Vietnam News Today (Nov. 3): EU - One of Vietnam’s Most Important Partners

NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (R) welcomes Chief Financial Officer of Samsung Group Park Hark Kyu.

Vietnam ready to facilitate business activities of Korean firms

The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) supports and is ready to create a favorable legal corridor for investment, production and business activities of the domestic and foreign business communities, including Korean businesses and Samsung Group.

The statement was made by NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue at a reception in Hanoi on October 1 for Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Samsung Group Park Hark Kyu.

The Vietnamese top legislator welcomed Park Hark Kyu 's working visit to Vietnam and showed his elation to meet again the Korean CFO following the official visit to the RoK by the high-ranking NA delegation in February 2021, cited VOV.

Hue reiterated the state visit to Vietnam in June by Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol with a view to implementing the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership that the two countries have established since the end of 2022.

Joining the President's delegation were many major Korean businesses and corporations to promote trade and investment ties between the two countries, Hue went on to say.

The Vietnamese NA leader welcomed the commitment of the Chairman of Samsung Electronics Group to accompany and support the development of Vietnam's supporting industries within the framework of the Korean President's visit to Vietnam.

He also expressed his joy at the very positive production and business results of Samsung Group in Vietnam over the past 9 months of 2023, thereby making considerable contribution to Vietnam's import-export turnover.

The Vietnamese NA is ready to accompany and offer optimal conditions for Samsung Group to conduct effective, successful and sustainable business investment activities in Vietnam, Hue told his guest.

In response, Park Hark Kyu hailed Vietnam’s expected economic growth rate of 5% which is an admirable result amid the current difficult general context.

On this occasion, the Samsung CFO discussed with the NA Chairman about a number of issues of concern to his group.

EU – one of Vietnam’s most important partners: PM

Vietnam always regards the EU as one of the most important partners in its foreign policy, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh affirmed at a reception for visiting European Commission (EC) Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis in Hanoi on November 2.

The EU is Vietnam’s fourth largest trade partner, while Vietnam is its biggest trade partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). The EU is also the sixth largest investor in Vietnam.

Chinh appreciated the EU’s consideration of climate change adaptation one of the three focuses of cooperation with Vietnam for 2021 – 2027, and thanked the EU for its EUR210 million (US$222.55 million) in non-refundable aid to Vietnam in the 2021 - 2024 period.

He suggested the EU accelerate the implementation of its free trade agreement with Vietnam (EVFTA), and create more favorable conditions for Vietnamese goods to enter the market, especially agricultural and aquatic products, striving to bring two-way trade to US$100 billion.

Vietnam is committed to further facilitating the operations of EU enterprises, he said, adding that EU firms should be encouraged to invest in the country in such areas as digital transformation, energy transformation, sustainable development, climate change response, high technology, and logistics infrastructure in which they have strengths, according to VNA.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and European Commission (EC) Executive Vice President Valdis Dombrovskis, who is also the EU's Trade Commissioner. (Photo: VNA)

The PM called on Dombrovskis, who is also the EU's Trade Commissioner, to urge remaining EU member countries to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the EC to soon remove its “yellow card” against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing in Vietnam.

For his part, Dombrovskis highly valued Vietnam’s development and cooperation potential, saying that Vietnam-EU relations are thriving, especially after the signing of the EVFTA.

Vietnam and the EU share the goal of sustainable development, particularly in green economy and circular economy, he said, reiterating the Southeast Asian nation’s commitments to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, and participating in the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

The EU and its member countries view Vietnam as a leading important partner in the region and the world, and wish to promote relations with it across spheres as mentioned by the PM, he emphasized.

Praising Vietnam's contributions as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, the UN Human Rights Council and other international organizations, Dombrovski noted his hope that Vietnam will play a more active role in global affairs, for peace, stability, cooperation and development.

Chinh asked the EU to cooperate and provide consultation for Vietnam in green economy, circular economy and climate change response, and step up financial support for the country within the JETP.

The PM said he hopes that the EU will strengthen cooperation within the framework of ASEAN and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), pledging that Vietnam stands ready to work as a bridge between the EU and other ASEAN countries to seize opportunities and resolve common challenges, especially those regarding environment and climate change, green transition, digital transformation, infrastructure connection, and capacity building for the health system.

The two sides shared ASEAN’s views on ensuring safety, security, and freedom of aviation and navigation in the East Sea, the full and serious implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and pushing ahead with the negotiations and building of an effective and efficient Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), for peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam to welcome two meteor showers this November

Vietnamese astronomy enthusiasts will have the chance to observe two meteor showers which will occur on November 4 and November 18.

On November 4 local astronomy lovers will be able to enjoy the sight of the Taurid meteor shower as it reaches its peak at night.

These showers tend to produce infrequent, slow, and long-lasting meteors associated with comet Encke, a small comet with a nucleus measuring approximately 2.98 miles (4.8 km) in diameter, reported VOV.

Vietnamese astronomy enthusiasts will have the chance to observe two meteor showers this November. (Source: amsmeteors.org)

Viewing conditions for the 2023 Taurid meteor showers will be good as the moon will only be 2% illuminated, according to information posted on the website Space.com.

Furthermore, local astronomy lovers will have the opportunity to watch the Leonid meteor shower which is active between November 3 and December 2, with this year the phenomenon set to peak on November 17 and November 18.

The Leonids are widely considered to be some of the fastest meteors, zipping through the sky at 44 miles, equal to 71 kilometers, per second, according to NASA. This can also result in impressive fireballs producing long, bright, and colorful meteor streaks.

The moon will be 23% illuminated on the date of Leonid's peak meaning that it should not interfere with viewing opportunities too much, the website Space.com wrote.

In order to best see the Leonids, enthusiasts are encouraged to go to the darkest possible location, lean back, and relax. Observers don’t need any equipment such as telescopes or binoculars as the secret to a good meteor viewing experience is to take in as much of the sky as possible.

In addition, viewers should be sure to allow roughly 30 minutes for observers’ eyes to adjust to the dark, the website Space.com suggested.

President receives Hungarian Prosecutor General

President Vo Van Thuong on November 2 received a delegation from the Prosecution Service of Hungary led by Prosecutor General Péter Polt who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Welcoming the guests, President Thuong said that their visit was taking place at a very meaningful time when Vietnam and Hungary are celebrating the 5th founding anniversary of comprehensive partnership.

The President believed the visit will help deepen the cooperative relationship between the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam and the Prosecution Service of Hungary and nurture the friendship and traditional relationship between the two nations' people, cited VNA.

President Vo Van Thuong (R) on November 2 receives Hungarian Prosecutor General Péter Polt in Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

For his part, Polt expressed his pleasure to visit Vietnam and work with the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam. He informed the host about the good results of cooperation between the two countries' procuracy agencies.

He said that Hungarian President Katalin Novak wants to visit Vietnam soon and that the Government and people of Hungary are also looking forward to welcoming President Thuong to visit Hungary soon.

Polt emphasized that the two countries’ procuracy agencies still have a lot of potential for cooperation and will deploy measures to further improve the effectiveness of their cooperation.

Noting that Hungary is promoting its "Eastern opening" policy in politics, economy, and law, the Hungarian official stated that the Prosecution Service of Hungary will continue to promote cooperation with the Supreme People's Procuracy of Vietnam, particularly in protecting the business investment environment, supporting socio-economic development in each country as crimes such as money laundering, cyber security and corruption are getting more and more complicated. In addition, the two agencies will actively coordinate internationally and multilaterally.

President Thuong said that Vietnam appreciates Hungary's prioritization of Vietnam in its "Eastern opening" policy. He added that in the two countries’ cooperation, the cooperative relationship between the two procuracy agencies has produced positive results.

He urged relevant agencies of Vietnam and Hungary to further promote cooperation, especially in economy, trade, and investment because the two countries still have a lot of potential and room for it.

The President said that Vietnam looks forward to soon welcoming Hungarian President Katalin Novak to visit Vietnam. The President said he is ready to visit Hungary at an appropriate time to promote comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam, Mongolia pledge to strengthen legislative cooperation

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh pledged to promote cooperation between the two legislative bodies and consolidate political trust between the two countries, looking towards celebrating the 70th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations.

During the talks on Thursday in Hanoi with the visiting Mongolian President, Hue affirmed that the Vietnamese NA is always in support of strengthening Vietnam-Mongolia relations, as well as makes every effort to consolidate the partnership on the basis of the established foundation.

The two leaders were pleased to see that thanks to the attention of the two countries’ leaders, the Vietnam-Mongolia relations have achieved a number of important results, especially in politics, defense, security and economics.

President Khurelsukh affirmed Mongolia's policy for peace and expanding cooperation with the international community. Besides cooperation with neighboring countries, Mongolia also has the foreign policy of cooperating with a third neighbor and within the Asia-Pacific region.

He expressed his hope to cooperate more closely with Vietnam – an extremely important partner in the policy of cooperation with Mongolia's third neighbor policy.

The Vietnamese NA Chairman said the NA always values and wishes to develop friendly and cooperative relations with Mongolia on all channels of Party, NA, Government and people-to-people exchanges.

Hue said in the overall relationship between the two countries, the parliament cooperation plays an important role and achieves positive results. The two countries' parliaments signed a cooperation agreement for the 2018-22 period.

Leaders of the two parliaments and the Vietnam - Mongolia Parliamentary Friendship Group have maintained activities to exchange delegations, share experiences and provide consultations and support each other at regional and international multilateral forums.

The Mongolian leader affirmed his readiness to promote cooperation between the two countries' legislative bodies, thereby consolidating and further strengthening political trust between the two countries, VNS reported.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue welcomes Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh on Thursday. Photo: VNS

Chairman Hue asked Mongolia to continue sharing and supporting the common stance of Vietnam and ASEAN on ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea (internationally known as South China Sea).

He hoped that the two countries will continue to support each other at regional and international cooperation forums, mechanisms and organizations, especially the United Nations, the non-aligned movement, the Asia-Europe Cooperation Forum.

Mongolian President Ukhnaagiin Khurelsukh said Mongolia values international cooperation in environmental protection, response to climate change, human rights, and gender equality. Mongolia successfully organized the international conference of female officers participating in United Nations peacekeeping forces, the first female foreign ministers Conference, and is preparing to host the Women's Leadership Forum in 2024 to promote the role and participation of women in national development, he said.

He hoped that Vietnam will send a delegation to participate and contribute ideas. Mongolia is also expected to host COP17 on desertification in 2026.

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