Vietnamese embassy in South Africa shows strong performance as APC Chair in 2020

The Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa successfully completed its role as Chair of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee (APC) in 2020, contributing to promoting the partnership between ASEAN and South Africa and Africa in general.
Vietnamese embassy in South Africa shows strong performance as APC Chair in 2020 ảnh 1Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Van Loi (R) hands over the role of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee Chair to Indonesian Ambassador Salman Al Farisi (Photo: VNA)

Pretoria (VNA) – The Vietnamese Embassy in SouthAfrica successfully completed its role as Chair of the ASEAN Pretoria Committee (APC) in 2020, contributing to promoting thepartnership between ASEAN and South Africa and Africa in general.

Addressing a ceremony in Pretoria on February 8 to take therole of APC Chair from Vietnamese Ambassador to South Africa Hoang Van Loi,Indonesian Ambassador Salman Al Farisi lauded the activeness of Vietnam as theAPC Chair in 2020.

He said that Ambassador Loi received the role from Thailandwhen South Africa was experiencing severe impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic on aspects of life as well as operations of foreignrepresentative offices.

Despite difficulties, the Vietnamese diplomat appliedoperation methods to adapt to the reality, he noted, adding that Ambassador Loiregularly contacted with APC members and the Department of InternationalRelations and Cooperation(DIRCO) to exchange information on the situation in South Africa and Africa andshare experience in COVID-19 prevention and control as well as promotecooperation among parties and optimise opportunities from the AfricanContinental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

The Vietnamese Embassy played the role as a bridge linkingthe DIRCO and the Vietnam’s Foreign Ministry in preparing for South Africa tojoin the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC).

Under the chair of Vietnam – the ASEAN Chair 2020, SouthAfrica, along with Colombia and Cuba, signed the agreement to join the TAC,opening opportunities on broader and deeper cooperation in politics, economy,socio-culture between ASEAN and the countries.
         
Ambassador Loi coordinated with other APC members toorganise the ASEAN Golf Day in late November 2020 to boost cultural and sportexchange between the APC and local authorised agencies, he noted.

Ambassador Salman Al Farisi hailed the achievements thatVietnam has made as the ASEAN Chair and a non-permanent member of the UN SecurityCouncil, contributing to strengthening the common voice of ASEANin the international arena, dealing with challenges of the region in a timelymanner, and helping to build a Southeast Asian region of peace, solidarity andprosperity.

Ambassador Loi said that in 2020 when South Africa performed the role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council and the President ofthe African Union, Vietnam and South Africa coordinated closely at regional andinternational forums for the common interest of the international community,Africa and Asia.

The Vietnamese and Indonesian ambassadors agreed to continueexchanging information and experience to help Indonesia fulfil the APC Chairrole in 2021.

Earlier on January 27, ASEAN ambassadors in South Africa hadan online meeting to evaluate the performance of the committee in 2020 andsketch out plan for 2021./.  

VNA

See more

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man addresses the closing of the NA's ninth extraordinary session (Photo: VNA)

NA’s 9th extraordinary session wraps up

Speaking at the closing ceremony, NA Chairman Man stated that the session, which lasted six and a half days, adopted multiple laws and resolutions aimed at reorganising the state apparatus and accelerating socio-economic development.

Lawmakers vote to pass resolution on supplements to the 2025 socio-economic development plan (Photo: VNA)

Resolution adjusting 2025 socio-economic development plan adopted

Under the resolution, the legislative body decided to adjust some key targets. Accordingly, the gross domestic product (GDP) growth rate is set to reach 8% or higher, with the GDP scale this year expected to exceed 500 billion USD. The GDP per capita is projected to surpass 5,000 USD, and the average consumer price index (CPI) growth rate is targeted to be around 4.5 - 5%.

NA deputies vote to adopt the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents (revised) (Photo: VNA)

National Assembly adopts two revised laws

On February 19, the 15th National Assembly adopted the Law on Organisation of Local Governments (revised) and the Law on Promulgation of Legal Documents (revised).

A resolution on the investment policy of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project is approved at the the 15th NA's 9th extraordinary session in Hanoi on February 19. (Photo: VNA)

NA greenlights investment policy of Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong rail project

According to the resolution, the construction of a modern and harmonious railway aims to meet the transport demand between Vietnam and China. The initiative is expected to serve as a catalyst for rapid and sustainable economic development along the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong economic corridor while strengthening national defence and security and promoting the industrialisation and modernisation, contributing to delivering on the targets and missions set at the documents of the 13th National Party Congress and the Party’s resolutions.

An overview of the NA's ninth extraordinary session (Photo: daibieunhandan.vn)

NA deputies to approve several resolutions, laws on February 19

The deputies will pass a resolution addressing issues related to the streamlining of the political system’s organisational apparatus, a resolution on supplementation to the 2025 socio-economic development plan with a growth target of at least 8%, and another on pilot policies to remove barriers in science-technology research and innovation activities.

Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh (L) and Liu Jianchao, head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central Committee at their meeting in Beijing on February 18 (Photo: VNA)

China prioritises Vietnam in its neighborhood diplomacy: official

The International Department of the CPC Central Committee stands ready to work closely with the Vietnamese Embassy to properly implement the common perceptions of the Parties and countries’ leaders, prepare for high-level exchanges and meetings, and fruitfully boost inter-Party cooperation.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) receives Cuban Minister of Foreign Affairs Bruno Rodríguez Parrilla (Photo: VNA)

Prime Minister hosts Cuban Foreign Minister

In the current complex international context, Vietnam stands shoulder-to-shoulder with Cuba, shares experience with and supports the country in overcoming challenges and promoting its strengths for mutual development.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the conference (Photo: VNA)

PM calls on newly appointed cabinet members to build clean, accountable Government

As the highest administrative body, the Government bears a heavy responsibility across all sectors, particularly as Vietnam aims for sustainable double-digit economic growth while ensuring macroeconomic stability, controlling inflation, public debt and fiscal deficits, and safeguarding national sovereignty and territorial integrity, said PM Pham Minh Chinh.