Category: Politics

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang held talks with Cuban Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Trade and Investment Ricardo Cabrisas on April 15 (local time), as part of his visit to the Latin American country. The Vietnamese official expressed gratitude for the sincere and fraternal assistance by Leader Fidel Castro, Cuban leader generations, and people towards Vietnam in its struggle for national liberation, construction, and defence. He affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the special relations of traditional solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba and will always stand by the side of the brotherly country in the current context of difficulties and challenges, adding the Vietnamese government is determined to implement projects supporting Cuba in strengthening agricultural production. Deputy PM Quang suggested the Cuban government provide support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the Latin American nation. Cabrisas affirmed the Cuban government's determination to further deepen the Vietnam - Cuba fraternal relationship, expressing his belief that the visit will contribute to effectively implementing agreements between the two countries' high-ranking leaders. He thanked Vietnam for helping maintain a stable commercial rice supply and assisting Cuba in developing food and seafood production, affirming that cooperation with Vietnam is of strategic importance in the current context. The Cuban official highly valued Vietnam's investment and business projects in Cuba in various sectors including commerce, industrial infrastructure, construction materials, essential goods, renewable energy, and agriculture; saying that these have contributed to stabilising and developing Cuba's economy. | Host and guest reviewed bilateral cooperation projects and discussed measures to promote economic, trade, and investment relations, and to improve the effectiveness of the activities of the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee mechanism, as well as coll aborative projects in various fields. They agreed to continue close coordination in implementing high-level agreements reached, further enhance the effectiveness of the mechanism in promoting key cooperation projects, and find solutions to support Vietnamese businesses in doing business and investing in Cuba. Earlier, the 41st session of the Vietnam-Cuba Intergovernmental Committee took place in Havana on April 12 - 15, seeking ways to expand and diversify bilateral economic relations in commensurate with the traditional political relationship between the two Parties, States, and peoples./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang will pay an official visit to Venezuela from April 17-19 at the invitation of Venezuelan Vice President Delcy Rodríguez. Quang is scheduled to have talks and meetings with key leaders of the ruling United Socialist Party (PSUV), the Government, and the National Assembly of Venezuela. Ambassador Vu Trung My affirmed that the visit has a significant role to play in maintaining high level exchanges, and concretising agreements between leaders of the two Parties in power and countries in an attempt to solidfy political trust, contributing to strengthening and deepening the comprehensive partnership and multifaceted cooperation between them. Vietnam, Venezuela bolster comprehensive partnership hinh anh 2 Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang (Photo: VNA) The diplomat emphasised that the visit is takes place as the two countries are celebrating the 35th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic relations (December 18, 1989-2024) and 17 years of comprehensive partnership (20 07-2024). In particular, Vietnam-Venezuela relations have continued to be promoted and strengthened on all three pillars, including Party, State, and people diplomacy. My acknowledged that this will be an important occasion for the two sides to deepen the exchange of ideas on major issues in bilateral relations as well as international and regional situation of common interest, thereby further strengthening political trust, promoting cooperation mechanisms. The ambassador revealed that the two countries also plan to sign a number of new cooperation agreements in such areas as oil and gas, telecommunications, agriculture, and construction. According to him, the relationship between the two Parties is a bright spot and a favourable political basis to promote multifaceted relations between Vietnam and Venezuela in the coming time. Recently, the two countries have supported each other at the UN Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term. They have been coordinating closely and effectively at international fo rums that the two countries are members. Ambassador My said that the two countries will co-organise a number of events this year such as "Vietnamese Day in Venezuela", "Venezuelan Cultural Week in Vietnam", and "Rice Festival in Venezuela". In particular, 2024 also marks the 60th anniversary of the Nguyen Van Troi operation (October, 1964-2024), an event that entered the history of relations between the two Parties and countries, a symbol of solidarity and support by leftist and progressive forces in Venezuela in particular and progressive forces in Latin America in general to the national liberation and reunification of the Vietnamese people./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Argentina's Resumen Latinoamericano newspaper has published the article 'Proud and confident under the Party's glorious flag, determined to build a Vietnam more prosperous, powerful, civilised, heroic with a fine and long-lasting culture" by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Nguyen Phu Trong, on the occasion of the 49th anniversary of the liberation of the south and national reunification (April 30). The article highlighted the birth of the CPV as a historical turning point of the Vietnamese nation, crediting it to the successful combination of Marxism-Leninism with the workers' and patriotic movements. Since its inception, the CPV has led the Vietnamese people in the struggle for national independence, the liberation of the South, and national reunification. It has been healing the wounds of the war, conducting reform and global integration, and building and developing the nation. Resumen Latinoamericano quoted the article as underlining the lessons learned and glorious traditions forged during the CPV's 94-year leadership. These core values include unwavering dedication to the interests of the nation and its class, a steadfast commitment to the goals and ideals of national independence coupled with socialism based on Marxism -Leninism and the Ho Chi Minh Ideology, among others. According to the newspaper, Party leader Trong also underscored the profound bond between the Party and the people, with the CPV's dedication to serving the people's needs as its ultimate goal. The unwavering trust and support from the people, the article stressed, is a key factor in the CPV's achievements. The Vietnamese people, General Secretary Trong concluded, are both the goal and the driving force behind the country's revolutionary cause./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam always values and wants to promote the traditional friendship and cooperation with Benin, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son affirmed during a phone conversation with his Beninese counterpart Olushegun Adjadi Bakari on April 15. Highlighting the significant potential for bilateral cooperation, Son suggested both sides further enhance bilateral economic cooperation, proposing the prompt implementation of the two ministries' memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation signed in December 2023 via the organisation of their first political consultation meeting. For his part, Bakari recommended the countries expeditiously conclude negotiations to proceed with the signing of an MoU on cooperation in agriculture, expressed his hope for an early visit by a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, and affirmed his country's readiness to support Vietnam in promoting engagements with the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). The two sides agreed t o strengthen delegation exchange activities, and create favourable conditions for businesses and investors of both countries to exchange market information and promote trade-investment and agricultural partnerships. They also concurred to coordinate the sending of Vietnamese business delegations to Benin in the near future and to soon sign an agreement on visa exemption for holders of diplomatic and official passports as well as many other documents to establish cooperative mechanisms and legal frameworks conducive to bilateral cooperation. On this occasion, Son invited Bakari to visit Vietnam soon, and the Beninese FM accepted the invitation with pleasure./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lt. Gen. Le Van Tuyen had a working session with Minister of the Interior of Cuba Lt. Gen. Lázaro Alberto Álvarez Casas in Havana, as part of Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang's official friendly visit to the Caribbean country. Tuyen affirmed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security (MoPS) is always ready to share experience and consult with the Cuban Ministry of the Interior about national construction and defence policies. The MoPS will continue to stand side by side, share and stay ready to offer the highest support to the Cuban Ministry of the Interior, he said. The two sides discussed a wide range of cooperation contents from ensuring national security, fighting crimes, building legal documents, health care, fire prevention and fighting, rescue operations, to logistical, technical support and capacity building training. Recognising the growing challenges of global and regional security in 2024 and beyond, with various types of crimes, especiall y transnational, cyber, drug and human trafficking crimes, they highlighted the need to expand and strengthen cooperation between the two ministries for the benefit and national security of each country. The officers vowed to further step up collaboration in the fields of security and police, fight organised, trans-national, cyber, terrorism, human trafficking, commercial and tourism-related crimes, emerging types of crimes and non-traditional security threats, and in technical and professional areas. The host and guest concurred to jointly study and launch projects, scientific research works, adopt new technologies and produce specialised equipment, and offer training to improve the capacity of officers and soldiers. In the field of health care, the two ministries will continue bolstering collaboration in cancer treatment, cerebral vascular intervention, organ transplantation, training and transferring technologies related to stem cells, gene, treatment methods using antibodies and vaccines./. Source: V ietnam News Agency

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on April 16 said that Vietnam always values and wishes to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Hungary, a traditional partner and the only comprehensive partner of Vietnam in the Central Eastern European region when receiving First Officer of the Hungarian National Assembly Márta Mátrai in Hanoi. Speaking at the reception, Hue appreciated the fifth legislative conference on the role of the parliament in supreme supervision of bilateral cooperation agreements between Vietnam and Hungary held earlier the same day in Hanoi, during which, NA Vice Chairman Tran Quang Phuong and Márta Mátrai reached consensus on many important issues, particularly those on cooperation between the two countries' legislatures. For her part, the Hungarian guest said Hungary considers Vietnam a priority partner in its policy of strengthening and expanding relations with Southeast Asian countries, especially in the fields of diplomacy, economy, and parliamentary cooperation. Hungary is a bridge between EU member countries and Vietnam, she said, adding her country is ready to share experience with Vietnam in agriculture, science, and digitalisation. Noting that Hungary will take on the role of rotating President of the European Council in the second half of 2024, she affirmed Hungary will help hasten other EU member countries to ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and urge the European Commission to soon remove the 'yellow card' imposed on Vietnam regarding illegal, unreported and unregulated (IUU) fishing and other problems in the EU-Vietnam trade ties. Hue said that the two countries have good cooperative relations in many fields and that there is still ample room for cooperation, particularly in science and technology, innovation, education, and sports. The host and the guest agreed that the two sides need to strengthen cooperation and connections at central, local, and business levels. Their friendship parliamentarians' groups should establish an alumni ne twork and propose initiatives to further develop the two countries' relations. Hue agreed on the theme of the next legislative conference, which will be held alternately in Hungary in 2025. On this occasion, he thanked Hungary for providing scholarships to Vietnamese students and hoped that it will continue to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to stabilise their lives and make positive contributions to the host country's socio-economic development and Vietnam-Hungary friendship. The same day, Márta Mátrai met with Chairman of the NA's Economic Committee Vu Hong Thanh, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam - Hungary Friendship Parliamentarians' Group. Thanh said it is necessary to promote cooperation mechanisms between the two countries, especially the Vietnam - Hungary Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation to facilitate bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties. He hoped that Hungarian businesses will increase investment in areas that Vietnam has demand for and Hungary has str engths such as water resources exploitation, environmental protection, pharmaceuticals, livestock, food processing, renewable energy, manufacturing and processing industries, and infrastructure development. He wished that Hungary will support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to further access its market. Meanwhile, Vietnam is ready to act as a gateway for Hungarian products to enter the ASEAN market, he added./. Source: Vietnam News Agency

A ceremony to repatriate two sets of remains believed to be of US soldier listed as missing in action (MIA) from the war in Vietnam was held at the Da Nang International Airport in the central city of Da Nang on April 16. The ceremony, the 164th of its kind, saw the attendance of Deputy Defence Minister Hoang Xuan Chien, Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu, representatives from the ministries of defence, foreign affairs and public security and the Vietnam Office for Seeking Missing Persons (VNOSMP). On the US side were US Ambassador to Vietnam Marc E. Knapper, US Defence Attaché to Vietnam Thomas Bouchillon and representatives of the US MIA Office in Hanoi. The remains were found as the result of the 154th joint field activity which lasted from February to April 2024. Vietnamese forensic specialists examined the remains and determined that they might belong to US MIAs from the war in Vietnam. The joint efforts of the two governments to search and account for US MIAs since the late 1980s have to date identify over 720 US MIAs. On this occasion, Deputy Defence Minister Chien hosted a reception for US Ambassador Knapper, during which he highly appreciated the US' help for Vietnam to overcome the consequences of war, including raising the budget for the dioxin detoxification project at Bien Hoa airport to 300 million USD; supporting people with disabilities in localities affected by Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin; conducting mine clearance; and cooperating in searching for Vietnamese soldiers who died or went missing during the war. He proposed that the two sides coordinate to early sign a memorandum of understanding on overcoming the consequences of war in Vietnam. Ambassador Knapper affirmed that the US Government is committed at the highest level to supporting Vietnam in overcoming the consequences of war, especially in completely cleaning up dioxin contamination at Bien Hoa airport and transferring DNA examination technology for identifying Vietnamese martyrs' remains. He also expressed a wish to work clos ely with Vietnam to hold activities to mark the 30th anniversary of the normalisation of relations and establishment of diplomatic relationship between the US and Vietnam (1995-2025), the 50th year since the end of the war in Vietnam (1975-2025) and 80 years since the first contact between Viet Minh and the US Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vietnam is confident in its candidacy for re-election to the United Nations Human Rights Council (HRC) for the 2026 - 2028 tenure, the Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, the World Trade Organisation (WTO), and other international organisations in Geneva, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung said while talking about the country's contributions to the HRC's 55th session. The 55th session took place from February 26 to April 4, making it the longest session of the HRC so far. It considered over 80 reports and discussed a wide range of areas related to human rights, from climate change, the right to food, gender equality to such issues as impacts of the conflicts in the Middle East, Ukraine, and other regions in the world on the enjoyment of human rights. Concluding the session, the HRC adopted 32 resolutions and two decisions, approved 14 states' national reports under the HRC's fourth cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) mechanism, and appointed personnel for 14 special procedures of the HRC in vario us areas, said Dung. He told the Vietnam News Agency that the delegation of Vietnam, an HRC member in the 2023 - 2025 tenure, led by Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, actively participated in the session's discussions and making of decisions. Speaking at the session's high-level segment, Minister Son highlighted Vietnam's efforts and achievements in economic, cultural, and social development that have helped ensure social security and people's full enjoyment of human rights. He also shared the country's viewpoint on and approach to issues of the international community's common concern. He stressed the requirement for maintaining and respecting peace, stability and international law; promoting mutual respect and understanding, tolerance, inclusiveness and unanimity; respecting differences, dialogue and cooperation; putting people at the centre of every policy; and ensuring inclusive and sustainable development. The minister re-affirmed the priorities of Vietnam as an HRC member and also called for other states' support for Vietnam's re-election to the HRC in the 2026 - 2028 tenure, according to Dung. The ambassador noted that during the session, apart from its national speeches, Vietnam also actively joined in the drafting and delivered addresses on different topics on behalf of four groups of states. The country represented the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Timor Leste to give a speech at the dialogue with the Special Rapporteur on the Right to Food. It represented the Core Group of the resolution on climate change and human rights (including Bangladesh, the Philippines, and Vietnam) at the dialogue on the report by the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights on measures for mitigating climate change impacts on the enjoyment of the right to food. On behalf of 22 states in different regions, Vietnam delivered a speech at a general debate on the protection of people's essential infrastructure in armed conflicts. As a representative of 63 states, it gave an address at another general debate on accelerating the realisation of the Sustainable Development Goals to boost gender equality. All those issues were priorities of Vietnam and also high on the international community's concern and priority, Dung went on, adding that the support and co-sponsorship of the speeches by many states reflected their high evaluation of Vietnam's role, voice, and capacity of promoting dialogue on human rights-related issues at the HRC. He affirmed that with the country's role and stature, its active and responsible engagement in the HRC during the 2023 - 2025 tenure, and the international community's high evaluation of its participation in multilateral forums, most recently its election to the Executive Board of the Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) for the 2025 - 2027 tenure, there are grounds to be confident on other states' support for Vietnam's candidacy for re-election to the HRC in the 2026 - 2028 tenure./. Source: Vietnam News Agency