Category: Politics

Hanoi: The official visit to Romania by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh is expected to open up a new, substantive and intensive chapter for the long-standing diplomatic ties between the two countries, Romanian Ambassador to Vietnam Cristina Romila has said.

The PM, his spouse and a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation left Hanoi on January 16 for his attendance at the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) in Davos, Switzerland and official visits to Hungary and Romania from January 16-23.

In an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), Romila spoke of prospects of the Vietnam-Romania relations.

New milestones in bilateral ties

Reporter: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh will pay an official visit to Romania at the invitation of his Romanian counterpart Ion-Marcel Ciolacu. How do you evaluate the significance of the visit?

Ambassador Cristina Romila: The visit will take further the dialogue at the Prime-Minister level between Romania and Vietnam. The most recent contacts at this lev
el took place in 2016 (the official visit to Vietnam by the Prime Minister of Romania) and 2019 (the official visit to Romania by the Prime Minister of Vietnam).

The visit also has sound symbolism, highlighting the strong people-to-people bonds that shaped the 74 years of the bilateral relations.

And I do think that his visit can bring the added value to the positive developments that we have registered in the bilateral dialogue in recent years, such as increasing the dynamics of the high level bilateral contacts as well as in the field of the economic cooperation.

The visit has the potential to be a milestone for the sectorial cooperation, providing a deeper understanding of each other’s priorities and interests.

The visit also holds special significance for both our countries because the Prime Minister graduated his university studies in Romania and he also began his professional career in the Vietnamese Embassy in Romania. So we are most grateful and we highly value his official visit to Romania.

Repo
rter: Would you highlight some outstanding achievements in the Vietnam-Romania relations over the past years?

Ambassador Cristina Romila: I think the last five years profoundly reconfirmed the traditional friendship between our countries, through a renewed dynamics of the high level contacts and the excellent cooperation in addressing major challenges that affect our time, such as the COVID-19 pandemic or the joint efforts for the evacuation of over 1,000 Vietnamese citizens from the war in Ukraine.

The people-to people contacts have also achieved major positive developments following the COVID-19 pandemic, stimulating the cultural, academic and business contacts. Representatives of more than 30 Romanian universities visited Vietnam in the last two years and the famous Bucharest Symphony orchestra performed in Vietnam in 2022 and 2023 at the Hanoi Opera House and in Da Lat city, the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong.

Several economic missions visited Vietnam in the last year, exploring new venues to d
eepen and diversify the bilateral economic cooperation.

Cooperation in new areas

Reporter: With the achievements, what do you expect for development cooperation between the two countries in the time ahead?

Ambassador Cristina Romila: First of all we would like to underline excellent results achieved during the 17th session of the Vietnam-Romania Joint Committee on Economic Cooperation that took place in Hanoi last November at the minister level.

Important cooperation mechanisms were agreed in the fields of mutual interest such as commerce, agriculture, fito-sanitary, energy, labour, science, technology, and culture.

Romania can be a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter Europe in the same manner Vietnam for Romania to enter ASEAN market.

We need to make effective use of the EVFTA to open up each other’s markets and attract investments in sectors of mutual interest.

The tradition nature of our bilateral relations, the strong friendship between our countries and the extraordinary potential of our bilater
al agenda set favourable conditions for an ambitious approach of the future.

Reporter: What are priorities in your tenure to enhance the relations between the two countries?

Ambassador Cristina Romila: Providing a new dimension for the high level political-diplomatic contacts, diversifying the economic exchanges, increasing the people-to-people contacts, building new bridges through culture cooperation, intensifying the academic exchanges are some of the most important priorities of my tenure in Vietnam.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Bac Giang: Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue paid a working visit to Bac Giang on January 18, asking the northern province to step up infrastructure development to attract major investors.

In Viet Yen district, he visited the JA Solar Vietnam Co. Ltd, which has invested 967 million USD in three projects in Bac Giang since 2016 to form a solar battery production chain.

He applauded the performance results of the company, which has become the second biggest foreign investor in the province, created a large number of jobs, and helped create an ecosystem of solar batteries, which are now in demand around the world during energy transition.

The top legislator said he is impressed with the firm’s plan to double and triple its product chain, adding that he hopes its factory at the Vietnam – Republic of Korea Industrial Park, also located in Viet Yen district, will become operational soon to contribute more to local growth.

Chairman Hue also spoke highly of JA Solar’s sense of social responsib
ility as seen in its assistance for low-income earners and students.

He highly valued Bac Giang’s investment attraction efforts and stressed that it needs to boost comprehensive infrastructure development to attract many big investors.

Highlighting Vietnam’s promotion of energy transition, substantial potential for renewable energy, and commitment to achieving net zero emissions by 2050, the NA leader called on JA Solar to continue boosting investment in the country to increase solar battery products to meet demand in Vietnam and the world.

The NA and Government of Vietnam pledge to constantly improve the investment and business climate for all enterprises, including foreign ones, and consider successes of foreign invested firms as its own, he stated.

The NA Chairman presented gifts to workers of JA Solar at the event.

The same day, he attended the inauguration of a house for a disadvantaged resident in Bich Dong township of Viet Yen district./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier and his spouse will pay a State visit to Vietnam from January 23-24, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced.

The visit will be made at the invitation of President Vo Van Thuong and his spouse./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: The following is a list of selected news summaries reported last night by the Vietnam News Agency.

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended a discussion on ASEAN as a main speaker in the framework of the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) in Davos, Switzerland, on January 17 (local time).

Other speakers at the event included Thai Prime Minister Srettha Thavisin, Speaker of the Philippine Lower House Ferdinand Martin G. Romualdez and Director-General of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a talk with representatives from world leading banks and financial investment funds on investment in Vietnam’s financial market in Davos, Switzerland, on January 17 (local time), on the sidelines of the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54).

Participants focused on assessing the financial market in Vietnam in 2023, shared models and experiences in building international financial centres and put fo
rth recommendations for Vietnam. Some financial groups also talked about their plans on investment in Vietnam. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh met with Swiss President Viola Amherd and Secretary-General of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) Rebeca Grynspan in Davos, Switzerland, on January 17 (local time) on the sidelines of the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54).

At the meeting with Swiss President Viola Amherd, PM Chinh thanked the Swiss Government for the warm welcome for him and congratulated Switzerland on the successful organisation of WEF-54, which was attended by nearly 3,000 leaders of governments and businesses globally. Read full story

– Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on January 17 afternoon (local time) received leaders of major international businesses to promote investment into Vietnam during his working trip to Davos, Switzerland to attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the WEF (WEF-54).

Receiving Marcus Bards, Chairman of the
Board of Directors of staBOO Holdings AG Company – a subsidiary of BARD AG specialising in research, development, and production of high-end interior products, PM Chinh appreciated the cooperation between the company and its Vietnamese partners to build a factory to produce bamboo products. The cooperation helps enhance the value of bamboo and increase income for bamboo growers. Moreover, with modern technologies, the factory produces environmentally friendly products and export them to the world. Read full story

– Vice Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Duc Hai hosted a reception in Hanoi on January 17 for Bernd Lange, Chairman of the European Parliament (EP)’s Committee on International Trade, during which the legislator affirmed that Vietnam always wishes to enhance its partnership and comprehensive cooperation with the European Union (EU).

Hai noted with pleasure positive developments in the relations between Vietnam and the EU as well as the Vietnamese legislature and the EP, saying Vietnam
is now an important partner of the EU in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Asia-Pacific. Read full story

– Representatives from 25 Malaysian travel companies joined a FAM trip to Quang Ninh from January 16-21 to study tourism products in the northern coastal province, home to the World Heritage site of Ha Long Bay.

Nguyen Van Son, director general of Victoria Tourism Company which organised the trip together with Malaysia’s Chinese Tourism Association (MCTA), said this is an opportunity for Vietnamese tourism businesses in general and Quang Ninh in particular to expand cooperation with Malaysia. Read full story

– The development strategy of the coal industry to 2030 with a vision to 2045 has been approved by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha in Decision No 55/QD-TTg, under which coal output is expected to be between 45 and 50 million tonnes by 2030, and between 38 and 40 million tonnes in 2031-2045.

Under the strategy, the industry will focus on exploration for upgrading existing
coal resources along with new coal mines. Read full story

– The volume of international arrivals in Vietnam is forecast to increase in 2024, said The Outbox Company in a report titled ‘Vietnam Travel Landscape 2024′ released on January 17.

According to the Vietnam-based market intelligence company, the country’s aviation industry has bounced back impressively since the travel restrictions triggered by COVID-19 were relaxed in the country and the world. Vietnam has quickly become the world’s fastest recovering domestic aviation market and is expected to establish itself as the fifth fastest developing one by 2035. Read full story

– Vietnamese players Le Tien Anh and Vu Tuan Phong have qualified for the Asian tennis championship finals in India in April after winning the championship at the International Tennis Federation (ITF) Asia 14 and Under Development Championship 2024 Regional qualifying – South, Southeast and East Asia.

During the qualifying event that took place from January 7-17 in the northern
province of Bac Ninh, Anh won the championship in the boys’ singles event while female player Naba Sishan topped the girls’ singles event./. Read full story

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on January 18 sent congratulations to Tamura Tomoko on her election as Chairwoman of the Presidium of the Japanese Communist Party (JCP) Central Committee for the 29th tenure.

Congratulating the JCP on its successful 29th congress and Tamura Tomoko on her election, the CPV leader praised the last 102 years, as the JCP has stayed consistent in the goal of a democratic revolution towards a socialist revolution and in the objection to wars and hegemonism, and attached importance to the development of theory about socialism and the building of its policies, platform, and organisation.

He expressed his belief that the JCP will successfully carry out the resolution of its 29th congress so as to become increasingly strong, promote its prestige and stature in the Japanese society, and actively contribute to peace, friendship, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.

In his message, General Secretary
Trong also voiced his delight that the traditional solidarity and friendship between the two Parties has been consolidated and developed.

He affirmed the readiness to join the new-tenure leadership of the JCP in maintaining opinion exchanges and meetings, increasing theoretical discussions, and boosting coordination at multilateral forums./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s official visit to Hungary from January 18 to 20 will create breakthroughs and impetus for the comprehensive partnership between the two countries, said Vietnamese Ambassador to the European nation Nguyen Thi Bich Thao.

The PM, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam will pay the official visit at the invitation of Hungarian PM Viktor Orban, following their attendance in the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos, Switzerland.

In a recent interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency, Thao said the trip takes place as the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary have been growing well for nearly 75 years. This will be the first time the two PMs held talks since their countries lifted bilateral ties to the comprehensive partnership in 2018.

Despite numerous difficulties, uncertainties, and risks in the world, with senior leaders’ very high political resolve, the visit will further tighten the po
litical trust, create breakthroughs and impetus for the comprehensive partnership, and especially foster ties in investment, economy, trade, science – technology, education, digital transformation, and green transition to generate practical benefits for both peoples, she remarked.

The ambassador went on to say that during the three-day visit, PM Chinh is scheduled to engage in 15 activities. In particular, the two PMs will witness the signing of cooperation documents in the fields of diplomacy, culture, water management, and crime, along with 10 others between Vietnamese and Hungarian universities. They will attend a business forum with a view to fostering bilateral economic, trade, and investment links.

PM Chinh and the delegation of Vietnam will also visit and have meetings with some Hungarian enterprises operating in such key industries as the pharmaceutical sector. The Government leader is set to deliver an important speech on Vietnam’s foreign policy and relations between the two countries at the Natio
nal University of Public Service of Hungary. In addition, he will visit the Vietnamese Embassy and meet representatives of Vietnamese people there.

Highlighting some major achievements in bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties, Thao noted that implementing its ‘Look East’ policy, Hungary has attached importance to relations with Vietnam, one of its important partners in Southeast Asia, and also supported Vietnam’s enhancement of connections with the EU. In particular, Hungary was one of the first to ratify the EU – Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), helping bilateral economic and trade links to progress over the recent past.

Thanks to these two deals, Vietnam has become a bridge for goods from Europe, including Hungary, to enter ASEAN and vice versa. Since the signing of the EVFTA, trade between the two countries has grown by a record of 33%, from 354 million USD in 2017 to over 1.2 billion USD in 2022 despite impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2023,
braving regional and global economic difficulties and an economic recession in Hungary, bilateral trade still reached some 900 million USD, she noted.

Meanwhile, she added, Hungary’s investment in Vietnam remains stable with 22 projects worth 72.28 million USD in total, ranking 51st among the 143 countries and territories investing in the Southeast Asian country.

The diplomat held that there remains huge potential for Vietnam – Hungary cooperation, especially when it has been promoted via frequent meetings between the leaders of the two countries, thereby contributing to the Vietnam – EU relations.

As Hungary is about to hold the rotating Presidency of the Council of the EU in the last half of 2024, during which it will focus on economic recovery, PM Chinh’s visit will help tackle bottlenecks and step up Vietnam’s trade and investment links with the EU via Hungary, according to Ambassador Thao./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Budapest: Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán hosted an official welcome ceremony in Budapest on January 18 afternoon (local time) for PM Pham Minh Chinh, his spouse, and a high-ranking delegation of Vietnam, who are paying an official visit to Hungary.

The visit is taking place at a time when the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries with a history of over 70 years are developing fruitfully in all fields.

The first PM-level trip between Vietnam and Hungary in seven years holds great significance as it aims to further intensify their comprehensive partnership, established in 2018, particularly in economy, education – training, and pharmaceutical technology.

PM Orbán welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart’s visit, held ahead of Hungary’s Presidency of the Council of the EU in the last half of 2024, as this is also a chance for the Southeast Asian nation to enhance coordination with the EU in regional and global issues and, especially in promoting the ratification of th
e EU – Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

During the visit, the two sides are set to sign some cooperation documents in such areas as security, diplomacy, culture, and health care.

After the welcome ceremony, PM Chinh came to lay wreaths at Heroes’ Square in Budapest./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency