Political News 28/8

Venezuelan President to make official visit to Vietnam

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros will pay an official visit to Vietnam from August 30 to 31 at the invitation of State President Truong Tan Sang.

Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro Moros -- Photo: AP

Vietnam and Venezuela set up diplomatic relations in December 1989.

As of last April, Vietnam poured 1.8 billion USD into its projects in Venezuela, making the Latin American country among its top investment destinations, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency.

Embassy in US celebrates diplomacy sector anniversary

The Vietnamese Embassy in the US on August 26 held a ceremony to celebrate the 70th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomacy sector (August 28).

Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh and participants at the ceremony -- Photo: VNA

Addressing the event, Ambassador Pham Quang Vinh reviewed the sector’s 70-year glorious path of serving national defence and construction.

He said that this year is an important year for Vietnam-US ties as the two countries are celebrating the 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations with a recent visit by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the US, during which both sides issued a joint vision statement.

The diplomat expressed his belief in the bright future of Vietnam-US ties.

On the occasion, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Nguyen Trong Son also spoke to Vietnam News Agency correspondents on the achievements Vietnamese Embassy in France has obtained in past years as a result of the comprehensive diplomatic programme in the host country.

The embassy has contributed to increasing the two countries’ delegation exchanges at all levels. French President Francois Mitterand was the first western president to visit Vietnam in 1993, while President Jacques Chirac came to Vietnam twice and incumbent President Francois Hollande plans to visit the country soon, he noted.

Economic diplomacy has also been sped up, he said, noting that France is now one of the largest European investors and trade partners of Vietnam.

About 7,000 Vietnamese nationals are currently studying in France, said the ambassador.

In terms of diplomacy among the peoples, Son said many French walked hand-in-hand with Vietnamese during the revolution for national independence, with outstanding names like Henri Martin and Raymonde Dien.

The embassy has maintained a loyal camaraderie with traditional friends while expanding affable relations with French people through different channels, helping promoting the image of Vietnam and its people in France, he said.

The diplomacy sector, established in August 28, 1945 with the formation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, has contributed significantly to the national revolution with victories seen in the Geneva Agreement in 1954 and Paris Agreement in 1973.

So far, Vietnam has set up diplomatic relations with 185 countries and strategic partnerships with 24 entities, including all United Nations Security Council permanent members.

Vietnam also has economic-trade relations with 220 countries and has become a member of 70 regional and international organisations.

Diplomatic sector receives noblest order for 70-year dedication

The diplomatic sector received the Golden Star Order—the noblest order of Vietnam— for the second time at a ceremony marking its 70th founding anniversary (August 28, 1945) in Hanoi on August 27.

The sector got the Order for the first time in 1995.

At the event, State President Truong Tan Sang said the distinction illustrated the Party, State and people’s recognition of the great contributions of the sector.

He expressed his gratitude to the late President Ho Chi Minh who founded Vietnam’s revolutionary diplomacy, and former diplomats, noting that the successes of the diplomatic sector have made through their tireless efforts and even sacrifices.

During the 70-year course of national development, the diplomatic sector has assisted with revolutionary missions. It has taken the lead in coping with internal and external enemies while effectively coordinating with political and military forces to win over international support for Vietnam’s struggles.

The State leader said diplomacy is of paramount importance in the national rebuilding period as it has helped break apart sanctions; implement the policy of diversification and multilateralisation of foreign relations; actively contribute to the safeguarding of national sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; protect the Party and socialism; ensure a peaceful environment; and garner international cooperation and support to the national development.

President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the sector’s substantial dedication over the past 30 years of “doi moi” (reform), elaborating that while Vietnam had diplomatic relations with only 11 countries in 1954, it has set up official ties with 185 countries and promoted economic, trade and investment cooperation with 224 markets around the globe at present.

The country has sound relations with all world powers, including five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, he noted, adding that it has also accelerated international integration and joined in more than 500 bilateral and multilateral agreements in various spheres. It has also actively played its role at important multilateral and economic forums in the region and the world.

He emphasised that this is the first time Vietnam has had such widespread, equal and friendly foreign relations; a peaceful and stable international environment; and strong and favourable standing in the global arena. The achievements were attained through the combination of both internal and external factors with the determinant being the Party’s righteous and lucid leadership.

The President asked the diplomatic staff to consistently bear in mind that national interests are the top priority while thoroughly grasping Party guidelines and policies and flexibly applying Ho Chi Minh’s ideology of diplomacy.

They should also unceasingly renew their thinking, he said, urging the sector to enhance research studies and forecasting to issue timely and efficient strategies and policies, ultimately ensuring national benefits and creating the best conditions for the country’s growth.

On behalf of the diplomatic staff, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed his honour to receive the Golden Star Order and pledged the sector’s resolve to uphold its 70-year tradition and devotion to the country’s development and protection.

Lao PM hails military cooperation with Vietnam

Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong has applauded the effective cooperation between Vietnamese and Lao armies, which has contributed to building shared borderlines of peace, stability and development.

At a reception for Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty—Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army—in Vientiane on August 27, the Lao PM said enhancing military cooperation is essential to deepen the special relations between the two armies and countries.

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, people and army for their invaluable material, human and spiritual assistance in the resistance war against French and US forces as well as in peace time.

He confirmed that Laos will continually educate future generations on the huge support Vietnam has provided as well as nurture and promote the special relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

For his part, Ty briefed the host on the outcomes of cooperation between the two nations’ defence ministries along with orientations and plans to develop bilateral affiliation in the years to come.

He affirmed that the Vietnamese and Lao defence ministries have worked closely across fields from Party building and political work to delegation exchanges, training and military aid reform, which, he said, have substantially contributed to deepening the relations between the two countries.

Vietnamese, Cambodian localities beef up military ties

The Military Command of the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong and Cambodia’s Siem Reap Province military sub-region have signed a memorandum of understanding to strengthen their partnership.

Under the document, which was signed by the two units’ commanders in Lam Dong’s Da Lat City on August 26, the two sides will regularly exchange information and experience.

They will also work together to put forth measures to prevent and combat trans-national crimes, terrorism, drug and weapon trafficking and actions that threaten each country’s security.

The Lam Dong provincial Military Command will assist the Siem Reap provincial military sub-region in upgrading and building barracks as well as supplying daily necessaries to the unit.

They will regularly inform each other about flood prevention, rescue efforts as well as national disaster and disease situations directly associated with the armed forces in each country.

Apart from boosting cultural and sports exchanges with the Lam Dong Military Command, the Cambodian side will provide information about Vietnamese soldiers and volunteers who lost their lives during the war in Siem Reap.

The same day, the two units set up a twinning relationship and reached regulations on their ties.

VNA/VNS