Diplomatic highlights in February

US President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un in Ha Noi. Photo: VGP

Viet Nam captured world’s attention to host the second summit between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea and the United States because it is trusted by both countries.

As a neutral party with certified credit, Viet Nam has experience and capacity to host a high-level summit of government leaders. The APEC Year 2017 was a good example of this.

The country has pursued the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralization of external relations, being a reliable partner and friend to all.

In nearly two weeks, Viet Nam made great efforts in preparing for the summit, which were highly appreciated by both the DPRK and the US leaders.

Good chances for advancing ties with DPRK, US

Both President Donald Trump and DPRK leader Kim Jong Un had meetings with Vietnamese leaders on the occasion of their second summit in Ha Noi.

President Trump said the US will continue working with Viet Nam to further accelerate the comprehensive partnership between the two countries in a more practical and effective manner in the future.

US Secretary of State Micheal Pompeo affirmed the US attaches importance to the comprehensive partnership with Viet Nam, wishing Viet Nam to be a strong, independent and prosperous country.

President Trump invited Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong to visit the US this year to discuss ways to beef up the bilateral cooperation.

On the occasion, the two sides signed a number of deals worth more than US$21 billion.

Meanwhile, DRPK leader Kim Jong Un affirmed his country’s consistent position to continue inheriting and promoting long-lasting friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam.

Kim also extended his invitation to Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong to make an official visit to the Northeast Asian country at a convenient time.

Tightening friendship and cooperation with ASEAN neighbors

Just days before the second DRPK-US summit, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to Laos and State visit to Cambodia from February 24-26.

In Laos, the two sides agreed to further deepen their political ties, considering it as foundation for guiding the overall cooperation between the two countries.

Both sides stressed the importance of enhancing defense cooperation pillar in order to maintain political stability, security, safety, and social order in respective countries.

On the occasion, the two neighbors inked 9 documents on power, financial and railway transport cooperation among others.

In Cambodia, the two sides agreed that preservation and promotion of the two countries’ friendship and comprehensive cooperation is the shared responsibility of the two countries.

The two countries signed 5 cooperative documents on the occasion.

Possible talks on VN-MERCOSUR free trade deal

Argentina’s President Mauricio Macri made a State visit to Viet Nam from February 19-21.

During his visit, both sides pledged to mull over a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Southern Common Market (MERCOSUR) with Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay as four founding members.

The two sides reaffirmed the importance of a free, open and ruled-based multilateral trading system in which the World Trade Organization plays a key role.

Substantiating strategic partnership with Germany

During his two-day visit to Germany, Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh held talks with Germa FM Heiko Maas and met with Minister of Economic Affairs and Energy Peter Altmaier and Vice President of the German Bundestag Hans Peter Friedric

According to a post on German Foreign Office’s Twitter account, Deputy PM, FM Minh and German Foreign Minister Heiko Maas expect to substantiate the Viet Nam-Germany strategic partnership.

Heiko Mass spoke highly of Viet Nam’s achievements in socio-economic development and international integration as well as its role and position in ASEAN and Asia-Pacific.

He also hailed Viet Nam’s active contributions to the international community.

Both sides agreed to consolidate and enrich the contents of the Viet Nam-Germany strategic partnership across fields in the time to come, and to develop a specific plan to deepen the bilateral relationship.

Both sides also committed to close coordination at international forums and organizations, especially the United Nations as Germany will take over the EU presidency in 2020 and Viet Nam will assume ASEAN Chair in the same year.

VN ready to engage in peace process in Korean peninsula

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh had bilateral meetings with DPRK FM Ri Yong Ho and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the DPRK Workers’ Party Ri Su Yong during his official visit to the Northeast Asian country from February 12-14.

Viet Nam stands ready to share its experience in national construction, socio-economic development and international integration with the DPRK upon the latter’s request, said Minh.

He reiterated Viet Nam’s consistent position of supporting dialogues to maintain peace, security and stability on the Korean Peninsula as well as the Southeast Asian country’s willingness to make active contribution to the process.

By Quang Minh