Prime Minister’s Russia, Norway, Sweden trip a success

The trip to Russia, Norway and Sweden from May 20-28 by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc is a success as it had specific outcomes, cemented traditional bonds, and opened up new cooperation prospects for Vietnam and the countries, Deputy Foreign Minister To Anh Dung has said.
Prime Minister’s Russia, Norway, Sweden trip a success ảnh 1Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg (R) and Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (Source: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA)– The trip to Russia, Norway and Sweden from May 20-28 by Prime Minister NguyenXuan Phuc is a success as it had specific outcomes, cemented traditional bonds,and opened up new cooperation prospects for Vietnam and the countries, DeputyForeign Minister To Anh Dung has said.

The trip showed Vietnam’s relations with the three countries have been growingextensively, he said.

PM Phuc and Russian leaders agreed on strategic orientations and detailedmeasures to step up the countries’ multi-dimensional cooperation toward thetwo-way trade value of 10 billion USD by 2020.

They also agreed to bolster partnership in their conventional cooperationfields like energy, oil and gas, defence-security, and science-technology, andbegin embarking on new cooperative areas, like transport infrastructure, hightechnology, digital technology, smart city and e-government.

Norway and Swedenmade strong pledges to pushing up the early signing, ratification and implementationof important agreements with Vietnam, like the European Union-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement, Dung said.

With Norway, anarray of initiatives relating to sea-based economy, oil and gas, renewableenergy, green growth, and cooperation in response to climate change and risingsea level were discussed.

During the Sweden visit, the two countries continued discussing an idea onsustainable and innovative development partnership raised during the recent Vietnamvisit by Crown Princess Victoria Ingrid Alice Désiree along with seeking theexpansion of current cooperation fields, Dung said.

Through the trip, the vitality of the Vietnam-Russia relations was confirmed.Russian leaders emphasized many times the special feature and profound trust inthe comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam, andmentioned Vietnam as their country’s key partner in Southeast Asia and theAsia-Pacific, which provides a solid foundation for the two countries’ broadercooperation in the future, the diplomat said.

Meanwhile, cooperation in sustainable development became the main topic betweenVietnam and Norway and Sweden with discussions dealing with forest andenvironmental protection, plastic waste reduction, and response to climatechange.

The countries’ leaders spoke highly of Vietnam’s role in the region and theworld and asserted their support for the maintenance of peace, security, andstability, and the importance of free navigation and overflight as well as thesettlement of disputes in the East Sea and the region by peaceful means withrespect to international law, and the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982.

The trip to Russia,Norway and Sweden by PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc contributed greatly to successfullyrealizing the country’s external policy and international integration, thusenhancing the relations with other countries and bringing more benefits forpeople, the Deputy FM said.-VNA
VNA

See more

Spokesperson of the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Pham Thu Hang (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam reaffirms goodwill in adhering to 1982 UNCLOS

Vietnam’s clear and consistent stance is that maritime disputes must be resolved through peaceful means, with respect for diplomatic and legal processes, without the use or threat of force, and in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee for National Defence, Security and Foreign Affairs Senior Lieutenant General Le Tan Toi (right) meets with First Vice President of the Belgian Senate Andries Gryffroy. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Belgium boost parliamentary cooperation, deepen bilateral relations

Toi called on the Belgian Senate to continue supporting stronger Vietnam-EU relations, including the effective implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and promoting the European Commission's early removal of its "yellow card" warning against Vietnamese seafood exports, in recognition of Vietnam's efforts to improve its legal framework and promote sustainable fisheries management.

Director of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army General Nguyen Trong Nghia inspects the ongoing search and recovery operation for martyrs’ remains at Le Thi Rieng Park in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Senior military officer inspects martyrs’ remains search at Le Thị Rieng Park

Nghia described the ongoing 500-day campaign as a sacred mission that embodies the Vietnamese tradition of remembering those who served and sacrificed for the nation. The current generation, he said, must spare no effort in carrying out the Party’s policy and fulfilling the aspirations of the people, particularly the families of the fallen.

Prime Minister Le Minh Hung (L) presents the First-Class and Second-Class Fatherland Protection Orders to the collectives for their achievements in search and rescue, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations in Venezuela. (Photo: VNA)

PM calls for building elite, professional international search and rescue force

During its mission from June 29 to July 7, the team worked around the clock under extremely hazardous conditions amid heavily damaged and contaminated disaster zones. Despite the challenges, rescue personnel recovered 57 victims' bodies and handed them over to local authorities and families. They also identified and reported several suspected locations where additional victims might be trapped.

People gather at Den Thuong (Upper Temple) during the Hung Kings' Commemoration Day in Phu Tho province. (Photo: VNA)

📝 OP-ED: Respect for history, gratitude a lasting cultural value of Vietnamese people

In Vietnamese cultural life, gratitude toward preceding generations has long been preserved as an integral part of the nation's identity. This tradition is reflected in ancestor worship practiced in families, the Worship of the Hung Kings, village deities, national heroes and eminent cultural figures, as well as tributes to generations who sacrificed their lives for the nation's independence and freedom.

General Phan Van Giang (R) and General Khamlieng Outhakaysone plant a tree at Thanh Thuy border gate. (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Border community twinning strengthens Vietnam–Laos friendship

Over the past decade, the twinning relationship between Thuy Phong village in Nghe An’s Kim Bang commune, and Xop Tuong village in Nam On commune, Xaychamphone district, Bolikhamxay province of Laos, has become a model for fostering a shared border of peace, friendship and cooperation.

Delegates from the two nations, along with military attachés from several countries accredited to Vietnam, lay flowers in tribute to the Cuban military experts at the memorial monument within the Vietnam Military History Museum in Hanoi on July 10. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, Cuba pay tribute to fallen Cuban military experts

Cuba and Vietnam on July 10 commemorated six Cuban military experts who lost their lives 60 years ago while supporting the Vietnamese people's resistance war, reaffirming the enduring solidarity and defence ties forged through the two countries' shared history.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung (third from left) poses for a commemorative photo with Honorary Consul Thaneth Tantipiriyakij and officials from several southern Thai provinces in front of the Honorary Consulate of Vietnam in Phuket. (Photo:VNA)

Vietnam opens first honorary consulate in Phuket

The ambassador said the establishment of Vietnam's first honorary consulate in Phuket reflects both countries' commitment to enhancing cooperation with the Andaman sea economic gateway while meeting growing demand for consular services and better support for Vietnamese citizens and the Vietnamese community in southern Thailand.