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(Photo: Office Holidays)

Congratulations extended to Argentina on 211th anniversary of its May Revolution

President Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 25 sent a congratulatory message President of Argentina Alberto Angelv Fernandez on the country’s 211th anniversary of the May Revolution (1810-2021).

On the same day, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son extended his congratulations to Argentine Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Trade and Worship Felipe Carlos Sola, NDO reported.

Vietnam desires Germany to facilitate its access to COVID-19 vaccines

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has suggested Germany facilitate Vietnam’s access to COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine production technology, as the latter is expanding its vaccination programme to achieve the dual goal of combating the pandemic and revitalizing the national economy.

During a phone conversation with his German counterpart Heiko Maas on May 25, Son affirmed his nation’s recognition of importance to further promoting and deepening the strategic partnership with Germany.

The two diplomats showed their elation at the strong, comprehensive, and effective development of bilateral ties since the establishment of a strategic partnership a decade ago.

They agreed upon measures to boost economic-trade-investment, science-technology, renewable energy, vocational training, and medical cooperation.

The pair vowed to soon build the Vietnam - Germany strategic action plan for the 2022-2023 period, with a particular focus on the exchange of high-level visits, boosting dialogue mechanisms and collaboration.

Son congratulated Germany on its major achievements in vaccine roll-out and pandemic control. He thanked the country and the EU for providing vaccines to Vietnam via the COVAX facility.

He glowingly spoke of Germany’s active and constructive role in the region and thanked it for actively supporting Vietnam - EU cooperation, especially in accelerating the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also proposed the German Government and legislature speed up the adoption of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), according to VOV.

Australia expects for comprehensive strategic partnership with Vietnam

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison showed his wish to upgrade the Vietnam-Australia strategic partnership to a comprehensive strategic partnership during an online talk with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Minh Chinh on May 25, according to VOV.

Australian PM Morrisom said his nation places importance on pushing up the bilateral relationship, and hailed the tremendous achievements Vietnam has recorded in COVID-19 fight, as well as socio-economic development and foreign affairs over the past years.

PM Chinh, in turn, affirmed his willingness to closely coordinate with Morrison in developing the strategic partnership in an effective, intensive and pragmatic manner.

He suggested Australia continue its technical support to Vietnam and further facilitate Vietnamese agricultural and aquatic products' access to the Australian market.

Chinh called on Australia to incentivize its businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, and funnel its official development assistance (ODA) into infrastructure projects, agricultural development, poverty reduction, climate change response and high-quality personnel training in the Southeast Asian nation.

The PM urged Australia to help Vietnam access the AstraZeneca vaccine produced in the country as soon as possible.

Both sides agreed to set higher targets in investment and trade links, towards sustainable recovery after the pandemic, soon complete and sign the Vietnam-Australia Enhanced Economic Engagement Strategy, forge collaboration in science and technology, and effectively implement the Vietnam-Australia Innovation Partnership for 2022-2025.

The two countries will also bolster their cooperation at regional and international mechanisms and forums, VOV reported.

Viet Nam reports new single-day record in COVID-19 cases

The Ministry of Health has just confirmed 287 new COVID-19 cases, raising the total number of patients on Tuesday to 444, a new single-day record.

The latest cases include three Vietnamese repatriated from Malaysia on May 6.

All the others are domestic cases recorded in Bac Giang (375), Bac Ninh (28), Ha Noi (23), Lang Son (seven), Ha Nam (five), Da Nang (two) and Ha Noi-based Cancer Hospital (one), Dien Bien (one), Thai Binh (one), and Ho Chi Minh City (one).

The number of daily new COVID-19 cases confirmed from May 1 to 8:00 pm on May 25 (Chart: VOV)

With these new cases, the national patient tally reached 5,851, including 2,792 community infections in 30 cities and provinces since April 27.

Among the currently-hit localities, Bac Giang and Bac Ninh are the biggest COVID-19 hotspots 1,339 and 533 cases respectively, according to VGP.

Over 3,600 tonnes of fresh lychees shipped to China via Lao Cai’s int’l border gate

More than 3,600 tonnes of fresh lychees from the northern provinces of Hai Duong, Bac Giang and Vinh Phuc were exported to China via Lao Cai province’s Kim Thanh II international border gate from May 8 to 24.

According to the customs department of the northern province of Lao Cai, between 200 and 250 tonnes of the fruit worth close to US$2.1 million were shipped to China on a daily basis during the period.

Several measures, including COVID-19 prevention work, have been implemented to ensure quick and safe customs clearance for the goods. Drivers of exported batches ought to make health declarations, have their temperatures checked, and meet other pandemic prevention requirements at the border gate.

(Photo: VOV)

Vi Hai Yen from the Quang Minh import-export company in Lao Cai said complicated COVID-19 developments have caused many difficulties for exports; however, customs units at the border gate have provided the best possible conditions for businesses involved.

She said they have gone to work early to get things done sooner and arranged spaces to disinfect the fruit, as its places of origin have been hit by the pandemic.

The turnover of goods imported and exported via Lao Cai’s border gates exceeded US$579 million as of May 15. Of the total figure, close to US$400 million was from the export of products like dragon fruit, mango, jackfruit and watermelon, among others, as reported by VOV.

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