Vietnam hopes to cultivate ties with Austria: Foreign Minister
Vietnam values and looks to strengthen friendship and cooperation with Austria, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son told his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg during their talks in Hanoi on April 17.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam values and looks to strengthenfriendship and cooperation with Austria, Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui ThanhSon told his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg during their talks in Hanoi on April17.
Schallenberg, who is on Vietnam visit from April 16-18 at theinvitation of Son, hailed Vietnam’s increasingly important role andposition in the region and the world. He affirmed that Austria expects toreinforce ties with Vietnam, its top partner in Southeast Asia.
The two ministers expressed theirdelight at the development of bilatera🍸l ties over the pastfive decades, especially in politics-diplomacy, economy-trade, developmentcooperation and cult൩ure.
Agreeing that there remains room to beef up bilateral ties,they agreed to facilitate all-level visits, especially those at high level viathe Party, State and people-to-people exchange channels. They vowed to step up cooperation between the two foreign ministriesand mutual support between the two countries at multilateral forums andinternational organisations such as the United Nations, the Asia-Europe Meetingand the ASEAN-EU cooperation framework. Minister Son lauded Austria for always being one of the top 10 tradepartners of Vietnam in Europe over the past years. Despite COVID-19, two-waytrade still hit 2.79 billion USD lastyear.
At the talks (Photo: VNA)
He suggested that both sides should workclosely together, fully and effectively tap the benefits of the Europe-VietnamFree Trade Agreement (EVFTA). He also encouraged Austrian businesses toincrease investments in Vietnam, particularly in areas of their strength suchas infrastructure, renewable energy, new technology and semiconductorproduction. Thehost proposed Austria soon complete the ratification of the EU-Vietnam InvestmentProtection Agreement (EVIPA) and push forward the European Commission (EC)’searly removal of yellow card warning on Vietnam’s aquatic products. HailingVietnam as a vibrant economy in Southeast Asia, Schallenbergwished for enhanced bilateral collaboration in green technology, transportation,health care and infrastructure. Healso took note of Son’s proposal regarding the early approval of theEVIPA by the Austrian Parliament and support for EC’s early lifting of theyellow card warning on seafood exports from Vietnam. Hostand guest discussed expanding joint cooperation in new areas like nationaldefence-security, labour, and vocational training. On the occasion, Son thanked the Austrian Governmentfor creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to settle down in the European country. TheAustrian minister promised to continue assisting the Vietnamese community in upholdingtheir role as a bridge for developing the friendship and cooperation betweenVietnam and Austria in the most effective manner. On regionaland global issues of shared concern, they underlined the importance of ensuringsecurity, safety and freedom of navigation and overflight in the East Sea, aswell as settling disputes through peaceful means in line with internationallaw, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention 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.
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.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (R) and his Austrian counterpart Alexander Schallenberg. (Photo: VNA) 
At the talks (Photo: VNA) 
