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Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man (R) receives Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki in Hanoi on October 9.

Vietnam desires to realize new partnership framework with Japan

Vietnam considers Japan a key and long-term partner, and wishes to work together with Japan to effectively and practically implement the newly upgraded Comprehensive Strategic Partnership framework, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man told Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki at a reception in Hanoi on October 9.

Man said 2023 was a significant year in Vietnam – Japan relations as both countries celebrated 50 years of diplomatic ties and upgraded their relationship to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

There is still much room and potential for Vietnam and Japan to explore in the coming time, especially in areas where Japan has strengths, such as digital transformation, green transformation, semiconductors, artificial intelligence, health care, culture, education, high-tech agriculture, and national defense and security, he said.

The legislator praised Japan for being the largest ODA donor to Vietnam and for channeling large amounts of investment into development projects in the country, cited VOV.

According to him, the two countries have frequently exchanged delegations at various levels, including friendship groups and young parliamentarians. Both sides support each other at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums, contributing positively to maintaining peace, security, and stability in the region and the world, such as in the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), while also promoting Mekong-Japan cooperation.

He expressed his confidence that the ambassador, in his new term in Vietnam, will further enhance cooperation between the two countries and their legislative bodies.

On this occasion, Man respectfully conveyed his congratulations to Ishiba Shigeru on his election as Prime Minister of Japan, and believed that under Prime Minister Ishiba’s leadership, Japan will continue to prosper in the coming period. He also thanked Japan for providing its timely support to the people in Vietnam’s northern provinces affected severely by Typhoon Yagi.

Naoki for his part revealed that the Japanese government has decided to provide more relief aid, including water purifiers and other necessities to seven Yagi-hit provinces of Yen Bai, Cao Bang, Ha Giang, Lang Son, Bac Giang, Tuyen Quang, and Dien Bien, to help the residents quickly stabilize their lives.

Japan will continue to explore ways to work with Vietnam to address the aftermath of the typhoon and the impacts of climate change, he told his host.

The diplomat also noted that Japanese investment has increased recently, making Japan the second-largest investor in Vietnam, and the two sides are now striving to double their two-way trade turnover to US$$100 billion over the next ten years.

Appreciating the role of the National Assembly in developing a sustainable economy in Vietnam, Naoki expressed Japan’s desire to continue strengthening cooperation and exchanges between the two countries’ parliaments. He emphasized the importance of enhancing high-level delegation exchanges, fostering interactions among parliamentarians, especially young and female lawmakers, and promoting friendship groups between the two parliaments.

He expected that many bills to be approved at the Vietnamese National Assembly’s year-end session would help promote cooperative relations between the two countries and attract Japanese investment in Vietnam, particularly in high-quality projects.

He also stated that Japan would continue to strive to create a better environment for Vietnamese people living and working in Japan, as well as to introduce policies to attract young workers to come and work in Japan.

Vietnam, Netherlands hold seminar on sustainable development

Vietnam and the Netherlands, together with the Sustainable Trade Initiative (IDH), co-organized a seminar in Geneva, Switzerland on October 8 to discuss Vietnam’s trade integration, development, and environmental management.

The event was held on the occasion of the World Trade Organzation (WTO)’s Trade and Environment Week.

In his opening remarks, Ambassador Mai Phan Dung, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to the United Nations (UN), WTO, and other international organizations in Geneva, said that the two countries have established strategic agreements to ensure food security, as climate change response and the development of sustainable food systems form the backbone of their partnership.

Dung stated that Vietnam is committed to restructuring its agricultural sector and embracing green transition to adapt to new trends in the areas of free trade, climate change response, and smart agriculture, while pushing for energy transition and the building of a low-carbon economy.

Green and sustainable development is one of the important tasks set in Vietnam's socio-economic development strategy for 2021-2030. (Photo: VNA)

Dutch Ambassador to the WTO Audrey Goosen commended collaborative programs between the two countries and affirmed the Netherlands' readiness to support Vietnam across various fields, including sustainable agriculture, according to VNA.

She expressed her delight at positive outcomes reported in Vietnam’s food production and noted the growing awareness among Vietnamese people of sustainable production and development.

The Dutch diplomat said the two nations can continue to work together to help Vietnamese products meet higher standards and gain access to demanding markets.

Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos leaders call for enhanced economic and trade cooperation

During ASEAN meetings, the Prime Ministers of the three countries emphasize the importance of strategic breakthroughs in their economic partnerships.

On October 9, during the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits in Laos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh of Vietnam, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos, and Prime Minister Samdech Thipadei Hun Manet of Cambodia met over breakfast to exchange ideas.

During the meeting, the three leaders underscored the longstanding tradition of solidarity and mutual assistance between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, calling it a precious asset that serves as the foundation for building trust and cooperation. This tradition, they said, is crucial in fostering unity and connection among the three nations.

The Prime Ministers agreed that many trilateral cooperation mechanisms have been established and are functioning effectively, contributing to the strengthening of ties between the countries. Defense and security cooperation remains a pivotal pillar of the trilateral relationship, and economic, trade, and investment partnerships are advancing strongly.

In this spirit, the leaders committed to continuing their close collaboration in ensuring national security and fostering development in their respective countries. They also agreed to maintain regular bilateral and trilateral high-level contacts and exchanges across various sectors, including promoting engagement between young leaders and youth from all three nations.

The three Prime Ministers concurred that economic and trade cooperation must see strategic breakthroughs to align with the scope of their political relations and the potential strengths of each nation, VNN reported.

The leaders agreed to work together to ensure security and safety in the border areas, especially the tri-border region, and to promote border-area development. They stressed the importance of optimizing the land border gate systems between the three countries and enhancing infrastructure, transportation, and economic connectivity.

The Prime Ministers of Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos agree that economic and trade cooperation between the three nations needs strategic breakthroughs. Photo: Duong Giang

The three countries reaffirmed the principle of not allowing hostile forces to use one country’s territory to harm another’s security. They also agreed to continue organizing the annual meeting of the three countries’ Defense Ministers and the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam Ministerial Conference on Crime Prevention.

The Prime Ministers expressed their determination to further develop bilateral and trilateral cooperation mechanisms in a more effective and pragmatic manner, benefiting the people and contributing to the ASEAN community. They pledged to continue supporting peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region.

On this occasion, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh expressed his gratitude to the governments of Laos and Cambodia for their continued support of the Vietnamese communities in their countries. He hoped they would further facilitate these communities' stable lives and integration into the local societies, enabling them to contribute to the development of Laos, Cambodia, and the relationship between the three countries.

The leaders also affirmed their commitment to supporting one another at international forums, particularly within ASEAN and the United Nations. They voiced their support for Cambodia's successful hosting of the 20th Francophonie Summit in 2026.

Vietnam emphasizes the importance of adhering to the rule of law at ASEAN Summit

ASEAN should unite and amplify a common voice in seeking peaceful solutions and calling for an end to wars and conflicts based on respect for international law, said Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, at the 45th ASEAN Summit (retreat session) in Vientiane, Laos, on October 9.

He said though peace is a major trend, conflicts and wars continue to occur, impacting all countries worldwide, disrupting supply chains and production lines, leading to increased costs for raw materials, energy, and transportation.

Sharing views on the issue of the East Sea known internationally as the South China Sea, the Prime Minister emphasized that disputes over maritime sovereignty in this region must be resolved through peaceful means based on international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

He called on all parties to respect the interests and sovereign rights of the relevant countries, while stressing the importance of ensuring security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea, a crucial transport route that accounts for 60% of global trade flow and affects all countries, especially those in the region.

He urged ASEAN member states to unite, strengthen their central role, and maintain a common stance on the East Sea issue, VOV reported.

ASEAN leaders attend the 45th ASEAN Summit (Retreat session) in Vientiane, Laos, on October 9.

With regard to the situation in Myanmar, the Prime Minister acknowledged the role of Laos as ASEAN Chair in 2024 and the previous rotating Chairs in seeking solutions based on the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus on Myanmar, though he noted that the effectiveness of implementation has been limited so far.

This reality requires ASEAN to adopt a new approach, he said, agreeing with solutions proposed by member states that the resolution for Myanmar must be determined by the people of Myanmar. He urged all parties involved in Myanmar to engage in dialogue and negotiation to end the conflict, ensuring that it does not adversely affect the population or lead to security repercussions in the region, including transnational crime and online fraud.

ASEAN should play a bridging role in facilitating dialogue and negotiation among the relevant parties, he suggested, adding strengthening solidarity and enhancing its central role are the core values that help the grouping overcome difficulties and challenges, and position it as a focal point for peace and cooperation.

Among other things, the Vietnamese Prime Minister also emphasized that ASEAN needs to be more proactive in seizing and leveraging opportunities for growth, promoting digital transformation and green development, addressing climate change, and exploring other emerging areas of potential cooperation.

At the summit, the leaders agreed to reinforce ASEAN’s principled stance on the East Sea, highlighting the need to observe the rule of law and the peaceful resolution of disputes based on international law and the 1982 UNCLOS. They praised the efforts of the Lao Chair and the Chair’s special envoy on Myanmar, highlighting the ASEAN Five-Point Consensus as a guiding document for the bloc’s efforts to support Myanmar.

In the contest of a rapidly changing world, the leaders underscored the importance of promoting connectivity and resilience, maintaining solidarity and the grouping’s central role, and strengthening ASEAN’s capacity to confidently seize opportunities and build resilience to overcome challenges.

Vietnam, Singapore strengthen cooperation in transnational crime combat

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang met with visiting Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs Aubeck Kam in Hanoi on October 9 afternoon.

He said the two ministries have actively implemented various cooperation activities, including high-level delegation exchanges and collaboration in combating drug trafficking and cybercrime, and in emergency response. Their 2018 cooperation agreement on transnational crime prevention and control remains a crucial legal framework for competent agencies to step up cooperation in the areas of shared concern, cited VNA.

Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Sen. Lieut. Gen. Luong Tam Quang (R) and visiting Permanent Secretary of Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs Aubeck Kam at their meeting in Hanoi on October 9 afternoon.

Expressing his gratitude to the Singaporean ministry for its training programsfor Vietnamese public security officers, Quang proposed that both sides maintain all-level delegation exchanges to share information and enhance political trust. He also recommended completing legal documents to facilitate collaboration in law enforcement, and suggested signing, amending and supplementing the cooperation agreement on transnational crime prevention and fight, and the agreements on extradition, and the transfer of sentenced persons.

The ministries should also continue supporting and consulting each other at multilateral forums to reach consensus on matters of mutual concerns, contributing to peace, stability, and development of both countries and the region, he suggested. It is necessary to exchange more information on criminal activities affecting both nations in a bid to ensure security and safety for joint business activities as well as safety of their citizens in respective countries.

For his part, Kam stated his ministry wishes to strengthen its sound collaboration with the Vietnamese ministry, noting that the sides reached a high level of consensus on expanding their cooperation during the 12th annual meeting.

The official recommended further enhancing joint efforts in law enforcement, crime combat, and technological applications in this regard to help ensure peace and stability in the countries, their region, and the world.

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