Vietnam seeks stronger cooperation with Middle East nations
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieu on August 19 held an online meeting with nine resident and non-resident ambassadors and chargé d'affaires of Middle East countries to Vietnam.
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Hieuon August 19 held an online meeting with nine resident and non-resident ambassadors andchargé d'affaires of Middle East countries to Vietnam.
Speaking at the event, Hieu underscored the importance of maintainingregular communications channels and coordination to foster ties between Vietnam and the regionalcountries.
He highlighted encouraging results of cooperation between Vietnam andthe Middle East countries despite the COVID-19 pandemic, with nearly 7.3billion USD in two-way trade in the first half of this year, up 33.5 percentyear on year.
The two sides offered mutual support in the fight against the pandemic invarious forms, including sharing experience in COVID-19 prevention and control,providing medical supplies and discussing the possibility of cooperation invaccines and treatment.
The diplomats congratulated Vietnam on its political, diplomatic andsocio-economic achievements, as well as its successful organisation of the 13th National Party Congress and the election of deputies to the 15th National Assembly.
The diplomats affirmed that they have always attached importance to promoting multifaceted collaboration withVietnam and suggested measures to boost bilateral ties in the near future, suchas enhancing online meetings between ministries and agencies, sharinginformation and consultations regarding COVID-19 prevention and control,offering mutual support at multilateral forums and international organisations,upholding existing mechanisms and soon finalising negotiations to sign new deals and agreements, and organising activities toconnect businesses and promote trade and investment.
Concluding the meeting, Hieu applauded the practical and wholehearted opinions of the diplomats and affirmed that the Vietnamese Government andpeople treasure cooperative ties with Middle East nations, as well ashuge potential for bilateral cooperation, especially in politics-diplomacy, trade,investment, energy, science-technology, and labour.
He proposed both sides step up ♔measures in four priority fields,including politics-diplomacyꦇ, economy-trade, COVID-19 prevention and control, andperfecting the legal basis to further improve the efficiency of bilateral cooperation./.
President Tran Dai Quang and his Egyptian counterpart Abdel Fattah el-Sisi discussed measures to promote trade and investment between the two nations during their talks in Hanoi on September 6.
Vietnam and the Middle East hold potential to boost trade and investment, as heard the Vietnam – Middle East trade forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 11.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said Vietnam pays special attention to its relations with Middle East and African countries, which have progressed in various areas over the past years.
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.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
At the meeting (Photo: baoquocte.vn) 
