Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister. Photo: VGP

PM hails former UK Prime Minister’s contributions to bilateral ties with Vietnam

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh applauded the contributions made by Tony Blair, former UK Prime Minister, to the UK’s bilateral relations with Vietnam during his working tenure as UK PM from 1997 to 2007 and at present at a reception held on July 26 in Hanoi.

During the reception, the Government leader voiced his hope that the former UK PM, who is also executive chairman of the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI), will maintain contributions in a bid to help deepen both nations’ ties in multiple fields in the context that they are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations.

PM Chinh congratulated the UK on joining the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), while affirming Vietnamese support and readiness to actively co-ordinate with the nation to accelerate the effective and efficient implementation of the trade deal.

Showing his expectation on Vietnamese development potential, the British guest stated that his country always places importance on its strategic partnership with Vietnam and believes that bilateral ties will continue to grow and flourish in the time ahead.

The two sides also showed their elation at great strides being made in co-operation between the TBI and some Vietnamese agencies after their meeting in March, cited VOV.

During the course of Blair’s visit, the institute is destined to sign a co-operation agreement with the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment on attracting high-quality foreign investment and developing a financial centre in Vietnam.

The TBI has initially supported Vietnamese ministries and sectors to connect with potential foreign enterprises and investment funds that are keen to invest in Vietnam, as well as considering opening a representative office in the nation.

At the meeting, both sides also exchanged views on regional and international issues of shared concern, especially trends of Industry 4.0, artificial intelligence, the rise of protectionism, and strategic competition.

The Vietnamese cabinet leader underlined the necessity of ramping up collaboration as a means of grasping and capitalising on opportunities and overcome difficulties and challenges.

He also suggested the TBI enhance the linkages of foreign partners and investors in Vietnam, including investment funds and corporations from Europe and the Middle East, as well as assisting the country in attracting resources for green growth, emission reduction, climate change response, and boosting digital transformation.

Blair agreed with the Vietnamese Government chief’s view on the need to reinforce international solidarity and uphold multilateralism when dealing with global and universal issues, especially in responding to climate change and disease-related challenges.

He went on to affirm that his institute will always accompany and support the Vietnamese side and continue to work with its relevant agencies to carry out specific co-operation activities, programmes, and projects in the future.

Lao official calls Vietnam an active, responsible member of ASEAN

Since joining the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 28 years ago, Vietnam has shown itself as an active, proactive, and responsible member of the bloc, said Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Thongphane Savanphet.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency, he said Vietnam’s entry into ASEAN and its activities within the bloc’s cooperation framework over the past 28 years have reflected the success of the country’s Doi moi (Renewal) and its foreign policy in reinforcing and developing cooperation with all countries in the world, including Southeast Asia. They have also demonstrated Vietnam’s growing stature in the regional and international arenas.

Vietnam’s engagement in ASEAN activities has helped not only attract external resources to be combined with the internal strength to serve national development and safeguarding, but also substantially contribute to the protection and promotion of peace, stability, cooperation, and development of the bloc, he went on.

The Lao official elaborated that over the past 28 years, Vietnam has made important contributions to common work of ASEAN and obtained outstanding achievements in many aspects, including the building of the ASEAN Charter, the ASEAN Vision 2020, the ASEAN Community Vision 2025, the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025, and the ASEAN Regional Forum Hanoi Plan of Action; post-pandemic economic recovery; the ASEAN Strategic Framework for Public Health Emergencies; the Initiative for ASEAN Integration; and its chairmanship of ASEAN in 1998, 2010, and 2020.

As ASEAN Chair thrice, Vietnam proposed many initiatives and documents which became important stepping stones for intra-bloc cooperation, the building of the ASEAN Community, and the bloc’s cooperation with external partners, according to VNA.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs of Laos Thongphane Savanphet in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (Photo: VNA)

Under the chairmanship of Vietnam in 2020, when the regional and the world were hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic, ASEAN held online meetings during which its members built cooperation plans and other solutions to promote the three pillars of the ASEAN Community; cooperation with external partners to cope with the pandemic and its adverse impacts; and continue building a stronger Community and enhancing the bloc’s solidarity and centrality in an evolving regional architecture, thereby contributing to the realisation of the grouping’s common targets and regional and global peace, stability, and sustainable development, according to the Lao official.

He perceived that Vietnam’s membership of ASEAN since July 28, 1995, is also a contributor to the country’s socio-economic development, helping the economy boost foreign investment and trade, create jobs, and record continuous growth.

Besides, the ASEAN membership of Vietnam also provided an impetus for Laos to join the bloc two years later, the Deputy Foreign Minister said, noting that after engaging in ASEAN, on the basis of their great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, the two countries have continued fostering traditional cooperation and mutual assistance.

He highlighted the countries’ traditional coordination and exchange of opinions within the ASEAN framework, and that Vietnam has supported Laos’s chairmanship of the grouping in two previous terms as well as preparations for the third time his country will serve in this role in 2024.

The official stressed the close cooperation and mutual assistance between Vietnam and Laos in ASEAN have significantly contributed to their great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

He voiced his belief that they will keep strengthening these special ties in a more substantive and effective manner for the sake of the two peoples and for regional and global peace and development.

Vietnamese President’s Vatican visit opens up prospects for stronger bilateral ties

President Vo Van Thuong’s visit to the Vatican on July 27 will contribute to opening up new prospects ahead to boost bilateral relations moving forward, according to Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.

This marks the first high-level contact between the two sides over the past seven years, as well as being a very important event for them to discuss measures aimed at promote bilateral relations, as well as Catholic activities in the nation.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang.

Deputy Minister Hang said that joint relations has seen positive progress over recent times. The two sides have maintained high-level contacts, as well as effectively implementing the Joint Working Group mechanism. Since 2011, the permanent representative of the Holy See has been active within Vietnam itself.

The Vietnamese State pursues an unwavering policy of respecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion, thereby creating favourable conditions for religious activities in general and for Catholic activities in particular, reported VOV.

On the Vatican side, Pope Benedict XVI issued instructions and messages directing Vietnamese Catholic dignitaries and followers to accompany the nation, become good citizens, and contribute to the country.

Dutch companies seek partners at Vietnam International Sourcing 2023

A delegation of Dutch entrepreneurs is expected to come to Vietnam to seek partners and attend Vietnam International Sourcing 2023 which is slated to take place in Ho Chi Minh City from September 13 to 15, according to the Vietnamese Trade Office in the Netherlands.

It is expected that the delegation will include representatives of corporations, distributors, retailers, and trading companies based in the Netherlands with branches spreading throughout the European region.

According to the office, the imports of these enterprises are Asian food products, ceramics, kitchen tools, and dining tables.

Joining the delegation will be businesses from the Dutch seafood association, importers and distributors of outdoor furniture as well as logistics enterprises.

The delegation includes a business that operates in e-commerce, trading processed and non-food agricultural products from Vietnam.

Notably, the e-commerce platform operated by the enterprise has so far had more than 20 products from Vietnam that have met EU standards, cited VNA.

Representatives from businesses join trade promotion activities organised by Vietnamese Trade Office in the Netherlands. (Photo: MoIT)

A representative of the Europe-America Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade said that there will be a series of international business delegations to attend the Vietnam International Sourcing 2023 as more than 60 Vietnamese trade offices in countries join in promoting the event.

Especially, through conferences, seminars, trade connection activities, and Vietnam International Sourcing Expo 2023, the Dutch business delegation hopes to find more reputable partners from Vietnam.

The Vietnam International Sourcing 2023 is a series of events aiming to help domestic enterprises’ efforts to further engage in global production and supply chains, adapt to the growing trend of international economic integration, and boost connectivity with foreign distribution channels and importers.

This year, the event expects to welcome 8,000 visitors and 150 delegations from 30 countries and territories. It has received the greatest-ever interest from world-leading companies including Aeon, Uniqlo (Japan), Walmart, Amazon, Boeing, AES (US), Carrefour, Decathlon (France), Central Group (Thailand), and Coppel (Mexico).

Heatwave in Northern region to end on July 28

The hot weather is forecast to hit the North and North Central regions until July 28 and then cool down, according to the National Centre for Meteorological and Hydrological Forecasting.

Today July 26, the North and North Central regions continue to suffer heat, with the highest temperatures of 35-37C, and over 37C in some places. The humidity is relatively low at about 55-60%%.

Today July 26, the North and North Central regions continue to suffer heat (Illustrative image)

On July 27, hot weather is forecast to continue to rage in the North, North Central and Central regions, with the same temperatures as July 26.

The intense heat in the North and North Central regions is expected to end from July 28, while the heat in the Central region tends to ease after July 28, NDO reported.

Previously, due to the influence of typhoon Doksuri, the waters from Khanh Hoa province to Ca Mau province saw strong winds of level 6, with shock at level 8, in addition to rough seas and high waves of 2-4m on July 25.

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