The Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand hosted a ceremony in
Wellington on August 31 to mark the country’s 65 th National Day, on
September 2.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese
Ambassador to New Zealand Vuong Hai Nam highlighted the outstanding
achievements that the Vietnamese people have made over the past 65
years, especially since the beginning of the renewal process.
He also reviewed the developments in the relationship between Vietnam
and New Zealand since the two countries established diplomatic ties
35 years ago. Both countries had agreed to raise their relationship
to a “comprehensive partnership” during an official visit to New
Zealand by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, in September 2009.
Both Foreign Ministers also signed an action plan
for the future just after New Zealand ’s Prime Minister John Key
visited Vietnam in July 2010.
On behalf of the
New Zealand government, the Minister for Courts, Disarmament and
Arms Control, Georgina Te Heuheu, said that she was pleased at the level
of bilateral ties reached in recent years and emphasised the potential
for cooperation in bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The minister pledged New Zealand ’s continued assistance to
Vietnam in investments, trade, education and training, environment,
health and poverty reduction.
She confirmed that
New Zealand will continue to support Vietnam at regional and
international forums, including the negotiations for the trans-Pacific
Partnership Agreement (TPP).
As part of the
activities to mark the National Day, the Embassy will liaise with the
Vietnamese Students’ Association in Wellington to hold an event
entitled “A night in Vietnam ” on September 3.
Later the same day, the Vietnamese Association in Cambodia (VAC) held a
meeting in Phnom Penh to celebrate the nation’s important
anniversaries.
The president of the VAC, Tran Van
Toi, said that he was proud of the country’s ongoing development and
integration and conveyed the Vietnamese community’s confidence in the
Party’s leadership, the State and the Government during national
construction.
On the occasion, the VAC launched a
movement to ensure solidarity and mutual support amongst Vietnamese
people living in Cambodia , as well as helping to build a peaceful
and stable society in their host country.
The
Vietnamese Association in Vientiane , Laos , also organised a
concert featuring Quan Ho singers from Bac Ninh on August 31 to mark the
event.
Earlier on August 30, the Vietnamese
Embassy in Thailand held a ceremony in Bangkok to mark National
Day in the presence of Speaker of the Thai Senate Prasopsuk Boondej and
Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwanakhiri.
The
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand , Ngo Duc Thang, stated that
September 2, 1945 marked a milestone in Vietnam ’s long history, as it
brought independence and freedom to Vietnam after many years of
oppression.
Vietnam is ASEAN Chair in 2010
and the country is hosting a range of activities to mark the 1,000 th
anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, he said, adding that these events offer
the country an opportunity to promote its image as a peaceful,
politically stable country that is rapidly developing, to international
friends.
On the country’s 65 th National Day,
Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Do Trong Cuong, delivered a speech
highlighting the recent developments in the traditional relationship
between Vietnam and Algeria .
He noted that
bilateral ties have been consolidated by the exchange of visits by both
countries’ top leaders, especially the visit to Vietnam by Algerian
President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2000, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s
visit in 2004 as well as the recent visit to Algeria by President
Nguyen Minh Triet.
The Vietnam-Algeria and
Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Associations as well as the Vietnam-Algeria
and Algeria-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Groups have been set up to help
strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, he
added.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Algeria increased from over 6 million USD in 2000 to 100 million USD in 2008./.