Opinion
President has a separate meetings with incoming ambassadors
President Tran Dai Quang received the newly-accredited ambassadors from India, the Republic of Korea (RoK), Saint Kitts and Nevis, the Federated States of Micronesia, Latvia and Guinea-Bissau, who presented their credentials to the Vietnamese State leader in Hanoi on June 9.
President Tran Dai Quang (R) and Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish.
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The RoK is Vietnam’s biggest investor, second largest ODA supplier and third largest trade partner, the President noted, adding that the bilateral free trade agreement which took effective on December 20, 2015.
The re-signing of the regular memorandum of understanding on labour cooperation on May 17, 2016 will help boost their cooperation, especially in promising areas like economy, trade, investment and employment, he added.
The President took the occasion to ask the ambassador to convey his invitation to RoK President Park Geun-hye to pay an official visit to Vietnam.
For his part, Lee Hyuk promised to make all-out efforts to contribute to strengthening the strategic partnership, emphasising that Vietnam is one of the priorities in his country’s ODA policy.
During a receotion for Indian Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish, the State leader expressed his hope that the smbassador will exert great efforts to cooperate with the Vietnamese side in order to advance deeper and wider the Vietnam-India relationship.
Speaking highly of the official visit to Vietnam by Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi slated for next September, the diplomat said the trip is significant and meaningful as it will take place in the context that the two countries are gearing towards the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership in 2017.
The President asked the ambassador to convey his invitation to Indian President Mukherjee to pay an official visit to Vietnam.
Welcoming Ambassador of Saint Kitts and Nevis Kevin M. Issac, President Tran Dai Quang noted with pleasure the active developments of bilateral ties in recent years, especially the establishment of diplomatic ties in November 1, 2013.
He thanked the Saint Kitts and Nevis Government for its support for Vietnam’s efforts to run for seats in international agencies and organisations, as well as the country’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy mechanism in April 2015.
Ambassador Kevin M. Issac said Saint Kitts and Nevis attaches importance to boosting the partnership with Vietnam and wishes to become the country’s good partner.
The diplomat vowed to help Caribbean countries to seek cooperation opportunities in Vietnam during his tenure, and affirmed that Saint Kitts and Nevis backs Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2020-2021.
Meeting with Ambassador of the Federated States of Micronesia Carlson D. Apis, the President suggested the two countries support each other at regional and international forums and organisations, especially the UN.
President Quang called on Micronesia to support Vietnam to run for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for 2020-2021 and a seat in the International Law Commission for 2017-2021, saying Vietnam backs Micronesia and other island countries in the South Pacific to set up partnerships with ASEAN.
Carlson D. Apis said Micronesia and Vietnam have coordinated well at the UN and multilateral forums on issues regarding the environment and rising sea levels.
The Ambassador added that Micronesia wants to seek new cooperation opportunities in the Southeast Asian nation.
Receiving Ambassador of Latvia Maris Selga, President Tran Dai Quang called on the two countries to pay more attention to the exchange of delegations and collaboration in trade and investment as their cooperation outcomes have yet to match their potential and advantages.
The President called on Latvia to continue supporting Vietnam to promote its relations with the EU, including the early signing and approval of the Vietanm-EU free trade agreement.
The ambassador was required to convey President Tran Dai Quang’s invitation to Latvian President Raimonds Vejonis to pay an official visit to Vietnam.
At the reception for Ambassador of Guinea-Bissau Malam Sambu, the President urged the two countries to step up the exchange of all-level delegations, especially those at a high level, to create an impulse for bilateral ties.
President Quang invited Guinea-Bissau President Jose Mario Vaz to pay an official visit to Vietnam at a suitable time.
Ambassador Malam Sambu announced his country is planning to open an honorary Consulate in Vietnam.
