National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly Adama Bictogo in Hanoi, on June 14, 2023. (Photo: VNA)

Leaders’ activities

On June 15, President Vo Van Thuong sent a message of sympathy to Nigerian President Bola Tinubu over the recent boat accident in Kwara, Nigeria, causing the death of more than 100 people.

From June 13-16, during the official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly Adama Bictogo and its high-ranking delegation paid a courtesy call to President Vo Van Thuong, had meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and held talks with NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, This is the highest-level delegation and Mr. Bictogo is the first President of the Côte d’Ivoire National Assembly to visit Vietnam in 48 years. Following the talks, the two legislative leaders signed a MoU on cooperation between the two NAs and met the press to inform the outcomes of their talks.

The Vietnamese leaders affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to promoting friendship and cooperation with African friends, of which Côte d’Ivoire is one of the important partners. Highlighting positive progress in the bilateral relations, particularly in politics-diplomacy and economy, the Vietnamese leader held that there remains large room for the two nations to further develop their cooperative ties. On June 15, President of Côte d’Ivoire’s National Assembly Adama Bictogo also has a meeting with Transport Minister Nguyen Van Thang, suggesting specific, substantive activities to enhance bilateral transport cooperation.

On June 16, received Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Silvera Martinez, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed that Vietnam is willing to share experiences of its ‘Doi moi’ (Renewal) process, including the building and improvement of the legal system, and judicial reform, with the Cuban side. Vietnam will do its best to support Cuba in its capacity, and willingly share experiences it has gained, both on issues that have been done well or not, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said.

On June 15, hosting a reception for Cuban Minister of Justice Oscar Manuel Slivera Martinez, National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh said that NA always helps ministries and agencies, including the Ministry of Justice, to strengthen bilateral ties with the Cuban Ministry of Justice in order to offer mutual assistance in legal and judicial matters. He also welcomed the Vietnamese Ministry of Justice’s proposal to develop a technical assistance project for the Cuban counterpart in the field of law building.

On June 14, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a message of condolences to Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni over the passing of former Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi. The same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son also extended condolences to Italian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Antonio Tajani.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh receives UAE Foreign Minister Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan. (Photo: VNA)

On June 14, receiving Minister of Foreign Affairs of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that with great potential for economic and trade cooperation, the two sides should complete negotiations for the Vietnam-UAE Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) as soon as possible. He also asked the UAE to help Vietnam in developing Halal food production and services, and build cooperation mechanisms in Halal certification in Vietnam, helping increase the two-way trade. The Prime Minister also emphasised that Vietnam encourages UAE enterprises and investment funds to invest and transfer technologies in the areas of mutual concern like logistics, real estate, infrastructure and innovation.

On June 16, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted separate receptions for Ambassador Giorgio Aliberti, Head of the European Union (EU) Delegation to Vietnam, and Ambassador of Switzerland to Vietnam Thomas Gass.

At the meeting with Ambassador Aliberti, NA Chairman Hue spoke highly of the Ambassador's efforts in enhancing the relations between the EU and Vietnam in general and the Vietnamese legislature and the European Parliament (EP) in particular. According to the NA leader, Vietnam is working to soon ratify the Convention on Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organise Convention of the International Labour Organisation (ILO Convention 87). Vietnam will seriously fulfill commitments in the EVFTA for the country’s rapid, sustainable development, the NA leader affirmed.

Receiving the Swiss Ambassador, NA Chairman Hue highly valued the upcoming visit to Vietnam by the President of the Swiss National Council to mark the 52nd founding anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties. Switzerland is always an important, reliable partner of Vietnam, he said, informing the Ambassador that the two countries’ legislative leaders are scheduled to hold talks, during which they will exchange views on speeding up negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), comprising Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway and Switzerland.

On June 15, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha hosted a reception for Belarusian Minister of Education Andrei I. Ivanets, affirming that Vietnam pays great attention to the special traditional friendship with Belarus, and bilateral partnership in education and training. Underlining that the two sides have yet to optimise their cooperation potential, the Deputy Prime Minister said that the upcoming visit by the Belarusian Prime Minister is expected to help beef up bilateral ties in a more comprehensive and deeper manner, and education will still be one of the priorities in bilateral cooperation.

Activities of the Foreign Minister

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, Foreign Minister of UAE Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan pays an official visit to Vietnam from June 13 to 14, 2023.

On June 14, during their talks, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan highlighted ample room to further beef up cooperation between the two countries. The Foreign Ministers discussed progress made in the Vietnam-UAE friendship and multifaceted cooperation since two Ministries’ 2nd political consultation in February, particularly in such potential fields as politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, investment, oil and gas, renewable energy, and tourism.

They agreed upon a need to step up the ministries’ coordinating role and the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially high level, to create a breakthrough for the bilateral collaboration; actively coordinate and support each other at multilateral forums; and improve the effectiveness of their political consultation mechanism.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son and his UAE counterpart Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan at the talks in Hanoi, on June 14, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

The Ministers also agreed on continued efforts for the early conclusion of negotiations for and signing of the countries’ Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) within 2023, as well as the acceleration of negotiations to ink cooperation pacts in the areas of agriculture, human resources and technology.

On June 12, in Hanoi, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan, who was in Vietnam for a visit and co-chairing the 9th Vietnam-Thailand political consultation. Foreign Minister Son said the Ministries should step up all-level delegation exchanges, particularly in 2023 to celebrate the 10th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-Thailand strategic partnership. At the same time, they should carry forward their role as a bridge to push ahead with the materialization of the action plan implementing the enhanced strategic partnership in the 2022-2027 period, especially the “Three Connections” initiative that covers supply chain; economies, businesses and localities; and sustainable growth strategies of the two countries, he said.

Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son hosted a reception for Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan in Hanoi, on June 12, 2023. (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

Bilateral activities

On June 13, in Hanoi, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet and Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs of Thailand Sarun Charoensuwan co-chaired the ninth Vietnam-Thailand Political Consultation. Deputy Foreign Minister Do Hung Viet highly appreciated the important significance of the political consultative mechanism in reviewing and promoting the implementation of agreements by the leaders of the two countries; strengthening cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries and exchanging views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. This Political Consultation is also a meaningful activity to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the establishment of the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Thailand.

On June 12, in London, United Kingdom, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Minister of State in the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Anne-Marie Trevelyan co-chaired the ninth Vietnam-UK Strategic Dialogue.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang and Minister of State in the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office Anne-Marie Trevelyan co-chaired the ninth Vietnam-UK Strategic Dialogue in London, UK, on June 12. (Photo: WVR)

They shared the view that the Vietnam-UK strategic dialogue has been developing intensively and comprehensively in all spheres and on both bilateral and multilateral dimensions, especially with the strategic partnership established in 2010 and the 2020 joint statement identifying nine priority areas, showing the countries’ strong determination to elevate bilateral relations. To further intensify the strategic partnership and tap into cooperation potential, the two sides agreed to step up delegation exchanges at all levels, especially high levels; effectively maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms; work together to implement the UKVFTA to raise bilateral trade; and encourage British enterprises to boost investment in Vietnam in such fields as renewable energy, digital technology, finance - banking, innovation, and high-quality infrastructure.

On June 12, at the meeting with Governor of Tokyo Koike Yuriko, Vietnamese Ambassador to Japan Pham Quang Hieu suggested Tokyo city strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of city’s strengths such as environment, technology, digital economy, digital transformation. These are also the areas where leaders of the two countries agreed to strengthen cooperation in bilateral relations.

On June 12, the Vietnamese Embassy in Italy, in collaboration with the Rome-based Centre for International Studies (Ce.SI), has held a seminar themed “Dynamics in the Indo-Pacific and the Importance of Italy’s Engagement” on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the two countries' diplomatic relations.

Multilateral activities

Addressing the 33rd meeting of States Parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) which took place in New York from June 12-16, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations, affirmed that over the past four decades, the UNCLOS, referred to as the "Constitution for the Oceans," has provided a legal framework regulating all activities at sea. As one of the founding members of the UNCLOS Group of Friends, Vietnam reaffirms its commitment to the Convention and the preservation of its universality, integrity, and full implementation.

At the meeting, Ambassador Giang has expressed concern that recent developments in the East Sea could affect peace, security and development. Reiterating Vietnam’s stance on the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the UNCLOS, he affirmed that respecting the sovereignty, sovereign rights, and jurisdiction of coastal states over their territorial waters established by the Convention is a prerequisite for maintaining and ensuring peace, security, and prosperity in the East Sea.

On June 12, on the occasion of the Conference, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, chaired the annual meeting of the Group of Friends of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and celebrated the two-year anniversary of the Group's establishment.

On June 14, meeting with Canadian Ambassador for Climate Change Catherine Stewart, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang said that Vietnam wants to step up cooperation with Canada in terms of finance, investment, technical assistance and experience sharing, especially in renewable energy development.

Vietnam, Canada Ambassadors promote partnership in renewable energy: Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN (L) and Canadian Ambassador for Climate Change Catherine Stewart. (Photo: WVR)

On June 13, speaking at the UN Security Council (UNSC)’s open debate on “Climate change, peace and security”, chaired by Minister of Climate Change and Environment Mariam Almheiri of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) - the UNSC Chair in June, Ambassador Dang Hoang Giang affirmed that the UNSC, with its responsibility to maintain global peace and security, needs to continue promoting its climate change agenda. Reiterating Vietnam's recommendations at the UNSC to establish a comprehensive database on the multidimensional impacts of climate change, Ambassador Giang pledged to continue actively joining in discussions and initiatives related to climate change, including the UN Climate Ambition Summit and the COP-28 in the UAE later this year.

On June 14, the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) took place under the chair of the ASEAN Chair 2023, Indonesia. The focus of discussion of the Meeting was to review the situation and orientation of ARF cooperation, discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern and prepare for the ARF-30 Ministerial Meeting (July 2023). Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of SOM ASEAN Vietnam led the Vietnamese delegation to attend the Meeting.

On June 15, addressing the session themed “Equal access to justice for all: advancing reforms for peaceful, just and inclusive societies”, Minister Counselor Le Thi Minh Thoa, Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the UN, said that equal access to justice plays an important role in ensuring justice and equity, contributing to the achievement of the overarching goal of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Vietnam has made great progress in strengthening the legal framework, and ensuring everyone's equality before the law and in line with international standards on human rights, the Deputy Permanent Representative of Vietnam told the UN General Assembly (UNGA)’s high-level debate in New York.

On June 15, in her interview given to the World and Vietnam Report, Anjanette Saguisag, OIC Representative, UNICEF Vietnam highly appreciated Vietnam's efforts in protecting children's rights. There is no doubt that Vietnam has been a trailblazer in the region and globally, as seen in the country’ early ratification of the Convention on the Rights of the Child and its progressive implementation, she stressed.