Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from July 10-16 by The World and Vietnam Report.

Review on a number of news headlines on external affairs from July 10-16 by The World and Vietnam Report:                56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers'Meeting Plenary Session in Jakarta, Indonesia on July 11, 2023.

                                                                     (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

Leaders’ activities

On July 14, on the occasion of the 234th anniversary of the French National Day (July 14, 1789 - 2023), President Vo Van Thuong sent a message of congratulations to French President Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister Pham. Minh Chinh sent congratulatory messages to Prime Minister Elisabeth Borne, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent congratulatory messages to Senate President Gérard Larcher and Speaker of the House of Representatives Yael Braun-Pivet. Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son sent a congratulatory message to European and French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna.

On July 10, receiving outgoing French Ambassador Nicolas Warnery, President Vo Van Thuong expressed his belief that in any position, the diplomat will continue serving as a bridge promoting traditional friendship and strategic partnership between the two countries. In order to boost the bilateral ties in the near future, the President suggested both sides continue facilitating meetings and visits by their leaders. He asked the Ambassador to convey his invitation to French President Emmanuel Macron, saying that Vietnam is ready to welcome the French leader for a visit at a suitable time.

President Vo Van Thuong (R) and French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery. (Photo: VNA)

On July 13, receiving Mr. Jim Pillen, Governor of the US state of Nebraska, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh appreciated Governor Pillen’s selection of Vietnam for his first overseas trip in his capacity as Governor of Nebraska, and affirmed that Vietnam considers the US a leading important partner and wishes to boost their bilateral comprehensive partnership, covering cooperation between localities and people-to-people exchange – a pillar of the relationship.

On July 12, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh received President of the International Federation of Freight Forwarders Associations (FIATA) Ivan Petrov, who was visiting Vietnam to attend FIATA’s 2023 Asia-Pacific Regional Annual Meeting, which took place in Da Nang city from July 13 to 15. The Prime Minister suggested the Federation enhance cooperation with Vietnam, and support the development of the nation’s logistics service strategy until 2035 with a vision to 2045.

On July 10, receiving Mr. Hagiuda Koichi, Member of the Japanese House of Representatives and Chairman of the Policy Research Council of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh believed that his visit will contribute to strengthening relationship between the two ruling Parties and Governments.

On the same day, Politburo member, Standing Party Secretary Truong Thi Mai, Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group received Mr. Hagiuda Koichi. She recommended Japan to further strengthen the foundation of the CPV-LDP ties in the Vietnam-Japan relations, increase high-level exchanges and meetings, and promote practical cooperation across fields.

On July 10, receiving Mr. Shiota Koichi, Governor of Kagoshima prefecture, Japan, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said cooperation between Vietnam and Kagoshima prefecture has been promoted, particularly in manufacturing, agriculture, seafood processing, tourism, and receiving Vietnamese students and apprentices. Prime Minister Chinh also hoped the Kagoshima authorities will continue to facilitate the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in the prefecture to boost mutual understanding and trust.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Governor of Japan’s Kagoshima prefecture Shiota Koichi at their meeting in Hanoi on July 10; 2023. (Photo:VGP)

On July 13, receiving Ms. Alice Carr, Executive Director of Public Policy of Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ), Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha shared about solutions and roadmaps for achieving the commitment of reducing greenhouse gas emissions to zero and the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), along with other ongoing initiatives in Vietnam. Vietnam has made thorough preparations to select effective and practical projects, he said, wishing that the GFANZ actively leads the process of implementing Net Zero and JETP.

On July 11, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha received Professor of energy and climate change Frank Jotzo from the Australian National University.

Activities of the Foreign Minister

From July 11-14, at the invitation of Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting (AMM-56) and related meetings in Jakarta, Indonesia. This is the largest annual series of activities by ASEAN Foreign Ministers.

At the plenary session of AMM-56, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son called peace, security, and stability the prerequisite for prosperity. The Vietnamese Minister applauded ASEAN’s tradition of dialogue and cooperation, enhancing trust, ironing out differences, and building up consensus. In its relations with partners, ASEAN needs to maintain a balanced approach, consult partners about issues of common concern, and ensure the compliance with its fundamental principles, processes and procedures, he noted. The Foreign Minister also reaffirmed and asked partners to respect the bloc’s principled stance on the East Sea issue.

Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son led a Vietnamese delegation attended meeting of the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone (SEANWFZ) Treaty Commission and a dialogue with the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights (AICHR); ASEAN Retreat, related meetings between Foreign Ministers of ASEAN member states and their partners, such as ASEAN+1 with Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), the European Union (EU), the UK, Canada, New Zealand, India, Russia, Australia and China, and the ASEAN+3 meeting; 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF); the East Asian Summit (EAS) and ASEAN-US Foreign Ministers Meeting.

AMM-56: Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son attended the 30th ASEAN Regional Forum (AFR). (Photo: WVR/Tuan Anh)

On the occasion of AMM 56, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son had a meeting with Politburo member and Director of the Communist Party of China Central Committee’s Foreign Affairs Commission Wang Yi; meeting with ASEAN Secretary-General Kao Kim Hourn; bilateral meetings with the Foreign Ministers of Laos, Australia, India, Japan, Canada, Papua New Guinea, Turkey, etc, to discuss aspects of bilateral cooperation and within the ASEAN framework.

At the AMM 56, Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son joined other AEAN Foreign Ministers in discussion of the situation in the East Sea, expressing concern over land reclamation activities and serious incidents in the region that erode trust, hike tension and potentially undermine peace, security and stability in the area. In a Joint Statement released after the two-day meeting in Jakarta, the Ministers reaffirmed the need to enhance mutual trust and confidence, exercise self-restraint in conducting activities that may complicate or escalate disputes and affect peace and stability, as well as avoid actions that could further complicate the situation. ASEAN reaffirmed the pursuit of peaceful solutions to disputes in accordance with widely recognised principles of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They emphasised the importance of non-militarisation and self-restraint in conducting activities that may complicate the situation and escalate tension in the East Sea.

Bilateral activities

On July 14, in Hanoi, French Ambassador to Vietnam Nicolas Warnery hosted a ceremony, marking the 234th anniversary of the National Day of France (July 14, 1789 - 2023). Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and representatives of Vietnamese ministries and agencies attended the event. In her remarks, Deputy Foreign Minister Hang extended her congratulations to the French leaders and people on their National Day. France is a leading important partner of Vietnam, she said, speaking highly of cooperation between the two sides, bilaterally, regionally and globally, particularly their dialogues and delegation exchanges from late 2021 to early 2023.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang speaks at the celebration of the National Day of France, in Hanoi, on July 14, 2023. (Photo: French Embassy in Vietnam)

On July 13, speaking at the opening of the Vietnam-Japan Festival 2023 in Da Nang City on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations, Assistant to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang welcomed the organization of the festival by Da Nang city, emphasising it as a very meaningful activity, contributing to increasing sharing and understanding between the people of the two countries, as well as deepening their economic cooperation in all fields.

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnamese media on the occasion of the 30th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries (July 12, 1993-2023), Israeli Ambassador to Vietnam Yaron Mayer affirmed that the upcoming signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and Israel will be a great achievement, opening up bilateral trade and investment cooperation opportunities.

Also on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties (July 12, 1993-2023), in the interview with Vietnamese media, Vietnamese Ambassador to Israel Ly Duc Trung stressed that Vietnam and Israel, have achieved pride worthy cooperation achievements in the fields of politics, economy, trade and investment, making the two nations become each other's leading partner in Southeast Asia and the Middle East.

On July 10, at the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan, Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu received Mr. Natsuo Yamaguchi, Chairman of Japanese Party, a partner of the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) in the governing coalition, and a number of senior members of the Party. The two sides discussed measures to promote Vietnam-Japan relations, including the relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Japanese Party.

From July 10-11,Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Vu Quang Minh paid a working trip to Bühl city of Baden-Württemberg state to seek bilateral cooperation and investment opportunities.

From July 10-11, the delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam, led by Politburo member Nguyen Xuan Thang, President of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics (HCMA) and Chairman of the Central Theory Council, on a working visit to China at the invitation of the Communist Party of China Central Committee. During the visit, Politburo Thang paid a courtesy call to Cai Qi, member of the Politburo Standing Committee, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat and Director of the General Office of the CPC Central Committee; and held talks with Li Shulei, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee’s Secretariat and Head of the Publicity Department of the CPC Central Committee. The Vietnamese party delegation also hold a working session with leaders of the CPC’s Central Party School and paid a working trip to Guangdong province.

Multilateral activities

In the interview to Vietnamese media, Ambassador Vu Ho, Acting Head of the ASEAN SOM Vietnam stressed that the 56th ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-56) and related meetings in Jakarta from July 8-14 sent out a message “ASEAN Matters: Epicentrum of Growth” to the region and international community.

Ambassador Vu Ho said the discussions focused on economic cooperation, recovery and sustainable development. Ministers also affirmed the central role of ASEAN in all regional processes, ranging from growth, economic development, changing working methods and launching ASEAN's decisions, to approaches to regional and international issues. According to him, ASEAN also shared the view that disputes and differences could be handled via dialogue in accordance with international law.

On July 14, the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) adopted 30 resolutions at the end of its 53rd regular session in Geneva, including one resolution on climate change and human rights drafted and proposed by Vietnam, Bangladesh, and the Philippines that highlights the adverse impact of the natural phenomenon on livelihoods and human rights, emphasising the need for international cooperation to address these impacts. From June 19 - July 14, the session took place in both in-person and online formats, featuring five thematic panel discussions, deliberations, and dialogues on 37 special procedures and human rights mechanisms of the UN, consultations on draft resolutions.

Assistant to the Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Minh Vu (front, second from left) attends the the 53rd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva. (Photo: WVR)

The Vietnamese delegation, led by Assistant to Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Vu, also actively joined the session with various statements and consultations. Along with Bangladesh and the Philippines, Vietnam also co-organised a thematic panel discussion on the adverse impact of climate change on the full realization of the right to food.

From July 10 to 13, Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Hoang Giang attended the 64th session of the World Intellectual Property Organization's General Assembly (WIPO) in Geneva, Switzerland.

Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs

On July 15, responding to a reporter's question about Vietnam's position on the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the Arbitral Tribunal Ruling on the East Sea, Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang stated:

"Vietnam's consistent policy is that disputes in the East Sea between the parties involved need to be resolved through peaceful means in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), respecting diplomatic and legal processes, and contributing to peace and cooperation in the East Sea."

On this occasion, Vietnam once again reaffirms its sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes in accordance with international law, and Vietnam's legal rights to sea areas established in accordance with the UNCLOS."

Other activities

On July 13, the Word and Vietnam Report (WVR) and the Korea Times (KT) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) for promoting mutual cooperation by sharing content. On the Vietnamese side, attending the ceremony were Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang, Editor-in-Chief of the World & Vietnam Report Nguyen Truong Son, representatives of the Department of Press and Information, Department of North-East Asia, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and staff of the World and Vietnam Report. Vietnamese Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Nguyen Vu Tung is also a guest at the event. The Korea Times side was attended by President and Publisher Oh Young-jin, and senior editors. Under the MOU, the two newspapers will share with each other content, text, photo, video, and others selected, through mutual consultation, and facilitate visits by members of each party to the countries where the two operate, and promote the expansion of bilateral cooperation to other parties in the respective regions, etc.

On July 11, the 11th Ocean Dialogue, themed “Hybrid Activities: Helping or Hindering Order at Sea”, took place in Hai Phong city. The event, held by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), the UK Embassy in Vietnam, and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung (KAS) foundation’s Vietnam Office, attracted more than 100 delegates attending in person and over 50 others via videoconference, including 20 experts from 14 countries.

11th Ocean Dialogue talks hybrid, grey zone activities: Some participants in the 11th Ocean Dialogue in Hai Phong city on July 11, 2023. (Photo: DAV)

Participants discussed the trend of using hybrid activities by many countries in the region and the world, including grey zone activities in the East Sea. In his opening remarks, DAV Vice President Dr Nguyen Hung Son said that hybrid activities are not a new phenomenon in the world. Many grey zone activities haven’t been fully identified or assessed on the basis of international law. Suggesting some initiatives for countries in and outside the region to better manage hybrid activities and effectively respond to grey zone activities, the dialogue noted that countries should enhance the coordination of actions among relevant agencies; and improve the capacity of identifying grey zone challenges, and differentiating hybrid activities with legal purposes from grey zone activities with illegal intentions.

(Source: WVR)