Diplomatic highlights in August

On the occasion of the bloc’s 50th founding anniversary, on August 8, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc released a remark to welcome the “golden” time marking the 50th anniversary of establishment and development of ASEAN.

From the first five member States, ASEAN has grown to be a Community with 10 member States that could master its own destiny and become increasingly politically mature and economically steady with more improved institutions and more cohesive relations. "Together, we are proud of the ASEAN common house - a very successful model of regional connectivity."

Today, as the region of peace, security, stability and development, Southeast Asia is the bright point on the world map full of uncertainties. The ASEAN Community is the world’s 6th biggest economy with the annual GDP of nearly US$3 trillion. At the same time, ASEAN also features with diverse cultures and solidarity of the nations co-existing in peace with guaranteed social security and increasingly improved living standards.

ASEAN has always remained the pioneer in exchanging views constructively with partners on all issues ranging from climate change, anti-terrorism to peace and stability in the East Sea, thereby heightening the international position of ASEAN and individual member States as well.

On the occasion of the ASEAN’s founding anniversary and the 22th anniversary of Viet Nam’s accession to the bloc (July 28, 1995-July 28, 2017), the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a flag hoisting ceremony.  

Strengthening ties with ASEAN member states

* PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his spouse paid an official visit to Thailand from August 17-19 at the invitation of his counterpart Prayut Chan-o-cha.

The visit was regarded as a brilliant success in State diplomacy, investment promotion.

Regarding bilateral diplomacy, PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc held successful talks with his Thai counterpart Prayut Chan-ocha in Bangkok. The two leaders underlined the determination to achieve a trade of US$ 20 billion before 2020.

In terms of investment, the two PMs witnessed the signing ceremony of important documents on science, technology, innovation, economics, trade, telecom, post, IT, banking, and local operation.

* At the invitation of Indonesian President Joko Widodo, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong paid an official visit to Indonesia from August 22-24.

This was the first visit of a Vietnamese Party chief to Indonesia (since 1959 when great President Ho Chi Minh visited Indonesia) and the first one of this kind when the two countries set up strategic partnership in June, 2013.

Mr. Trong held talks with Indonesian President Joko Widodo in which they agreed to reach US$ 10 billion trade turnover and facilitate favorable business environment.

* In the month, the Vietnamese Party leader also paid an official visit to Myanmar from August 24-26 at the invitation of Myanmar’s President Htin Kyaw.  

President Htin Kyaw emphasized that the visit set an important historical milestone and opened up a new chapter for the bilateral ties. The two leaders agreed to set up the Viet Nam-Myanmar comprehensive cooperative partnership.

Welcoming first Mozambican and Turkish PMs on first official visits to VN

* At the invitation of PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Mozambican PM Carlos Agostinho do Rosario paid an official visit to Viet Nam from July 31 to August 3 and Turkish PM Binali Yildirim paid a State visit to Viet Nam from August 22-24, 2017.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc held talks with the Mozambican PM on his official visit to Viet Nam, regarding this as an important milestone in the bilateral ties especially following the visit of former State President Truong Tan Sang to Mozambique in March, 2016.

The two sides agreed to continue exchanging delegations at all levels and support each other at international forums. They determined to convert Mozambique into a leading partner of Viet Nam in the Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa. In return, Viet Nam will serve as a gateway between Mozambique and the Southeast Asian region.

* During the talks with PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and the meeting with National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on August 23, Turkish PM Binali Yildirim emphasized that the official visit was late but was a good beginning, serving to cement and deepen the bilateral ties.

The two PMs underscored the determination to elevate the bilateral trade to US$ 4 billion by 2020 via trade and investment promotion activities. They also agreed to mark a series of practical events to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018.

In August,  other outstanding diplomatic highlights included the working visit of Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh to attend the 50th ASEAN Foreign Ministers Meeting (AMM 50) and relevant meetings from August 5-8; the official visit of Defense Minister Ngo Xuan Lich to the U.S. from August 7-10; and the third Senior Officials' Meeting (SOM 3) in HCMC from August 29-30./.

By Huong Giang