The US and Vietnamese officials at the ground breaking ceremony of a new US Embassy campus in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam US’s important partner in APEC: Official

Vietnam is an important partner of the US in the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), contributing to all the different efforts and working processes throughout the APEC year, said Matt Murray, US Senior Official for APEC.

Speaking with the Vietnam News Agency in Washington in the context that the two countries are celebrating the 10th anniversary of their comprehensive partnership (July 25, 2013- 2023), the official of the State Department's Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs said that Vietnam is an important partner in handling regional economic issues.

He said Vietnam is a very important partner of the US in ASEAN. The country is a member of APEC and also one of the parties participating in the negotiations of the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework for Prosperity (IPEF).

The Vietnam - US cooperation relationship has recorded a lot of progress in the past 10 years and the US Government looks forward to boosting cooperation with Vietnam in the next decade, he said.

Currently, the US is paying special attention to Vietnam's role and position in maintaining regional and global supply chains, cited VNA.

He said he is impressed with Vietnam's commitment to sustainable development and economic growth.

When Thailand launched the Bangkok Initiative targeting a circular economy at APEC last year, Vietnam supported that effort. The US has had many discussions with its Vietnamese partners about how the two sides can work together to improve sustainable economic growth in the region.

Another important area is inclusive economic development which ensures all people and all communities benefit from economic growth. Vietnam has been at the forefront in this area, so the US welcomes Vietnam's comments on these issues in APEC.

According to Murray, the US is pleased to serve as the APEC host this year. It is a great opportunity for member economies to discuss how to cope with economic "headwinds" as a region.

Under the theme of “Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All”, APEC 2023 includes not only senior officials’ meetings but also 10 ministerial meetings and then APEC CEO Summit in San Francisco in November.

The US appreciates the participation of Vietnamese officials at all APEC meetings, he said, adding that those will be a great opportunity to promote regional economic cooperation as well as bilateral cooperation with Vietnam.

Vietnam and China enhance cooperation efficiency

Vietnam and China will work closely together to increase the efficiency of their cooperation mechanisms, including the meeting of the Steering Committee for bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and China.

The view was shared by Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chinese Politburo member and chairman of the General Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party Wang Yi, during their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 13 on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting.

Both sides affirmed that they would continue to attach importance to each other’s roles, as well as their comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership.

They vowed to effectively realise the joint statement released following Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China in October 2022, as well as the specific outcomes during the China visit in June 2023 by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

Son suggested that China continue to expand the import of goods and accelerate the opening of its market for Vietnamese products, especially agricultural and aquatic products and fruits.

He also suggested that China maintain smooth customs at join border gates, raise the quota of Vietnamese goods in transit by railway from China to a third country, and strengthen traffic connections along with accelerating the implementation of a number of joint cooperation projects, according to VOV.

Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Chinese Politburo member and chairman of the General Office of the Central Foreign Affairs Commission of the Chinese Communist Party Wang Yi, during their meeting in Jakarta, Indonesia, on July 13 on the sidelines of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting - AMM 56. (Photo: baoquocte.vn).

He stressed the need for both countries to well manage the land border, speed up the opening of and upgrade of the agreed border gate pairs, and soon put the Ban Gioc - Detian waterfalls tourist area into operation.

Welcoming Son’s proposals, Wang proposed that the two sides strengthen high-quality connection between the ‘Belt and Road’ Initiative and the ‘Two Corridors, One Belt’ Framework, and affirmed that China will create favourable conditions for Vietnam to make more effective use of China’s assistance capital.

The two sides agreed to properly control and handle disagreements, maintain peace and stability at sea, fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and together with other ASEAN countries to soon achieve a substantive, effective Code of Conduct in accordance with international law. They also agreed to promote the role of bilateral mechanisms regarding border, territorial and maritime issues.

Both sides also exchanged a number of regional and international issues of mutual concern. They pledged to closely coordinate at regional and international forums and cooperation mechanisms, including those led by ASEAN.

Vietnam attends ASEAN Plus One Foreign Ministers’ Meetings

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on July 13 attended meetings between foreign ministers of ASEAN member states and their partners - New Zealand, India, Russia, Australia and China - within the framework of the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-56) in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Participating ministers welcomed the implementation progress of action plans, and appreciated cooperation results in all fields which have contributed to inclusive recovery and sustainable development.The partners affirmed that they attach great importance to relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), respect and support the bloc’s central role, assist it in building the ASEAN Community, and jointly promote dialogue, cooperation and response to common challenges, thus contributing more effectively to peace, security, stability, and sustainable development.

At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with New Zealand, ministers welcomed the conclusion of negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN-Australia-New Zealand Free Trade Agreement to deepen economic and trade cooperation. ASEAN appreciated New Zealand's support in efforts to respond to climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture and improve the capacity of the ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance. The conference adopted the ASEAN - New Zealand Joint Statement on Cooperation on the ASEAN Outlook for the Indo-Pacific.

At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with India, the two sides approved the Appendix to the Action Plan to implement the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was established at the end of 2022. They emphasised the priority to be given to enhance cooperation in maritime affairs, connectivity, digital economy, cyber security, health, the environment, and transnational crime prevention. ASEAN suggested India continue to pay attention to narrowing the development gap, and sub-regional development cooperation, reported VNA.

An overview of the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with New Zealand (Photo: baoquocte.vn)

The ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Russia unanimously adopted a Joint Statement commemorating the fifth anniversary of the ASEAN - Russia Strategic Partnership, committing to promote and deepen practical cooperation, especially in the fields that Russia has strengths and ASEAN has needs. Participating countries welcomed the progress of bilateral cooperation, especially in coordination to respond to non-traditional security challenges, and proposed implementing initiatives within the framework of the "Year of Scientific and Technical Cooperation" in 2022.

Meanwhile, at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with Australia, ministers appreciated the positive progress in implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, especially the Aus4ASEAN Futures Initiative with a funding of 204 million AUD (138.9 million USD). ASEAN appreciated Australia's commitments to promote two-way trade and investment, and looked forward to Australia's continued expansion of market access and business connectivity. The two sides also agreed to strengthen cooperation towards sustainable development, supported the ASEAN-Australia High-Level Dialogue on Climate Change and Energy Transition jointly chaired by Laos, Australia and Vietnam by the end of this year in Vietnam.

At the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference with China, countries welcomed progress in negotiations to upgrade the ASEAN - China Free Trade Agreement, which reflects their commitments to building an inclusive, comprehensive, modern and rules-based economic environment. Delegates expressed their satisfaction with the progress in negotiations on the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). The two sides agreed to take 2024 as the year for ASEAN - China people-to-people exchanges to promote friendship, understanding and cultural connectivity between the people of the countries.

Speaking at the conferences, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son appreciated the extensive progress in cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, suggesting the partners support the bloc's central role, maintain assistance for the ASEAN Community building, and jointly contribute to peace, security and development in the region. He proposed orientations to enhance cooperation between ASEAN and its partners, especially in the implementation of free trade agreements, investment, tourism, human resources development, infrastructure connectivity, and sub-regional cooperation, as well as expanding cooperation priorities in climate change response, energy security, food security and green growth.

Discussing the international and regional situation at the events, ASEAN countries and partners emphasised the importance of maintaining and ensuring peace, security and stability in the region, and creating favourable conditions for inclusive growth and sustainable development efforts.

The Vietnamese minister proposed the partners support ASEAN's common stance and efforts on the East Sea and other international and regional issues; and called on them to join hands with the association to increase dialogue, build trust, and solve disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law.

He stressed the importance of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and working towards building a practical and effective COC in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for the sake of peace and cooperation in the East Sea.

Italian ambassador honoured with friendship insignia

The insignia For Peace and Friendship among Nations has been bestowed upon Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro in recognition of his contributions to strengthening cooperative relations between the two countries.

Ambassador Nguyen Phuong Nga, president of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), awarded the honour to the Italian diplomat at a ceremony in Hanoi on July 13.

In her remarks, Nga highlighted major developments in Vietnam – Italy relations and said during his working term, Alessandro has made contributions to promoting bilateral cooperation in all fields, from politics, diplomacy, and security and defense to economy, trade, investment, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchanges.

Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Antonio Alessandro. (Photo: VNA)

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ambassador Antonio Alessandro actively lobbied the Italian Government to donate nearly 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine to Vietnam through COVAX, she said.

She also noted that during his working term the economic cooperation was a major pillar in bilateral relations despite the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, with two-way trade turnover last year hitting a record high of US$6.2 billion, up 11% year on year.

The Italian government also placed Vietnam on the list of 20 priority countries for trade and investment promotion by 2030, cited VOV.

The Embassy of Italy and the Italian Cultural Center (Casa Italia) organized many activities such as exhibitions, concerts, and golf tournaments, contributing to enhancing mutual understanding, cultural and tourism cooperation.

Ambassador Alessandro thanked the VUFO president for the honour and vowed to work hard in any future position to help foster cooperation between Italy and Vietnam.

Vietnamese paintings on traditional materials delight French public

An exhibition entitled "Vietnamese Painting on Traditional Materials" officially opened at the Vietnam Cultural Centre (France) on July 12, featuring unique Vietnamese traditional materials such as lacquer, “do” paper, and silk.

The event was held as part of the activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of Vietnam – France diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership, NDO reported.

"Do" paper, a traditional material of Vietnamese people, is promoted to French people. (Photo: Khai Hoan)

The paintings were created on purely Vietnamese materials by six Vietnamese artists, Nguyen Van Ho, Do Van Ly, Nguyen Hoang Huy, Nguyen Duy Dat, Tran Dinh Binh, and Pham Quang Trung. They vividly reflect the daily life of the Vietnamese people and the romantic and distinctive landscapes of France.

"The material I brought to this art exhibition is lacquer, inspired by Buddhist philosophy, introducing the unique painting techniques of Vietnam as well as the virtues of Buddhist teachings throughout the generations”, according to painter Nguyen Van Ho.

The exhibition also presents Vietnamese traditional handmade painting techniques dating back many centuries, since French painter Jean Dunand took Vietnamese artisans to France to learn about the lacquer painting technique in decorative arts.

The works require skillful techniques and the ingenuity of the Vietnamese people and also feature industriousness and patience in their daily production and art.

The exhibition will run until July 19.

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