PM welcomes first visit to Vietnam by Austrian foreign minister
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the first visit to Vietnam by Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg during a reception for the latter in Hanoi on April 17.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg at the reception. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi(VNA)💛 – Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh welcomed the first visit to Vietnam byAustrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg during a reception for the latter in Hanoi on April 17.
PM Chinh hailed theoutcomes of the earlier talks between Schallenberg and Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, as well as a Vietnam-Austria cooperation forum with theparticipation of the two countries’ businesses the same day. In its foreignpolicy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisationof external ties, active and proactive global integration in a comprehensiveand extensive manner, Vietnam always values and wants to reinforce cooperativeties with Austria, an important partner of the European Union, he said. Schallenberg affirmedthat the Austrian Government always considers Vietnam a prioritised partner in theregion and looks to expand cooperation with the Southeast Asian country invarious areas. The PM thanked the Austrian Government and people for providing invaluablesupport for Vietnam in the process of national development and the past fight againstCOVID-19. He suggested both sides facilitate the exchange of delegations at alllevels, especially those at high level to raise mutual trust and mutualunderstanding, creating a driving force for all-around collaboration.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg. (Photo: VNA)
HailingAustria as one of the top 10 trading partners of Vietnam in Europe over the past years,the PM believed that the two countries' businesses will continue workingclosely together and tapping advantages brought about by the EU-Vietnam FreeTrade Agreement (EVFTA) to lift two-way trade to 4 billion USD in the comingyears. Hewished that Austria would create favourable conditions for Vietnam's products such as electronics, apparel, leather and footwear, agricultural andaquatic products to access the Austrian and EU markets. Onthe occasion, PM Chinh proposed the Austrian Government voice its support and callon the Austrian legislature to promptly ratify the EU-Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission (EC)’s earlyremoval of yellow card warning against Vietnamese seafood. TheVietnamese leader underlined the need to step up bilateral cooperation in areasthat both sides have strength and demand, such as sci-tech, infrastructure,labour, vocational training, digital transformation, circular economy and greentransition. The two countries hold great potential to expand cooperation in cultural, art and music exchange, and tourism. Heexpressed his wish that the Austrian Government would continue offering allpossible support to the Vietnamese community living and working in Austria,thereby contributing to the prosperity of Austria and acting as a bridge to propel the bilateral cooperation. Schallenberg, for his part, said Austria wants to further deepen its ties withVietnam in all spheres, adding that the Austrian Government and businesscommunity are interested in practical and effective cooperation with Vietnamese partners. He agreedthat both sides should step up labour cooperation by considering the signingof cooperation agreements between the two governments, carrying out trainingprojects between universities and on-the-job training at Austrian companies inVietnam, as well as developing the labour market which has great potential. The two sides vowed to support each other atmultilateral and regional forums. Regarding the East Sea issue, they shared theimportance of ensuring security, safety and freedom of navigation and overflightin the East Sea, as well as settling disputes through peaceful measures inaccordance with international law, especially the 1982 United NationsConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.
Economic partnerships are one of the highlights in Vietnam - Austria relations, and both have shown their determination to strongly advance these ties.
A special concert will be held at the Hanoi Opera House on November 26 night as part of the activities celebrating the 50th anniversary of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Austria.
The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) on November 26 hosted a ceremony to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam-Austria diplomatic relations (December 1, 1972 - 2022).
Ahead of Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg's official visit to Vietnam from April 16-18, the Austrian media simultaneously reported on the trip, expressing their expectations that it will boost the bilateral relations, especially economic ties.
Cheng stressed that this is third time PM Chinh has attended the meeting and he is among the few senior government officials participating in this year's event, which is considered as a rare and commendable gesture.
The fact that the Vietnamese PM has been invited to attend and speak at this important event for three consecutive years reflects the WEF as well as the international business community's recognition and high regard for Vietnam's position, role, and contributions to global and regional economic growth.
This new era marks a crucial phase in which the country must strive with determination to fulfil its strategic objectives, achieving breakthrough development at new levels of sophistication, quality, and global standing, laying the foundation for further growth. Era after era forms a continuous history of development, ascending steadily from one level to the next.
The resolution on such mechanisms aims to serve as a legal basis for opportunely dealing with difficulties and hindrances caused by legal regulations in important, priority, and urgent areas that require immediate settlement so as to unlock resources, facilitate economic development, and turn legislation into a competitive edge.
PM Pham Minh Chinh instructed chairpersons of the People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to strictly follow the Ministry of Finance's guidelines on handling public finances and budgets, with a focus on preventing wastefulness, misconduct, or corruption.
Knapper reaffirmed the US's commitment to supporting a strong, independent, prosperous and resilient Vietnam, while respecting each other’s territorial integrity, sovereignty, independence and political systems.
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.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (right) and Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg at the reception. (Photo: VNA) 
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (R) and Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg. (Photo: VNA) 
