Day: January 14, 2024

Hanoi: The Vietnam-Malta ties have experienced positive developments since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Vietnamese Ambassador to Italy and Malta Duong Hai Hung has affirmed.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the nations celebrating their 50th diplomatic anniversary (January 14, 1974 – 2024), the diplomat listed numerous important cooperation pacts they have signed together, such as agreements involving visa exemption for diplomatic passport holders and double taxation avoidance, and a memorandum of understanding on international adoption-related administrative procedures. These have created legal frameworks for increasing bilateral collaboration, he noted.

Their joint works in many areas like economy, trade, investment, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchange, which remain modest now, are positively developing, said Hung.

According to him, Vietnam and Malta have great potential for cooperation based on a number of favourable factors.

First, both countries share
a traditional friendship, with Malta being one of the Western European countries that early recognised and established diplomatic relations with Vietnam.

Second, they are politically stable, with dynamic economic development, and strong recovery after the COVID-19 pandemic, plus great potential for sound development. Malta holds a strategic position as a hub for goods transit and a safe international payment system between Europe and Africa.

Its strengths in finance, banking, insurance, and international maritime are conducive to experience exchange and cooperation with Vietnam. Malta’s government and businesses highly value Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements, especially its large markets and economic position.

Third, the sides share many similarities in conditions and development orientations. They are maritime nations and members of regional blocs with high connectivity, namely ASEAN and the EU. They also attach importance to promoting international integration, connectivity, and international trade.

F
ourth, there are currently more favourable conditions to promote their effective ties as many cooperation frameworks have been or are being completed, such as the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA), the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), and the ASEAN-EU Air Transport Agreement (AE CATA).

Fifth, the two countries share concerns, stances, and interests on many international issues such as regional and global peace, multilateralism, international law and rule-based order, maritime security, and climate change. They have collaborated effectively on both bilateral and multilateral fronts via mechanisms such as the ASEAN-EU cooperation, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), and the United Nations General Assembly.

The ambassador recommended both sides continue to value and nurture the foundation of their bilateral cooperation, and enhance contacts and exchanges at all levels and channels, especially high-level ones through mutual visits and at multilateral forums. It is crucial to promote parliam
ent-to-parliament and people-to-people diplomacy, fostering close cooperation and mutual support at multilateral and international forums./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Bern: Swiss experts are optimistic about the success of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming working trip to attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) in Davos, Switzerland from January 16, saying that it is an opportunity for Vietnam to assert its contributions and role at multilateral forums.

Talking to the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) in Bern, former Deputy Prime Minister of Germany and first Honorary Consul of Vietnam in Switzerland Philipp Rösler said Vietnam has made significant contributions to multilateral forums in recent years.

He saw PM Chinh leading a high-level delegation, including numerous business representatives, to the WEF annual meeting in Davos, as a significant milestone.

Their engagements will be another triumph in Vietnam’s series of notable diplomatic events, showcasing the country’s strength in future-oriented economic plans, with a strong focus on sustainable growth and digitalisation across all sectors, from food and agriculture to manufacturing, servi
ces and digital solutions, he said.

Ivo Sieber, former Swiss Ambassador to Vietnam, expressed high expectations for the Vietnamese leader’s trip, saying that he will not only attend sessions but sideline meetings also.

He noted that over the 50 years since the establishment of formal relations, Vietnam and Switzerland have collaborated on various joint development projects and shared similarities. He cited Vietnam is a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term, while Switzerland held the presidency of this body last year.

Talking with the VNA at the launch of the Vietnam-Switzerland Economic Forum in Zurich city, former member of the Swiss People’s Party and the current Editor-in-Chief of the Swiss weekly Die Weltwoche Roger Köppel suggested that Vietnam should take advantage of platforms like the Davos meeting to showcase its achievements in recent years to the world.

For him, Vietnam is a model of cooperation and maintained balance, he said.

Meanwhile, Ewald Beivi, an off
icial responsible for relations and business development at the University of Zurich, believed that the WEF meeting in Davos presents a major opportunity for Vietnam to explore new ideas and stay abreast of emerging trends. Importantly, it is essential to go there to listen and connect, he added.

In Davos, PM Chinh is due to deliver speeches sharing Vietnam’s visions at key sessions, including a WEF Country Strategic Dialogue on Vietnam, a policy dialogue of Vietnam and a discussion with some ASEAN countries on promoting the role of global cooperation in ASEAN./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Quang Tri: An annual conference on border cooperation between Quang Tri and Laos’ Savannakhet province took place in the Vietnamese central province’s Dong Ha city on January 13.

The event saw the sides, which share a 108.476 km borderline, signing a minutes outlining their cooperation agenda for 2024. Accordingly, they will continue to effectively carry out communications efforts, persuading the public to comply with legal documents related to the Vietnam-Laos border.

Their agreement covers instructing border management forces and relevant agencies and localities to collaborate closely in experience exchanges and information sharing concerning military-security and border affairs. They will coordinate to combat, prevent, and promptly handle violations of border regulations, particularly illegal entries and exits.

Reports indicated that since the previous annual conference, Quang Tri’ border guard stations have cooperated with Savannakhet’s relevant forces in organising 20 joint patrols. In the 2021-2022 d
ry season, the provinces’ joint special task force found remains of nine Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives during various war periods in Laos.

In 2023 alone, the numbers of vehicles and passengers entering and exiting the provinces’ Lao Bao – Dansavan international border gate reached 206,339 and 513,669, up by 13.48% and 17.17% compared to 2022, respectively.

In his remarks, Ha Sy Dong, Vice Chairman of the Quang Tri People’s Committee stressed that important agreements signed at this event will serve as a foundation for fortifying the special friendship, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two provinces and the two countries in general./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Suphan Buri,, “Kanjana” explains the issue of the old ‘Nemo fish-shark mascot Bueng Chawak’ asking for openness and encouragement for the officials.

From the case of the viral clip of a clownfish mascot Bueng Chawak Chaloem Phrakiat Aquarium, Suphanburi, is in old condition and very faded. The uniform is rotting and the fins are already broken. Before there were many people coming to confirm that Bueng Chawak is really dilapidated at present. It looked very quiet and lonely, with no people at all, different from decades ago.

Most recently on January 14, 2024, Ms. Kanchana Silpa-archa, former leader of the Thai National Party. A clarification post via Facebook “NuNa Silpa-archa” states that she would like this space to help the officials in charge of Bueng Chawak Aquarium clarify the matter that some people on social media have posted that the mascot of Bueng Chawak is very old and some media have used it to expand the results…

The reality is There are many mascots of the aquarium. Also shared to help at
the Children’s Day event of Doem Bang Municipality. (They live together to help each other.) Almost all of them are in new condition..

But that social media person took it down Please choose the oldest one. Nemo fish and sharks..which is partly to blame here. The two old ones should not be taken out and used, they should be replaced.

He posted on January 11th.. On the 12th, the official changed immediately.. I would like to thank the person who posted this for their interest. But I would be more grateful if you would post about the things that this place has always done well.. The water is clear and clean in every aquarium, every tank, and many beautiful fish. The place was very well landscaped..

Aquarium zone I don’t go to see it as often as the zoo zone, which I go every month. Because he’s already doing good. But it’s not a zoo. Why is it bad? Just want to visit and talk with the animals. (I’m not home yet. But I really talked to every one of them. It’s just that no one talks and answers)..

In summary.
. the core part of the place is animal care, animal housing, animal welfare. He did a good job and many people commented and praised him..

As for you who posted about the old mascot and some media outlets that choose to sell results only on this issue We must thank him. It makes us come to fill in our small flaws..but if you would be more generous than this Say some nice things if it’s not too difficult. It will be good for you..

I would like to encourage all Bueng Chawak officials. Including an aquarium zone, a zoo, a local vegetable park, a resort that helps take care of everything according to Father Banharn’s intention to make it a tourist and educational destination for the general public at an affordable price…

and would like to invite Thai and international brothers and sisters Come visit Bueng Chawak.. Finished.. Thank you.

Source: Thai News Agency

Hanoi: Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Minh Hang has granted an interview to the press highlighting the significance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s upcoming trip to Davos, Switzerland to attend the 54th Annual Meeting of the World Economic Forum (WEF-54) and his official visits to Hungary and Romania from January 16-23.

Hang said the WEF-54, themed “Rebuilding Trust”, will take place from January 15-19, marking the largest gathering since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. With nearly 100 senior leaders from countries and international organisations, around 3,000 executives from global corporations and businesses, this year’s meeting will stand out as the world’s largest event to share ideas, engage in compelling discussions on the prospects of the world economy, explore new trends, and envision global development.

It will also encourage economic, trade and investment connectivity among nations and businesses, while pooling global collective strength, particularly through public-private part
nership, to generate new growth impetuses and address common challenges amid existing difficulties, risks and uncertainties, she said.

According to Hang, this will present a crucial moment for Vietnam to showcase its achievements, development directions and strategies, and foreign policies, delivering a message about a dynamic and innovative Vietnam as an attractive destination for global corporations.

PM Chinh’s attendance at the meeting, along with his sharings and proposals on the global development situation, solutions to stimulate growth and address emerging challenges, will further affirm Vietnam’s responsible and effective contributions to peace, development and common concerns, thereby enhancing the country’s position and reputation on the international stage, particularly within the global business community.

The meeting will also offer an opportunity for Vietnam to enhance exchanges and promote cooperation with Switzerland, other partners and international organisations across various sectors, es
pecially in economy, trade and investment in line with the foreign policy set by the 13th National Party Congress, she went on.

She revealed PM Chinh’s busy agenda at the meeting, including delivering speeches at major sessions, chairing dialogues with executives of global corporations, meeting bilaterally with leaders of countries, international organisations and businesses.

From the experience and lessons of Vietnam and ASEAN, Hang said the PM will propose both immediate and long-term solutions to strengthen international solidarity, rebuild trust, and promote cooperation among nations, between governments and businesses and partners.

Vietnam’s responsible contributions to addressing global challenges, particularly in areas of its strengths such as food security, smart agriculture, climate change adaptation and just energy transition, will also be highlighted.

The PM will share experience in macroeconomic management, and Vietnam’s readiness to attract investment, especially in priority areas such high t
echnology, research and development, green transition, digital transformation and circular economy.

Lastly, the Vietnamese delegation will engage in discussions and propose directions to leverage the potential, strengths and central role of ASEAN and Vietnam in promoting growth, consolidating trade and investment linkages, global supply and value chains. This aims to contribute to economic recovery and resilience of the global economy, she added.

According to the Deputy FM, at the invitations of Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán and Romanian Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu, immediately after attending the WEF annual meeting in Davos, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and his wife will pay official visits to Hungary and Romania from January 16-22. These are the first delegation exchanges at the Prime Minister level between Vietnam and Hungary in the past seven years and between Vietnam and Romania in five years.

She said Hungary and Romania were two of the first 10 countries in the world to recognize and est
ablish diplomatic relations with Vietnam after it gained independence. Looking back on the past over 70 years, the Governments and people of the two countries have always given Vietnam great affection and support in the past fight for independence and national reunification, as well as in innovation and socio-economic development at present.

During the COVID-19 pandemic when Vietnam was facing the most difficulties, Hungary and Romania were the first countries to provide Vietnam with hundreds of thousands of vaccine doses and medical equipment, helping the country overcome the epidemic soon and open the doors for economic recovery, she added.

Hungary and Romania have also actively supported Vietnam in the comprehensive partnership and cooperation between Vietnam and the European Union (EU), especially in the process of negotiating, signing and ratifying the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA). Romania has made every effort to hasten the signing
of the EVFTA on the last day of its rotating EU presidency. Hungary was the first EU member state to ratify the EVIPA.

‘On the foundation of traditional friendship spanning three-quarters of a century and in the context of a complex world situation, the PM visits play a very important role in continuing to consistently implement the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of foreign relations, especially with traditional partners and friends,’ Hang noted.

During the visits, PM Chinh will have talks, meetings, contacts, and working sessions with senior leaders of Hungary and Romania, as well as visit localities, universities, research centers, businesses, Vietnam’s friendship associations with Hungary and Romania, and the Vietnamese communities in the two nations.

The visits will contribute to further increasing political trust, strengthening the traditional friendship and mutual support between Vietnam and the two countries; bringing traditional areas of coope
ration such as economy, trade, labour, culture, education and human resource training to a new stage to meet the development requirements of each country; promoting collaboration in potential and strong fields such as science and technology, information and communication, pharmaceuticals and innovation; and further tightening the friendship between the people of Vietnam and those of Hungary and Romania./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency