Category: Politics

On March 23, a telephone conversation took place between Azerbaijan’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Jeyhun Bayramov and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov.

During the telephone conversation, Minister Jeyhun Bayramov expressed deep sorrow over the terrible terrorist attack that resulted in numerous casualties in the Crocus City Hall center in Moscow on 22 March.

The minister has expressed deep condolences to the families and relatives of the victims, the people and government of Russia, and wished a speedy recovery to the victims.

It was emphasized that the Republic of Azerbaijan, as a state suffering from terrorism, categorically condemns all its forms and manifestations.

Source: Azerbaijan State News Agency

Hanoi: National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has welcomed the first Vietnam visit by a high-ranking delegation from the US-ASEAN Business Council (USABC) since Vietnam and the US upgraded their relations to a comprehensive strategic partnership last year.

At a reception in Hanoi on March 20 for the delegation led by USABC President and CEO Ted Osius, Chairman Hue affirmed that Vietnam considers US a leading important partner, especially in economy and trade.

Vietnam is willing to develop the comprehensive strategic partnership with the US on the basis of respecting each other’s independence, sovereignty, territorial integrity and political regimes, he said, adding that Vietnam priosities expanding cooperative ties with the US on all the bilateral, regional and global aspects with a higher level of mutual understanding and trust.

Highlighting Vietnam’s key goals of making breakthroughs in infrastructure, institutional reforms, and human resources development; promoting the application of sci-techno
logy, innovation, digital transformation, green transition, sustainable development and climate change response, the top legislator said he was delighted to know that many big US enterprises and corporations consider Vietnam a strategic market, share a common vision with Vietnam’s development directions and commit to long-term operations in the country.

He hailed the US enterprises for engaging in projects to assist Vietnam in achieving its carbon emission reduction goals and fulfilling commitments made at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

Speaking highly of the US Government’s commitment to consider granting the market economy status to Vietnam, Chairman Hue called it a practical and significant step that would lay a premise for all-around cooperation and benefit businesses and citizens of both countries.

The Vietnamese NA always strongly supports the development of the Vietnam-US relations, efforts to create a legal and policy framework that is favourable, stable,
transparent and conducive for foreign enterprises, including those from the US, to continue operating, expanding their scale, and achieving long-term growth in Vietnam, particularly in the areas where the US possesses strengths and Vietnam has demand, he said.

He added that Vietnam encourages US firms to increase investment and collaboration with Vietnamese counterparts in the fields of green transition, clean and renewable energy, transport infrastructure, digital economy, high technology, healthcare – pharmaceuticals, electronics – semiconductors, manufacturing, finance – banking, logistics and quality workforce training.

The leader wished that the USABC firms step up investment and provide financial assistance, expertise and specialists for start-up and innovative projects, as well as those using modern technologies, added value and highly competitive solutions.

With its reputation and extensive network, he expected that the USABC would further leverage its role as a bridge facilitating stronger coopera
tion between the US Government and Congress, and the Vietnamese NA, including supporting the establishment of a group of congressmen who are friendly to Vietnam and sharing information about planned visits to Vietnam by US congressmen delegations.

USABC President and CEO Ted Osius highlighted the commitment of US businesses to realise the US-Vietnam comprehensive strategic partnership and their alignment with Vietnam’s development priorities.

About the US’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy status, he said the USABC has provided evidence of Vietnam’s market economy and submitted recommendations and reports to the US Department of Commerce.

He also highlighted two points, including guidance on avoiding double taxation on e-commerce and digital platforms, and policy guidance on cooperation with small and medium-sized enterprises in the private sector and public-private partnerships.

In response, Chairman Hue said proposals by the US firms would be considered by the Vietnamese NA, Government, ministrie
s and agencies, towards ultimately creating the most favourable business environment for enterprises, including those from the US.

It was the third working session between the top Vietnamese legislator and the USABC since the beginning of the 15th term of the NA./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The 13th Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) convened a meeting at its headquarters in Hanoi on March 20 to consider and give opinions on the wish to cease holding positions by Vo Van Thuong, Politburo member, member of the 13th CPV Central Committee, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council for the 2021-2026 tenure.

Thuong is a key leader of the Party and State, received fundamental training, grew up from the grassroots and was assigned to hold many important leadership positions of the Party and the State. However, recent reports from the CPV Central Committee’s Inspection Commission and relevant authorities showed that Thuong has violated regulations on what Party members must not do, and regulations concerning the responsibility to set an example of officials and Party members, firstly members of the Political Bureau, the CPV Central Committee’s Secretariat, and the CPV Central Committee; and bears the responsib
ility of the head in line with the Party’s regulations and the State’s laws.

His violations and shortcomings have sparked negative public opinions and affected the prestige of the Party and the State, as well as his own reputation. Fully being aware of his responsibilities before the Party, the State and the people, Thuong submitted an application to cease holding the assigned positions and to stop working.

In pursuant to the current regulations of the Party and the State, and in consideration of Thuong’s wish, the Party Central Committee agreed to let Thuong cease holding the positions: Politburo member, member of the 13th CPV Central Committee, President of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, and Chairman of the National Defence and Security Council for the 2021-2026 tenure.

At the meeting, the Party Central Committee also considered disciplinary measures against Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, member of the 13th Party Central Committee, former Secretary of the Party Committee and Chairwoman of the People’s Council o
f Vinh Phuc province.

Lan has shown degradation in political ideology, morality and lifestyle; seriously violated the Party’s regulations and the State’s laws on fulfilling her assigned duties and responsibilities, breached regulations on what Party members must not do and the responsibility to set an example, committed negative acts, and received bribes, causing very serious consequences that have stirred public concerns, severely hurting the reputation of the local Party organisation and administration.

Based on the content, nature, level, consequences and causes of the violations, and implementing the Party’s regulations on disciplining violating Party organisations and Party members, the Party Central Committee decided to expel Lan from the Party as a disciplinary measure.

The Party Central Committee assigned the Politburo to direct relevant agencies to carry out procedures in line with with the regulations./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The National Assembly Standing Committee has decided to convene the sixth extraordinary meeting of the 15th-tenure legislature to consider personnel affairs under its authority.

The meeting will take place at on March 21 morning the NA House in Hanoi.

The decision is pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the revised Law on Organisation of the NA, NA session regulations issued in the NA’s Resolution No. 71/2022/QH15 dated November 11, 2022./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The National Assembly Standing Committee has decided to convene the sixth extraordinary meeting of the 15th-tenure legislature to consider personnel affairs under its authority.

The meeting will take place at on March 21 morning the NA House in Hanoi.

The decision is pursuant to the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, the revised Law on Organisation of the NA, NA session regulations issued in the NA’s Resolution No. 71/2022/QH15 dated November 11, 2022./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 20 for Second Minister for Trade and Industry of Singapore Tan See Leng, who is on a visit to Vietnam.

During the meeting, the Deputy PM highlighted the sound development of the Vietnam – Singapore relations across a variety of fields in recent times.

In 2023, on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations, and 10 years since Vietnam and Singapore established the strategic partnership, the two countries signed many important cooperation agreements, opening up new opportunities to boost sustainable development cooperation between the two countries, especially in new areas such as energy transition, digital economy, digital transformation, and the green economy, he said.

The host said he supports cooperation in new areas in line with global trends, thus contributing to further deepening the Vietnam-Singapore strategic partnership in the coming time.

The two sides focused their discussion on the prospects of
cooperation in areas of semiconductors, artificial intelligence, innovation, digital and green economic development, and establishing free trade zones.

They also mentioned the possibility of establishing legal support channels for Singaporean investors in Vietnam, the potential signing of agreements on carbon credits, and cooperation in energy transition towards achieving the goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

Regarding trade cooperation, two-way trade between Vietnam and Singapore hit 9.1 billion USD in 2023, and is estimated to reach 2.4 billion USD in the first quarter of 2024, up 8.3% year-on-year, and higher than the average trade growth between Vietnam and ASEAN (7.2%).

Singapore is the largest Southeast Asian investor in Vietnam, and the second biggest investor among 143 countries and territories, with a total registered capital of 73.5 billion across 3,274 valid projects.

Vietnam and Singapore also closely cooperate in regional and international forums such as ASEAN, APEC, WTO, particularly withi
n frameworks and mechanisms led by ASEAN. Both countries are members of major free trade agreements such as the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP) Agreement.

Vietnam and Singapore, as ASEAN members, signed FTAs with the UK and the European Union, facilitating stronger cooperation between their business communities./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency