, Tan An city, said that the speech's content is close to the current practical requirements, as it clearly analyses and points out the position, meaning, and importance of the personnel preparation for the 14th Party Congress, as well as the content and methods of selection, and responsibilities of the political system, the Party committees at all levels, Party organisations, agencies, and units, particularly the personnel sub-commit tee. Through this important speech, officials, Party members, and people understand more clearly that the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system must be implemented drastically, comprehensively, concertedly, regularly and effectively in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organisation, and personnel. According to Nghi, the Party needs to do better personnel work to properly select and arrange truly virtuous and talented people. Sharing the same view, Nguyen Huu Ly, a member of the provincial Journalists' Association, stressed the need to pay attention to the personnel quality, and ensure sufficient rate of women, artists, professions./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Cairo: Egyptian newspaper Cairo Today on April 21 ran a story spotlighting the significance of Vietnam's Dien Bien Phu Victory 70 years ago and the country's achievements in its path to prosperity after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal). Ahmed Hassan, the author of the article, held that the victory not only influenced Vietnam's history but also changed the world situation, paving the way for national independence movements in colonial and dependent countries. This was the first time in the world history that the military of a colonial country defeated a European professional army, underlined the author, stressing that the victory not only had great significance for the Vietnamese people but was also a strong encouragement and inspiration for other colonial countries around the world in their fight against invaders for national independence. With the inspiration called "Vietnam", colonial peoples in many parts of the world rose up to overthrow colonialism and regain the control of their country, especia lly in French colonies, he noted, adding that in 1960 alone, 17 countries in Africa gained national independence, making 1960 the "Year of Africa". The Dien Bien Phu Victory also had international historical importance, opening a new era, a new phase in the heroic struggle of colonial peoples to liberate themselves, while encouraging and contributing to opening a bright future for the liberation movement of all peoples in the world. Hassan called the victory "a brilliant golden milestone in history' which directly led to the signing of the Geneva Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina, creating a basis and conditions for Vietnamese people to advance to victory in the resistance war against the US and to liberate the South and reunite the country in 1975. In the article, the author also highlighted great and historical achievements that Vietnam has gained over the past nearly 40 years, rising from a poor and underdeveloped country to an economy with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reachin g 430 billion USD in 2023, ranking fifth among the ASEAN countries and 35th among the 40 largest economies in the world. Vietnam has become the 22nd largest trade partner globally. The country has left the group of low-income countries since 2008 and on the way to become an upper-middle income country by 2030, according to the article. It added that Vietnam is considered one of the leading countries in achieving the United Nations Millennium Goals. Regarding foreign affairs, from a country under siege and embargo, Vietnam has now expanded and deepened diplomatic relations with 193 countries. By now, it has established comprehensive strategic partnerships or strategic partnerships with all the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, while sharing economic and trade relations with 230 countries and territories. This shows that Vietnam's position and reputation in the international arena is high, affirming its policy of being a friend, a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible member of the international community, read the article./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024), which will take place in Hanoi on April 23, is expected to create a platform for stakeholders to contribute ideas and initiatives on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)'s future vision, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet has said. This is a forum exclusively for ASEAN, of ASEAN, and for its people, where all stakeholders will share new initiatives to help ASEAN leaders devise strategies and visions for the group in the coming time, helping to bring practical benefits to people, he said in an interview granted to the press. Nearly 400 delegates have registered to take part in the forum, Viet said, noting that government leaders and ministers from ASEAN countries are scheduled to deliver speeches. They include Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos - ASEAN Chair 2024, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof and ASEAN S ecretary-General Kao Kim Hourn. United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will send pre-recorded messages to the forum. Many leading regional and international scholars have also confirmed their attendance, including former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa and former Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yeo. A summary of opinions to be raised at the forum will be sent to ASEAN high-ranking leaders through official channels. The bloc's proposals are also expected to be forwarded to the UN as one of its contributions to preparations for the UN Summit of the Future in September. In addition to plenary sessions, there will be a business session on how to optimise development opportunities amidst the current digital transformation. It will be co-chaired by PM Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay, with the participation experts and enterprises of Vie tnam, ASEAN and partner countries. Viet said the session will offer a chance for businesses to look into advantages, difficulties and opportunities in the context of digital transformation, and build new networks. The official stressed that rapid, sustainable and people-centred development is an issue of common concern of the world and all ASEAN countries. This is a basic and essential need of ASEAN given many economic difficulties as well as non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, natural disasters or epidemics, and supply chain disruptions. To this end, the forum will examine how to harmonise between development and environmental protection and climate change response, to ensure social security, as well as to place people at the centre of all development-related decisions of each country and the region as a whole. As one of the biggest multilateral diplomatic events hosted by Vietnam this year, the forum once again demonstrates Vietnam's desire to contribute more to regional cooperat ion and promote its core role in regional and international collaboration, he said./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Abdelhamid Boubazine was honoured with the 'For peace and friendship among nations' insignia on April 22 for his contributions to cooperation and friendship between the two peoples. Addressing a Hanoi ceremony, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Phan Anh Son said the relationship between the two countries has flourished during Boubazine's two-year term, notably the effective implementation of bilateral cooperation mechanisms, as well as significant progress in trade and investment ties. Son spoke highly of the diplomat's contributions to strengthening solidarity and people-to-people exchange between the two countries, and his close coordination with the VUFO, the Vietnam-Algeria Friendship Association and other agencies in organising activities to enhance mutual understanding, and contribute to fostering the bilateral relations in economy, culture and education, among other fields. Regarding cooperation between localities, Son highlighted the ambassador's role in the establishment of the twining relationship between Vietnam's Dien Bien province and Algeria's Batna province, marking a new development in the people-to-people diplomacy between the provinces in particular, and the connection between the two countries in general. For his part, Boubazine pledged that in any future position, he will continue to contribute to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had a working session with his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone, who is in Hanoi to attend the ASEAN Future Forum, on April 22. PM Chinh congratulated his guest on the Bunpimay traditional New Year Festival of Laos and thanked the latter for accepting the invitation to participate in and address the forum. Appreciating the host leader's invitation to attend the ASEAN Future Forum, the Lao PM highly valued PM Chinh's initiative to organise the event, which attracts representatives of regional and global governments, scholars, and researchers, reflects Vietnam's active and practical contributions to the ASEAN Community, and also helps promote the country's role and stature in the region and the world at large. Discussing the two countries' relations, the PMs shared the view that the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos have continued developing soundly, firmly, and fruitfully in multiple areas over the recent past . Political ties have been unceasingly reinforced through frequent mutual visits and meetings at all levels. Defence and security cooperation remains an important pillar and becomes increasingly strong and effective, contributing to defence, security, and social order and safety in each country, they noted. Bilateral economic, trade, and investment partnerships have been further promoted. Trade between the countries reached 476.8 million USD in the first quarter of 2024, up 12% year on year. With 245 investment projects worth 5.5 billion USD, Vietnam still ranks third among the countries and territories investing in Laos. Meanwhile, connections in other fields like education - training, culture, science - technique, tourism, and people-to-people exchange have also been strengthened towards better effectiveness and quality, according to the leaders. At the meeting, the two PMs looked into measures for effectively implementing high-level agreements and the outcomes of the 46th meeting of the Inter-governmen tal Committee. They agreed to continue increasing high-level visits and meetings; properly carry out the agreements between the two governments, including the Vietnam - Laos agreement on the cooperation strategy for 2021 - 2030, the deal on bilateral cooperation for 2021 - 2025, and the one on the cooperation plan 2024; and boost defence and security cooperation to effectively cope with non-traditional challenges, including border management and protection and the trans-national crime fight. Vietnam and Laos will enhance the connectivity of their economies, especially in terms of regulations, finance, transport infrastructure, energy, telecommunications, and tourism. The countries will assist each other to build independent and self-reliant economies that actively, extensively, substantively, and effectively integrate into the world. They will work together to thoroughly deal with bottlenecks and create a favourable environment for Vietnamese businesses to operate in Laos. Besides, the protocols and coopera tion projects in the field of education and human resources training will also be implemented fruitfully, the leaders added. Both host and guest concurred that their countries will continue coordinating closely and supporting each other at regional and international forums like ASEAN, the United Nations, and the Mekong sub-regional mechanisms. PM Chinh affirmed that Vietnam keeps supporting and assisting Laos to successfully fulfil international roles in 2024, including the ASEAN Chairmanship./. Source: Vietnam News Agency