Welcome ceremony held for German President in Hanoi


Hanoi: President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse hosted a grand welcome ceremony with cannon salute for German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse in Hanoi on January 23.

President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse are making a state visit to Vietnam from January 23-24 at the inviation of President Vo Van Thuong.

Following the play of the countries’ national anthems, the two state leaders reviewed the honour guard of the Vietnamese People’s Army. Subsequently, they introduced participating members of the sides’ high-level delegations.

After the reception, the presidents, heading their respective high-level delegations, commended their talks, evaluating the results of cooperation between the two countries in recent times and proposing directions for ties in the future./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Prime Minister wraps up tour of Europe


Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and the high-ranking delegation of Vietnam arrived back in Hanoi on January 23, concluding a tour of Europe from January 16 to 23 to attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and pay official visits to Hungary and Romania.

Engaging in more than 30 activities during his two-day stay in Davos, PM Chinh attended the WEF’s Country Strategic Dialogue on Vietnam and a dialogue on Vietnam’s global vision, while also delivering remarks at other events of the WEF Annual Meeting.

The events left strong impression on participants about the country’s outstanding socio-economic achievements, development orientations and strategies, foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, and responsible and effective contributions to regional and global peace and development.

On this occasion, he also had over 20 meetings with leaders of countries, international organisations, and major enterprises to further intensify relations with partners i
n various areas, especially economy, trade, investment, science, technology, digital transformation, green transition, health care, and intellectual property.

Meanwhile, during the official visits to Hungary and Romania, PM Chinh took part in over 30 meetings with all high-ranking leaders of the States, Governments, parliaments, and political parties of the two countries. He also delivered policy speeches at universities, took part in business forums, met with the two countries’ friendship associations with Vietnam, talked to the Vietnamese communities, and visited some economic and scientific – and technical establishments there.

Vietnam and the two European countries agreed to augment cooperation in all spheres. While the Vietnamese side expressed the readiness to serve as a bridge linking Hungary and Romania with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the latter two said they will also help connect Vietnam with Europe.

Vietnam and the European countries also agreed to fully implement the EU
– Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and persuade the remainders to ratify the EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

A number of cooperation documents in multiple fields were signed during the visits, including nearly 30 on cooperation in education – training between Vietnamese universities and training institutions of the two countries.

The Government leader also met with the Vietnamese communities in Hungary and Romania.

The official visits marked important milestones in the Vietnam – Hungary comprehensive partnership and the Vietnam – Romania traditional and friendly partnership. They consolidated political trust and foster all-round cooperation in a more result-oriented manner for the sake of each country’s prosperity and for regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

German President arrives in Hanoi, beginning state visit to Vietnam


Hanoi: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse arrived in Hanoi on January 23 morning, starting their two-day state visit to Vietnam at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse.

They were welcomed at Noi Bai International Airport by Chairman of the Presidential Office Le Khanh Hai, Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Tran Sy Thanh, and Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh, among others.

This is the first foreign visit of the German President in 2024 and the first high-level delegation exchange between the two countries this year – a pivotal year towards the 50th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations in 2025.

He is scheduled to meet with Vietnam’s top leaders to discuss measures to promote bilateral cooperation in various fields, and exchange views on international issues of mutual concern.

The President also plans to visit several German projects in Ho Chi Minh City and its surrounding areas./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

PM’s Europe tour successful in multiple aspects: Foreign Minister


Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s attendance in the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos and official visits to Hungary and Romania have reaped successes in multiple aspects, said Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.

Talking to the media, Son said that with over 30 activities in just two days in Davos, PM Chinh’s participation in the WEF Annual Meeting 2024 reached all the set targets at a high level and strongly popularise the image of Vietnam as a country with a new stature and prestige.

Among the significant results, he elaborated, first, international organisations highly valued Vietnam’s mindset, vision, and solutions shared by PM Chinh about the enhancement of international solidarity, the upholding of multilateralism, the building of strategic trust, and the ensuring of the balance of interests, and the promotion of global and all-people approaches.

In particular, the Country Strategic Dialogue on Vietnam, the dialogue on Vietnam’s global vision, and other sessi
ons left strong impression on participants about the country’s outstanding socio-economic achievements, development orientations and strategies, foreign policy of independence and self-reliance, and responsible and effective contributions to regional and global peace and development.

Second, the PM’s speeches sent out clear messages about Vietnam as a dynamically developing and reforming country and an attractive destination for global enterprises.

Representatives of enterprises said they were impressed with Vietnam’s strategic development vision, expressed their interest in investment and business opportunities in the country, and pledged to send business delegations to Vietnam in the time ahead, the Foreign Minister said.

Third, via the world’s leading economic forum, Vietnam grasped new cooperation mindsets and ideas, along with new trends of the global economy, realising that the world is entering a new development stage with growth driven by artificial intelligence and low-carbon technologies. And,

F
ourth, the Government leader’s participation continued to step up Vietnam’s relations with the WEF in an increasingly substantive manner, in such fields as setting up an Industry 4.0 centre in Ho Chi Minh City and helping develop new skills for high-quality human resources to shape an ecosystem for strengthening national competitiveness, Son went on.

He added that in Davos, PM Chinh also engaged in more than 20 meetings with leaders of countries, international organisations, and major enterprises to further intensify relations with partners in various areas, especially economy, trade, investment, science, technology, digital transformation, green transition, health care, and intellectual property.

The PM’s official visits to Hungary and Romania following his attendance in the WEF Annual Meeting were also highly successful. They marked the first delegation exchange at the PM level with Hungary in seven years and with Romania in five years, ahead of the 75th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic ties with the t
wo European countries in 2025. They aimed to continue strongly implementing the foreign policy set at the 13th National Party Congress, which prioritises reinforcing relations with comprehensive and traditional partners, helping deepen political trust and connections with the Central and Eastern European friends in all fields, according to Son.

During the visits, he said, PM Chinh had over 30 meetings with all high-ranking leaders of the States, Governments, parliaments, and political parties of Hungary and Romania. He also delivered policy speeches at universities, took part in business forums, met with the two countries’ friendship associations with Vietnam, talked to the Vietnamese communities, and visited some economic, scientific, and technical establishments there.

Leaders of both Hungary and Romania noted they were strongly impressed with Vietnam’s socio-economic development achievements, and also spoke highly of Vietnam’s growing stature in the international arena.

Affirming that Vietnam is a partn
er of leading importance of their countries in the Asia-Pacific, they expressed their hope that bilateral relations will grow in a more substantive and effective manner, and that their countries and Vietnam will coordinate to deal with international issues and respond to global challenges.

PM Chinh and leaders of the two European countries reached consensus on many important measures for lifting Vietnam’s traditional friendship with the two to a new development stage, the Foreign Minister continued.

In addition, an array of cooperation documents in the fields of security, diplomacy, economy, culture, labour, agriculture, information technology, and locality-to-locality ties were signed with Hungary and Romania. A highlight of the trips was the cooperation in education – training with nearly 30 deals inked between Vietnamese universities and training institutions of the two countries.

Son noted that the Vietnamese PM and Hungarian and Romanian leaders also touched upon some regional and international issues
of shared concern. They agreed on the importance of peacefully resolving disputes on the basis of international law.

The Foreign Minister described the official visits as important milestones in the Vietnam – Hungary comprehensive partnership and the Vietnam – Romania traditional friendship. They consolidated political trust and foster all-round cooperation in a more result-oriented manner to serve Vietnam’s security and development interests and contribute to regional and global peace, stability, cooperation, and development./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Similarities, common interests help develop Malta-Vietnam relations: Ambassador


Hanoi: Despite their geographical distance, over the past years, Malta and Vietnam have identified similarities and common interests, helping them cooperate in many fields for the benefit of the two peoples, Malta Ambassador to Vietnam John Busuttil has told the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties (January 14).

Busuttil said that the 50th anniversary is a truly remarkable milestone and an opportunity for the two countries to look back on the achievements of the past five decades to better outline a roadmap for their promising friendship for the coming decades.

Regarding bilateral cooperation, Malta and Vietnam have signed agreements on trade, economics, finance and science, he said, adding that Malta is always willing to explore new and diverse areas of cooperation with Vietnam to develop mutual respect and understanding and common cohesion.

The two countries have developed a shared commitment to pursuing peace and prosperity, with their participatio
n in the United Nations affirming these goals, highlighting their dynamism and flexibility as members of the international community, and making them more resilient in the face of global challenges.

Regarding priorities in Malta’s relationship with Vietnam, the diplomat said that at the bilateral level, Malta wants to further explore opportunities for trade cooperation with Vietnam – one of the fastest growing economies in the world. The consistent growth, and the flexibility and know-how in the manufacturing sector make Vietnam an attractive partner and Malta is increasingly aware of the commercial potential of this relationship.

In addition, Malta also sees many opportunities for collaboration in the fields of education and advanced manufacturing, he said, adding that his country can provide Vietnam with support in teaching English as a foreign language and in specific fields such as international maritime law.

To enhance the bilateral ties, this year, Malta plans to organise several events in Vietnam on
the occasion of the European country’s Independence Day in September, said the ambassador./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Singaporean naval ship visits Khanh Hoa province


Hanoi: Singapore’s naval ship RSS ENDEAVOUR anchored at Cam Ranh International Port on January 22, beginning a four-day visit to the south central province of Khanh Hoa.

The visit aims to contribute to strengthening cooperation, mutual understanding and trust between the armies of Vietnam and Singapore in general and their naval forces in particular.

During the visit, the ship’s officiers are scheduled to paid a courtesy visit to the Naval Region 4 High Command while its sailors will join exchange activities with young officers and soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Navy.

Besides, the Singaporean naval ship will coordinate with the Vietnam People’s Navy to conduct a joint training session at sea after leaving the port./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency