Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Foreign Minister HaKim Ngoc and an interdisciplinary delegation made a working visit to theVatican on August 23-24.
At meetings with Vatican officials, both sides discussed the Vietnam-Vaticanrelations, including issues related to the Vietnam Catholic Church, in a frankand constructive manner.
Ngoc affirmed that Vietnam pursues a consistent policyof respecting and ensuring the freedom to beliefs and religions of allcitizens, while working hard to complete its legal framework on beliefs andreligions.
Vietnam encourages and continues creating optimalconditions for the Vietnam Catholic Church to actively engage in nationalconstruction, he said, adding that the country always pays attention to the demandsof the church.
The Vatican agreed that the Vietnam Catholic Churchshould continue realising teachings of the Pope on “good Catholics, goodcitizens” and the church’s spirit of living the gospel amid the nation.
The Vatican also pledged to pay attention to strengtheningthe bilateral ties, and wished that the Vietnamese Catholic community wouldcontinue having positive contributions to society and abiding by the country’slegal regulations.
The two sides also recognised encouraging progress inthe Vietnam-Vatican relations over the past years with regular meetings anddialogues to promote mutual understanding.
They agreed to continue having goodwill andconstructive talks to deal with existing problems.-VNA
President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse will pay a State-level visit to Italy from November 21-24 at the invitation of his Italian counterpart Sergio Mattarella.
Pope Francis has welcomed and spoken highly of President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to the Vatican, considering it an occasion for Vietnam and the Vatican to enhance mutual understanding, thereby fostering bilateral ties.
Pope Francis has welcomed and spoken highly of President Tran Dai Quang’s visit to the Vatican, considering it an occasion for Vietnam and the Vatican to enhance mutual understanding.
The International Religious Freedom Report for 2016 recently released by the US Department of State again does not reflect correctly the real religion and belief situation in Vietnam as well as the country’s achievements in ensuring the right to freedom of religion.
Vietnam is deeply concerned about the escalating and complex conflict in the Middle East, which poses a serious threat to the lives and safety of civilians, as well as to regional and global peace and stability.
The Vietnamese Embassy advises the Vietnamese community living, studying, and working in Israel to strictly comply with directions from the Home Front Command and local authorities.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Deputy Foreign Minister Ha Kim Ngoc (Photo: VNA) 
