Category: Politics

Hanoi: The ASEAN Future Forum 2024 (AFF 2024), which will take place in Hanoi on April 23, is expected to create a platform for stakeholders to contribute ideas and initiatives on the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)’s future vision, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Do Hung Viet has said.

This is a forum exclusively for ASEAN, of ASEAN, and for its people, where all stakeholders will share new initiatives to help ASEAN leaders devise strategies and visions for the group in the coming time, helping to bring practical benefits to people, he said in an interview granted to the press.

Nearly 400 delegates have registered to take part in the forum, Viet said, noting that government leaders and ministers from ASEAN countries are scheduled to deliver speeches. They include Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone of Laos – ASEAN Chair 2024, Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Retno Marsudi, Brunei Minister of Foreign Affairs Erywan Yusof and ASEAN S
ecretary-General Kao Kim Hourn.

United Nations Secretary General Antonio Guterres, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, and former British Prime Minister Tony Blair will send pre-recorded messages to the forum.

Many leading regional and international scholars have also confirmed their attendance, including former Indonesian Minister of Foreign Affairs Marty Natalegawa and former Singapore Minister of Foreign Affairs George Yeo.

A summary of opinions to be raised at the forum will be sent to ASEAN high-ranking leaders through official channels. The bloc’s proposals are also expected to be forwarded to the UN as one of its contributions to preparations for the UN Summit of the Future in September.

In addition to plenary sessions, there will be a business session on how to optimise development opportunities amidst the current digital transformation. It will be co-chaired by PM Chinh and his Lao counterpart Sonexay, with the participation experts and enterprises of Vie
tnam, ASEAN and partner countries.

Viet said the session will offer a chance for businesses to look into advantages, difficulties and opportunities in the context of digital transformation, and build new networks.

The official stressed that rapid, sustainable and people-centred development is an issue of common concern of the world and all ASEAN countries. This is a basic and essential need of ASEAN given many economic difficulties as well as non-traditional security challenges such as climate change, natural disasters or epidemics, and supply chain disruptions.

To this end, the forum will examine how to harmonise between development and environmental protection and climate change response, to ensure social security, as well as to place people at the centre of all development-related decisions of each country and the region as a whole.

As one of the biggest multilateral diplomatic events hosted by Vietnam this year, the forum once again demonstrates Vietnam’s desire to contribute more to regional cooperat
ion and promote its core role in regional and international collaboration, he said./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Cairo: Egyptian newspaper Cairo Today on April 21 ran a story spotlighting the significance of Vietnam’s Dien Bien Phu Victory 70 years ago and the country’s achievements in its path to prosperity after nearly 40 years of Doi Moi (Renewal).

Ahmed Hassan, the author of the article, held that the victory not only influenced Vietnam’s history but also changed the world situation, paving the way for national independence movements in colonial and dependent countries.

This was the first time in the world history that the military of a colonial country defeated a European professional army, underlined the author, stressing that the victory not only had great significance for the Vietnamese people but was also a strong encouragement and inspiration for other colonial countries around the world in their fight against invaders for national independence.

With the inspiration called “Vietnam”, colonial peoples in many parts of the world rose up to overthrow colonialism and regain the control of their country, especia
lly in French colonies, he noted, adding that in 1960 alone, 17 countries in Africa gained national independence, making 1960 the “Year of Africa”.

The Dien Bien Phu Victory also had international historical importance, opening a new era, a new phase in the heroic struggle of colonial peoples to liberate themselves, while encouraging and contributing to opening a bright future for the liberation movement of all peoples in the world.

Hassan called the victory “a brilliant golden milestone in history’ which directly led to the signing of the Geneva Agreement on ending the war and restoring peace in Indochina, creating a basis and conditions for Vietnamese people to advance to victory in the resistance war against the US and to liberate the South and reunite the country in 1975.

In the article, the author also highlighted great and historical achievements that Vietnam has gained over the past nearly 40 years, rising from a poor and underdeveloped country to an economy with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reachin
g 430 billion USD in 2023, ranking fifth among the ASEAN countries and 35th among the 40 largest economies in the world.

Vietnam has become the 22nd largest trade partner globally. The country has left the group of low-income countries since 2008 and on the way to become an upper-middle income country by 2030, according to the article.

It added that Vietnam is considered one of the leading countries in achieving the United Nations Millennium Goals.

Regarding foreign affairs, from a country under siege and embargo, Vietnam has now expanded and deepened diplomatic relations with 193 countries. By now, it has established comprehensive strategic partnerships or strategic partnerships with all the five permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, while sharing economic and trade relations with 230 countries and territories. This shows that Vietnam’s position and reputation in the international arena is high, affirming its policy of being a friend, a trustworthy partner and an active and responsible
member of the international community, read the article./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Long An: Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s speech at the first meeting of the personnel sub-committee for the 14th National Party Congress has received attention and applause of people from all walks of life in the southern province of Long An.

In his speech, the Party chief set the standards for members of the 14th Party Central Committee to truly be exemplary Party members in terms of political mettle, moral qualities, and working capacity, emphasising that they must have both virtue and talent, in which virtue is the root.

Vo Thanh Nghi, a retired official in Ward 4, Tan An city, said that the speech’s content is close to the current practical requirements, as it clearly analyses and points out the position, meaning, and importance of the personnel preparation for the 14th Party Congress, as well as the content and methods of selection, and responsibilities of the political system, the Party committees at all levels, Party organisations, agencies, and units, particularly the personnel sub-commit
tee.

Through this important speech, officials, Party members, and people understand more clearly that the work of building and rectifying the Party and the political system must be implemented drastically, comprehensively, concertedly, regularly and effectively in terms of politics, ideology, ethics, organisation, and personnel.

According to Nghi, the Party needs to do better personnel work to properly select and arrange truly virtuous and talented people.

Sharing the same view, Nguyen Huu Ly, a member of the provincial Journalists’ Association, stressed the need to pay attention to the personnel quality, and ensure sufficient rate of women, artists, professions./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son has highlighted the significance of the Geneva Accords 70 years after its signing and valuable lessons for Vietnam’s diplomatic endeavors.

In a recent interview granted to the press on the occasion, the official recalled that on July 21, 1954, the Geneva Accords were signed after 75 days of intense and complex negotiations marking the first time in the nation’s history that the fundamental national rights of Vietnam – independence, sovereignty, unity, and territorial integrity – had been affirmed in an international agreement, recognised and respected by the countries participating in the Geneva Conference. This was a result of the resilient struggle by the people under the leadership of the Party throughout the long resistance against colonialism, culminating in the glorious victory of Dien Bien Phu.

He said alongside the victory, the accords completely ended the colonial domination of the old imperialism that had lasted nearly 100 years in the country, ushe
ring in a new chapter in the cause of national liberation and reunification. It marked the establishment of socialism in the north and the launch of the democratic national revolution in the south, aiming to fully realise the goal of national independence and unity.

The signing of the Geneva Accords was not only a historical milestone for the nation but also held significance for the era, he said, adding that it represented the collective triumph of the three Indochinese countries and peace lovers worldwide. This agreement, along with the Dien Bien Phu victory, strongly encouraged oppressed peoples to rise up in the struggle for national liberation, heralding the era of the collapse of imperialism worldwide.

Describing the accords as the first international agreement negotiated, signed and enforced by Vietnam, Son said it not only affirmed Vietnam’s independent and sovereign status on the international stage but also represented a significant milestone in the development of Vietnam’s revolutionary diplomacy
. It left valuable lessons and contributed to the cultivation of numerous outstanding diplomats in the Ho Chi Minh era.

According to him, Vietnam kept expanding international solidarity, pooling support from people worldwide to the righteous struggle by the Vietnamese people during the negotiations of the Geneva Accords.

Throughout the process of negotiating, signing, and implementing the accords, Vietnam consistently adhered to the principles of peace, national independence, and territorial integrity, while remaining agile and flexible with a strategy appropriate to the balance of power and the global and regional context, in order to achieve strategic objectives.

The foreign minister also underlined lessons on studying and forecasting situation, using dialogue and peaceful negotiations to resolve differences and conflicts in international relations, adding that they are especially relevant in today’s complex global landscape.

He further said that in the overall cause of national liberation and reunifica
tion, and specifically in the negotiations, signing, and implementation of the Geneva Accords, Vietnam consistently received significant and invaluable support, both materially and spiritually, from international friends, primarily from Laos, Cambodia, socialist countries, and peace-loving people worldwide.

In the process of renewal and following the Party’s sound foreign policy, Vietnam continues to garner invaluable support and cooperation from the international community on the basis of equality and mutually beneficial cooperation.

The Vietnamese Party, State, and people always highly value and keep in mind the support and assistance from international friends, he said, adding that within its ability, Vietnam always supports and makes active and responsible contributions to the collective efforts of the international community for peace, independence, democracy, and progress worldwide./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Lang Son: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh asked the northern border province of Lang Son to maximise its development resources while addressing a conference announcing the locality’s master plan for 2021-2030 with a vision towards 2050 on April 21.

Highlighting Lang Son’s strategic position in politics, economy, culture, national defence and security, and foreign affairs, the leader lauded its achievements over the past time, with its gross regional domestic product (GRDP) growing 7% last year.

He also pointed to problems regarding production and business, the implementation of some investment projects, public investment disbursement, natural resources management, smuggling and trade fraud.

Given this, he urged the locality to work harder in order to contribute to consolidating and strengthening the solidarity, friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and its neighbouring country of China, and to maintaining national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity, while carrying forward its role in t
ransport and economic connectivity between Vietnam and other ASEAN countries, and China.

The provincial master plan should match national, regional and sectoral plans, he said, asking Lang Son to quickly set out an implementation plan which needs to identify key tasks, progress and resources.

The locality was also requested to change its development mindset and vision, optimise its intrinsic strengths, step up the public-private partnership, prioritise major investment projects, and pay more attention to human resources development, innovation, and science-technology research and application, focusing on agriculture, processing, trade, logistics and tourism.

More heed should be paid to cultural development and improvement of living standards of local residents, especially ethnic minority groups, the PM stressed.

Other tasks assigned by the leader include natural resources management, environmental protection, climate change response, administrative reform and preparations of projects to call for investors
.

Under the provincial master plan, Lang Son is set to become a growth pole and an economic centre of the northern midland and mountainous region by 2030, and holds an increasing important role in economic and trade connectivity between Vietnam, other ASEAN countries, China and Europe. By that time, it would be among the top five localities in the region in terms of economic size and GRDP per capita.

On this occasion, Lang Son presented investment licences and in-principle approvals to 14 projects with a total capital of 18.6 trillion VND (730.98 million USD) and nine investment memoranda of understanding to investors./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Dien Bien: Acting President Vo Thi Anh Xuan on April 21 offered incense at the Dien Bien Phu Battlefield Martyrs’ Temple and the A1-Dien Bien Martyrs Cemetery and visited veterans who contributed to Dien Bien Phu Victory 70 years ago.

Xuan and her encourage visited and gave gifts to veteran Nguyen Huu Chap, 93, residing in Him Lam ward, and veteran Nguyen Viet Diem, 94, in Thanh Binh ward, Dien Bien Phu city.

She expressed her respect for and gratitude to the great contributions and sacrifices of Dien Bien soldiers to the great Dien Bien Phu Victory.

She wished the veterans good health and hoped that they will continue to be good examples for their children and grandchildren to follow.

With the good traditions of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” and the spirit of “Dien Bien soldiers”, they will continue to contribute to the socio-economic development of their homeland, she said.

Xuan acknowledged, appreciated, and called on local Party committees and authorities to continue to better implement the policies supporti
ng the poor and revolution contributors, especially on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu Victory.

The same day, the Acting President visited the Dien Bien Phu Historical Victory Museum./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Lang Son: Construction of the Huu Nghi-Chi Lang Expressway, the final sub-project of a mega project to build the eastern wing of the North-South Expressway, began at a ceremony in the northern border province of Lang Son on April 21, with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attending.

The build-operate-transfer (BOT) sub-project runs through Chi Lang, Cao Loc and Van Lang districts, and Lang Son city with a total length of about 59.87km. Its construction is expected to cost 11.02 trillion VND (433.09 million USD), of them 5.49 trillion VND from the State coffer, and to be completed in 2026.

In his remarks, PM Chinh emphasised attention paid to the mega project, which runs from Lang Son to the southernmost province of Ca Mau, traversing 32 localities and three key economic zones.

Its Huu Nghi-Chi Lang sub-project is set to create new development space, and serve as a gateway between ASEAN countries and China, he continued, asking the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Transport and other minist
ries and agencies to continue their close coordination with Lang Son in order to ensure its progress, quality, safety and efficiency.

Lang Son needs to further closely work with investors during the construction, and give special care to residents in the project area, the leader said.

On this occasion, Chinh handed over donations to ethnic minority households in Lang Son to help them build new houses, and commended Lang Son, organisations and individuals for their response to the movement on doing away with makeshift homes, set to last until 2025, with up to 3,200 houses removed so far./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency