Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam hosted a reception for the ambassadors of Germany, North Korea, Sweden, Argentina, and Algeria, who came to present their credentials at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi on Monday.
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Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (R) shakes hands with German Ambassador Helga Margarete Barth in Hanoi, August 12, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
German international high school to be established in Vietnam
Receiving German Ambassador Helga Margarete Barth, the Vietnamese leader affirmed that the Vietnamese state and government always treasure the strategic partnership with Germany, which is a key member of the European Union (EU) and has an important voice in the international arena.
Party chief and State President Lam appreciated the support from Germany for Vietnam over the past three decades as it has helped the Southeast Asian nation with socio-economic growth.
In particular, Germany considers Vietnam a global partner in its development cooperation strategy until 2030, focusing on energy, environment, and training.
The Vietnamese leader called on the German government and the EU to continue throwing their support behind the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in the East Vietnam Sea based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, to maintain peace, stability, freedom, security, and safety of maritime zones and overflight in the region.
He suggested both countries should continue exchanging delegations at all levels, effectively employing dialogue mechanisms and tapping the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
In addition, he expected Germany to quickly ratify the EU - Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement, hinting at close cooperation in the implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
The Vietnamese leader also welcomed German firms to Vietnam to invest in the manufacturing, transport, renewable energy, circular economy, and strategic infrastructure fields.
Party chief and President Lam hoped that the two nations would enhance the exchange of university students, boost the use of German in Vietnam and Vietnamese in Germany, and promote long-term cooperation in vocational training for highly-skilled human resources.
German Ambassador Barth expressed her delight at the progress in bilateral ties.
Also, she announced that Germany would build an international high school in Vietnam, stressing that the school would be a symbol of the two nations’ cooperation.
Next year, the two countries will celebrate 50 years of their diplomatic ties, so Germany is planning to work with the Vietnamese side to hold a wide range of events to mark the key milestone.
Barth underscored that during her term in Vietnam, she would concentrate on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the economy and culture, hoping to receive support from local authorities.
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Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (L) receives the credentials from North Korean Ambassador Ri Sung Guk, August 12, 2024. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
Vietnam is ready to make contributions to peace on Korean Peninsula
Speaking at a reception for North Korean Ambassador Ri Sung Guk, the Vietnamese leader had the envoy convey his greetings to North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.
Ambassador Ri expected to work with local authorities to roll out various activities in 2024 to mark the 60th anniversary of the Vietnam visit by former leader Kim Il Sung, and move toward the 75th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year.
Underlining that Vietnam always cherishes its traditional friendship with North Korea, the Vietnamese leader noted that the country wishes to collaborate more closely with North Korea to foster bilateral partnership in a bid to back peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
President Lam believed that North Korea would soon gain stability and peace, further thrive, move forward to socialism, and bring happiness and well-being to its people.
The Vietnamese head of state proposed the two sides continue cooperating closely with each other and bolster mutual support at international and regional forums amid ongoing global and regional uncertainties.
Vietnam is ready to make active contributions to peace, stability, cooperation, and development on the Korean Peninsula and in the Asia-Pacific region, he affirmed.
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Party General Secretary and State President To Lam (L, 5th), North Korean Ambassador Ri Sung Guk (L, 4th) and other officials. Photo: Vietnam News Agency |
Many Swedish firms desire to enter Vietnam
At a meeting with the Vietnamese leader, Swedish Ambassador Johan Ndisi noted that many major Swedish enterprises have invested in Vietnam, while others are exploring investment and cooperation opportunities across various sectors in the Southeast Asian nation.
Sweden aims to strengthen its partnership with Vietnam in areas such as innovation, sustainable development, climate change response, and the green transition -- fields in which it excels.
President Lam expressed his welcome to Swedish investors looking to enter the Vietnamese market, particularly in sectors like infrastructure, transportation, green transition, green technology, renewable energy, and sustainability.
The Vietnamese leader also received Argentine Ambassador Marcos Antonio Bednarski and Algerian Ambassador Sofiane Chaib on Monday morning.
President Lam proposed Argentina continue teaming up with Vietnam to promote the early launch of negotiations on the Vietnam - MERCOSUR free trade agreement.
Meanwhile, Algerian Ambassador Chaib affirmed that during his tenure in Vietnam, he would try to spur bilateral ties between the two nations.
He stated that with its dynamic policies, Algeria can act as a key gateway for Vietnam to expand its cooperation with the African market, expressing his hope that Vietnam and Algeria will cooperate well at international forums.
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