NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (C) and Speaker of the Senate Beatriz Argimon Cedeira (R) and Speaker of the Chamber of Representatives Sebastian Andujar during the visit to the South American nation in April.

Vietnam, Uruguay start new page in bilateral relations

Vietnamese Ambassador to Argentina, concurrently Uruguay, Duong Quoc Thanh has highlighted the achievements in that nation’s ties with Uruguay over recent times, as well as prospects for future co-operation, in a recent media interview given on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of both nations’ diplomatic relations which began in 1993.

Regarding the various achievements recorded in friendship and joint co-operative relations over the past three decades, as well as the strengths that need to be promoted, Ambassador Thanh said that despite being a small country in South America a population of three million, Uruguay can be viewed as a rare case of success in economic development and social stability in the region.

Overall, Uruguay is the country that boasts the highest per capita income in Latin America, having developed its science and technology sector with 95% of electricity coming from renewable energy sources.

Both nations officially established diplomatic relations on August 11, 1993. Over the past 30 years, friendship and co-operation has been positively developing in the fields of politics, diplomacy, and trade.

Political trust and mutual understanding between the two sides has been continuously consolidated with the use of regular delegation exchanges taking place at all levels along with important co-operation mechanisms such as the Intergovernmental Cooperation Committee and political consultations.

The two sides also maintain bilateral contacts at the UN's sidelines conferences or the Forum for East Asia-Latin American Cooperation (FEALAC). This year will see the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of their diplomatic relations, with the highlight being a high-level visit by a National Assembly (NA) delegation led by Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue in April.

This visit will feature many meetings held between senior leaders in both side’s government, ministries, sectors, and localities, with these efforts contributing to deepening mutual understanding whilst consolidating mutual trust at the highest level, thereby openin a new page in bilateral ties in the future.

Discussing the potential of further co-operation between the two countries, both in bilateral relations as well as in international links and at multilateral forums, the Vietnamese diplomat stated that economic co-operation can be seen as an important pillar and is a bright spot in bilateral ties. Indeed, Uruguay has an economy based mainly on agricultural exports

Two-way trade increased from US$27 million in 2007 to over US$100 million in 2019. Last year’s bilateral trade reached US$190 million. However, the trade turnover remains far below their full potential that exists.

There remain plenty of room for both nations to expand collaboration that can be exploited in fields such as cattle breeding, agro-fishery processing industry, biotechnology-genetics, rice varieties, water purifier production technology, and information technology.

Uruguay is keen to export beef and sheep wool to the Vietnamese market, as well as being interested in importing a number of items such as fish, dried tropical fruits, and beer, cited VOV.

At multilateral forums, the two countries continue to promote ties whilst providing mutual support. In line with this, the South American country wants Vietnamese support in joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), and has always expressed its support for Vietnam in the process of negotiating a free trade agreement (FTA) with the Common Market of South America (MERCOSUR), of which Uruguay is a member, along with Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay.

In particular, the two sides agreed to protect the principles and values of international law in dealing with multilateral issues, Ambassador Thanh added.

Mentioning what needs to be done to allow bilateral relations to continue to develop in the coming time, Ambassador Thanh said with the two nations’ desire to develop bilateral relations further, both sides need to continue exchanging high-level delegations at all levels through the Party, State, NA, and other channels. This includes socio-political organizations and people-to-people exchanges in order to deepen the traditional friendship that exists between the two countries.

Both sides believe that relations do not currently meet the two nations’ potential and are keen to bolster ties, not only in politics and economics, but also need to expand co-operation in science, industry, culture, and tourism, not only for the benefit of the two countries, but also to contribute to peace, stability, co-operation, and development in the region.

Discussing the focus of joint co-operation between both this year and in the future, Ambassador Thanh said 2023 has seen Vietnam urge Uruguay to reaffirm its commitment to support the nation in negotiating FTAs with MERCOSUR bloc.

In addition, the two sides continue to promote measures aimed at facilitating goods of both sides to access each other's markets.

The two nations need to further boost trade relations in a bid to match the good political relations and potential of the two countries, especially focusing on bilateral and multilateral frameworks.

Along with this, it can be viewed as necessary to diversify the structure of import and export products with the ultimate aim of increasing the total bilateral trade turnover, as well as encouraging and creating conditions for businesses to work together and access each other's markets.

Within the framework of the visit by NA Chairman Hue, Uruguayan leaders consider co-operation with Vietnam as a good opportunity for the development of the South American country. Indeed, they proposed opening the Vietnam Embassy in Uruguay to further contribute to further elevating bilateral co-operative ties to a higher level in the future.

Vietnam improves legal frameworks, builds capacity to cope with climate change

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) on August 11 held a workshop reviewing ten years of implementing the 11th Party Central Committee's Resolution No.24-NQ/TW on proactive responding to climate change.

Participants in the workshop focused on evaluating the achievements, shortcomings, and limitations during the implementation process as well as discussed new perspectives and specific goals, tasks, and solutions on responding to climate change in the coming time.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Le Cong Thanh affirmed that over the past ten years, Party committees and authorities at all levels, social communities, and people have actively implemented the resolution. Institutions and policies to respond to climate change have been improved, and investment in natural disaster prevention and climate change responses was increased.

Tang The Cuong, Director of the MONRE’s Department of Climate Change reported to the workshop that up to now, all specific goals set in the resolution were all achieved, of which the target of reducing greenhouse gas emissions per unit of GDP had exceeded the set target.

The results show the strong determination of the Vietnamese Government in realizing the dual goals of economic development and reduced greenhouse gas emissions, Cuong said.

According to him, the Prime Minister has promulgated a list of sectors and facilities that have to carry out an inventory of greenhouse gases. The country also recorded positive outcomes in reducing and eliminating substances that deplete the ozone layer, complied with international commitments, and build a project on developing the domestic carbon market. Vietnam has also joined the international carbon credit exchange under the clean development mechanism and rolled out the joint credit mechanism with Japan.

Vietnam’s capacity for natural disaster forecast, warning, and monitoring has been enhanced. Its climate change scenarios were updated periodically in 2016 and 2020 and flood maps were built to help localities to implement solutions for socio-economic development and adaptation to climate change more effectively, according to VNA.

A flood warning system. (Photo: VNA)

Losses in human lives and property caused by natural disasters have decreased significantly, with a decrease of 18% in human loss and 34% in material loss in 2018-2022 compared to the previous period 2013-2017.

Most localities have issued plans to implement the Paris agreement on climate change and to respond to climate change. The Government issued Resolution 120/NQ-CP on sustainable and climate-resilient development of the Mekong River delta to transform the region’s growth model for sustainable and prosperous development.

Many important contents in the resolution have also been actively implemented, bringing practical effects such as community-based and climate change-resilient livelihood models, national target programmes and national science and technology programmes to respond to climate change.

Vietnam also strengthened international cooperation in climate change responses.

Recently, Vietnam adopted a political declaration establishing a Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) with partners, which is the driving force for energy transition and the development of renewable energy and other energy sources toward the carbon neutrality goal by 2050.

Top legislator wraps up official visits to Indonesia, Iran

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue arrived at Noi Bai International Airport in Hanoi on Friday, concluding his successful official visits to Indonesia and Iran.

The visits, from August 4-10, were made at the invitation of the Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives and AIPA President Puan Maharani; and Speaker of the Iranian Consultative Assembly Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf.

Chairman Hue and the NA delegation have engaged in about 60 activities during the visits. Hue held talks and met with high-ranking leaders of Indonesia and Iran; and participated in various cultural, economic, and diplomatic activities.

The NA leader attended and delivered a speech at the first plenary session of the 44th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-44) in Jakarta, Indonesia. On the sidelines of the event, he had bilateral meetings with parliamentary leaders from several countries.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (left) arrives at Noi Bai Airport in Hanoi on Friday, concluding his successful official visits to Indonesia and Iran. Photo: VNS

Hue’s visit to Indonesia and his presence at AIPA-44 demonstrated Vietnam's support for Indonesia's role as the AIPA-44 and ASEAN Chair in 2023, contributing to strengthening the political relationship and mutual trust, as well as deepening the traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two Southeast Asian countries.

Besides the signing of a new cooperation agreement between the Vietnamese NA and the People's Representative Council (Lower House) of Indonesia, leaders of the two countries exchanged views on directions to enhance cooperation between the two nations, as well as between their legislative bodies, in both bilateral and multilateral frameworks. They also compared their notes on international and regional issues of mutual concern.

During his official visit to Iran, NA Chairman Hue and Iranian leaders discussed measures to foster cooperation on the occasion of the 50th founding anniversary of the Vietnam-Iran diplomatic ties. The two sides’ legislative bodies signed a new cooperation agreement and discussed ways to further strengthen their partnership in the coming time.

In Indonesia and Iran, NA Chairman Hue attended forums to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and the two nations.

He also received leaders of localities, ministries, enterprises, and friendship associations of Indonesia and Iran, and witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements, reported VNS.

The attendance of the NA Chairman at the AIPA-44 in Indonesia, and the official visit to Indonesia and Iran aimed to implement the foreign policy directions of the 13th National Party Congress, proactively consolidating and expanding the political relations, and promoting effective cooperation between Vietnam and the two countries in all areas and on all channels of the party, national assembly, government, and people-to-people exchanges, contributing to strengthening political confidence with partner countries and traditional friends, demonstrating Vietnam's proactive, positive, and responsible participation in multilateral cooperation mechanisms, including AIPA.

Those visits affirmed the importance that Vietnam attaches to developing and promoting friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with traditional friends in Asia and the Middle East.

Petrol prices surge as diesel rises

The prices of diesel, kerosene, and mazut saw a remarkable increase amid diesel rising by more than VND1,800 to VND22,420 per liter as of 3 p.m. on August 11 following the latest adjustments made by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Ministry of Finance.

According to the changes, the retail price of E5RON92 inched up by VND30 to VND22,820 per liter while that of RON95-III also edged up by VND30 to VND23,990 per liter compared to the current retail price.

Photo: VOV

The price of diesel oil 0.05S also increased by VND1,810 to VND22,420 per liter, while the price of kerosene also rose by VND1,610 to reach VND21,880 per liter. The price mazut oil was also capped at VND17,660 per kilo, representing a rise of VND1,130 per kilo.

In line with the latest price adjustment, the two ministries decided to not extract petrol oil prices from the price stablization fund, cited VOV.

The ministries attributed the adjustment to several factors, such as a sharp drop in US fuel stockpiles, Saudi Arabia and Russia's oil output cuts, and the Russia and Ukraine conflict, all of which combined to push prices on an upward trajectory.

Vietnam proposes solutions to strengthen ASEAN anti-drug cooperation

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen Nguyen Duy Ngoc on August 11 suggested major solutions for the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to raise the efficiency of anti-drug cooperation.

Addressing the eighth ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on Drug Matters (AMMD8) in Vientiane, Laos, Ngoc said at the regional level, ASEAN member countries should maintain and improve the efficiency of their existing cooperation mechanisms like the AMMD, the ASEAN Narcotics Cooperation Centre and the ASEAN Drug Monitoring Network, VNA reported.

Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Public Security Lieut. Gen Nguyen Duy Ngoc speaks at the meeting. (Photo: VNA)

At the same time, they need to roll out solutions to prevent drug precursor losses, dismantle drug production facilities, intensify drug control along key routes, enhance capacity of law enforcement forces, and strengthen and expand the operations of border liaison offices, he added.

Meanwhile, at the national level, the sides should work to raise the quality of information exchange, share experience in drug combat, and conduct joint patrols, the officer continued.

He also suggested ASEAN countries foster cooperation with partner countries, and step up dialogues in improving capabilities for law enforcement forces and equipment supply.

The Vietnamese government will continue its close coordination and share responsibility with other ASEAN member countries in the fight, Ngoc pledged, noting a hope that countries and international organizations will further support Vietnam in this regard, contributing to building a region of prosperity, towards a drug-free ASEAN.

The AMMD8 adopted an ASEAN Joint Statement, which is expected to be presented at the 67th session of the UN Commission on Narcotic Drugs (CND67) in 2024.

The ADMM9 is scheduled to take place in the Philippines in 2025.

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