Category: Politics

HCM City: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the second meeting of the steering committee for the implementation of the National Assembly’s resolution on piloting special mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City. Issued on June 24, 2023, Resolution 98/2023/QH15 stipulates mechanisms and policies designed specifically for the city in investment management, State finance and budget, urban governance, natural resources and environment, priority fields calling for strategic investors, sci-tech, innovation, and the administrative apparatus of both Ho Chi Minh City and Thu Duc city. PM Chinh hailed the municipal Party organisation, authorities and people for their tireless efforts in fulfilling 2023 political tasks with important results. Its socio-economic landscape exhibited robust month-on-month and quarter-on-quarter growth, surpassing the growth rate in 2022. He noted that the city has completed 10 out of the 22 assigned tasks linked to the resolution, but stressed that there exists a noticeable gap between the current pace and the Government and the city’s expectations. Ministries, agencies and Ho Chi Minh City need specialised units and personnel with responsibility, qualification and passion to dedicate more time and effort to the implementation of the resolution, he urged. The PM assigned specific tasks to his deputies and ministries to accelerate the resolution’s implementation, with Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang tasked with directing the drafting of a Government decree on the decentralisation of State management in certain sectors to the city, an imperative step slated for completion this month. Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha was required to direct the formulation of a decree on mechanisms and policies to facilitate rooftop solar power installation in administrative agencies and public service units, with a tight deadline set for the second quarter. Specific tasks pertaining to expressway projects were also assigned to Deputy PMs Ha and Le Minh Khai. The municipal People’s Committee was told to urgently research and propose an overall investment scheme for urban railway infrastructure. Chairman of the committee Phan Van Mai said the city will submit the scheme in Q1. As the Lunar New Year (Tet) approaches, the Government leader reminded the municipal authorities to ensure a happy, safe and warm Tet for every citizen./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Rome: Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy Duong Hai Hung has visited Italy’s Campania region and its capital city of Naples, aiming to promote Vietnam’s comprehensive cooperation with the Italian localities.

At his meetings with Campania President Vincenzo De Luca, Naples Mayor Gaetano Manfredi and Prefect of Naples Michele di Bari, Hung briefed the host on major cooperation activities of the embassy and Italian partners in Naples.

He held that the two sides should further promote their comprehensive collaboration not only in politics but economy and especially culture.

Leaders of Campania and Naples welcomed and showed support to Vietnam’s cooperation proposals, affirming that Vietnam is a prioritised partner in its internationalisation scheme of the locality. They pledged to provide optimal conditions for local firms to explore the Vietnamese market, especially in the fields of aquaculture and culture, as well as mechanical manufacturing, space industry, supporting technology, food processing, and marine econ
omic cooperation.

Manfredi spoke highly of cooperation outcomes between the two sides across all fields, affirming that he will support the promotion of Vietnamese image through the city’s public means, while coordinating with the Vietnamese side to organise film screenings and exhibitions about Vietnam, as well as promoting delegation exchanges and seeking cooperation opportunities with localities of Vietnam.

At a Vietnam-Naples forum on economic and cultural connectivity held in Naples on January 30, Ambassador Hung said that Naples and Campania are important economic drivers of the Italian southern region with strengths in agriculture, pharmaceuticals and tourism, which can support Vietnam during the country’s industrialisation and modernisation process.

Naples Deputy Mayor Laura Lieto and Regional Minister for Startups, Innovation, Internationalisation of Campania Valeria Fascione highlighted the role of culture as a premise for international cooperation.

Campania, owning a large number of UNESCO-reco
gnised world cultural heritages, hopes to cooperate with Vietnam in heritage conservation, land and water resources management, they said.

He welcomed enterprises of Naples and Campania to strengthen exchanges and partnership with their Vietnamese peers through the exchange of delegations and the joining of conferences and trade fairs in Vietnam as well as activities held by the embassy in Italy.

During his trip from January 29-30, Ambassador Hung had a working session with Prof. Roberto Tottoli, Principal of the University of Naples “L’Orientale on specific cooperation activities such as the opening of a Vietnamese faculty in the university as well as the exchange of students and research cooperation with Vietnamese universities and research institutions./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang, who is also Chairwoman of the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese (OV) Affairs, has extended her best wishes to Vietnamese people living around the world on the occasion of the nearing traditional Tet (Lunar New Year).

In her Tet greeting letter, Hang wrote that in 2023, the world witnessed unpredictable changes, beyond forecasts. However, under the leadership of the Party and State, and the consensus of the Vietnamese people, including more than 6 million compatriots abroad, the country steadfastly surfed difficulties and gained many important and comprehensive achievements in all fields, especially in keeping economic development momentum, ensuring social security, maintaining independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

External affairs also reaped achievements of historical significance, contributing to increasing the image, stature, reputation and position of Vietnam in the international arena.

She said she was deeply moved and app
reciated as the OV community well serves as a bridge connecting Vietnam with the world, and makes important contributions to the Fatherland building, development and safeguarding cause.

The official affirmed the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs will always stand side by side with OVs, make efforts to implement programmes and activities more effectively to connect the communities abroad as well as connecting Vietnamese people at home and abroad.

She wished the entire OV community a warm Tet, and a new year of good health, happiness and prosperity./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh demanded renewing current growth drivers and optimising new ones while chairing the Government’s regular meeting on February 1.

The meeting reviewed the socio-economic situation in January, the allocation and disbursement of public investment, and the implementation of the three national target programmes.

PM Chinh noted that a number important economic, political, social, and diplomatic activities along with extraordinary sessions of the Party Central Committee and the National Assembly (NA) took place last month.

Under the leadership of the Party and thanks to support from the NA and the involvement of the entire political system, people and businesses, the January socio-economic situation continued to enjoy encouraging results, he said, elaborating that the macro-economy basically remained stable; inflation under control; major balances of the economy guaranteed; the agricultural, industrial, and service sectors recording many rosy signs right since the year’s begin
ning; while development investment posting positive results.

Besides, planning and digital transformation continued to be enhanced; cultural and social affairs given more attention; people’s life quality further improved; and the implementation of the three targeted strategic breakthroughs accelerated. Preparations have been stepped up to ensure a merry Lunar New Year (Tet) festival for people. Meanwhile, the political and social situation has been kept stable, defence and security firmly safeguarded, and external relations promoted strongly, he pointed out.

For February and beyond, the PM asked Government members to look back on the situation and lessons, particularly in direction issuance, governance, and policy response, to devise measures for renewing the current growth drivers of investment, export and consumption; adding and optimising new impetuses like digital economy, green economy, circular economy, and innovation; creating jobs for people; addressing production chain disruptions; and further enga
ging domestic businesses in global supply chains.

In addition, the Cabinet leader requested promoting the development of cultural and social fields, ensuring security and defence, fostering external relations, and maximising the resources owned by State-owned enterprises. In particular, the immediate task is to ensure a merry, healthy, and economical Tet for all, with no one left behind./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Brusels: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son is in Brussels for the 24th ASEAN-EU Ministerial Meeting (AEMM) and the third EU-Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (EU-IPMF) as well as a visit to Belgium from January 30 to February 3.

Vietnamese Ambassdor to Belgium and head of the Vietnam Mission to the EU Nguyen Van Thao said that the EU-IPMF gathers nearly 70 delegations from EU member countries and more than 40 countries in the Indo-Pacific region, as well as representatives from a number of international organisations.

The initiative was proposed by the EU in 2022, serving as an important mechanism for the EU and the Indo-Pacific region to share their evaluations on new developments and trends of the world, reviewing achievements and sketching out new cooperation orientations and prospects to connect the two regions, thus strengthening solidarity and coordination in dealing with common issues of the globe, said Thao.

He said that at the forum, the Vietnamese FM will deliver a speech on green transition
, which is one of the promising and prioritised area in the Vietnam-EU partnership, as well as the inevitable trend of the world economy, and the development direction of Vietnam.

Vietnam, one of the countries that are hardest hit by climate change and environmental pollution, is in need of strong cooperation from the international community, including the EU, to mitigate climate change, enhance adaptation capacity and promote sustainable development, the diplomat underlined, stressing that this is an area of the EU’s strength. The EU has also shown interest in promoting strong collaboration with Vietnam to build a model new-style cooperation between the EU and the Indo-Pacific region in this important field, he added.

Meanwhile, the 24th AEMM, which is the first one held in-person after five years due to COVID-19 pandemic, is the continuation and promotion of important results achieved in the recent high-level events, aiming to lift up ASEAN-EU relationship to a new height, making it more substaintial, eff
ective and strategic.

Regarding the Vietnam-Belgium relations, Thao underscored that the ties have seen breakthrough growth over the years, especially after Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to the European country in December 2022. The two sides have maintained regular high-level visits, he noted, adding that this year, the Belgian King will choose Vietnam for his only official visit outside the EU this year.

Together with the visits, bustling activities to promote economic connectivity and bolster bilateral trade and investment cooperation over the years have laid a firm foundation for the two sides to optimise their cooperation potential, the diplomat said.

He noted that Belgium is currently a strategic partner of Vietnam in agriculture, and a promising partner in many other fields such as infrastructure development, seaport, hydrogen, health care and pharmacieuticals.

Belgium is playing the role of European Council President in the first half of 2024, enabling the country to help Vietnam
to promote ties with the EU, said Ambassador Thao.

In order to boost partnership between Vietnam and the EU, the diplomat proposed that Vietnam need to make comprehensive and systematic strategies to promote bilateral trade and investment ties in the future, with the identification of prioritised cooperation areas and potential partners, while increasing in-depth trade and investment promotion activities in the EU to deepen mutual understanding and connect businesses of the two sides, and keeping close contact to maintain collaboration momentum, held the diplomat./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Brazilian President Lula da Silva affirmed that Vietnam is an important partner of his country while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador Bui Van Nghi, who came to present his credentials in Brasilia on January 31.

Expressing his admiration for the achievements Vietnam have obtained over the past years, the host leader lauded the development of bilateral relations and asked the two countries to enhance cooperation in multiple spheres, including politics – diplomacy, economy – trade, agriculture, and science – technology.

He noted that bilateral trade has been growing strongly over the past years to approximate 7 billion USD in 2023, so the countries should further promote ties in this field.

The President added he hopes to pay a second visit to Vietnam in the near future, after the first in 2008.

For his part, Nghi voiced his honour to serve as Ambassador of Vietnam to Brazil, pledging to help foster the two countries’ comprehensive partnership in an increasingly substantive and effective manner in all
the three pillars of party-to-party, state-to-state, and people-to-people diplomacy.

The ambassador emphasised that he will exert efforts to develop bilateral economic – trade – investment ties on par with the sound political relations, firstly implementing the commitments stated in the joint communiqué issued during Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Brazil in September 2023.

He vowed to coordinate closely with the South American country to organise celebrations of the 35th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (May 8, 1989 – 2024) and the 17th anniversary of the comprehensive partnership (May 2007 – 2024) this year.

At the meeting, Nghi also conveyed President Vo Van Thuong’s invitation to visit Vietnam to President Lula da Silva./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency