Vietnam hosts APEC for the second time (Source: VNA)
KhanhHoa (VNA) – After more than a decade, Vietnam once again plays a roleas the host of APEC Year, showing the international community’s trust in thecountry. Delegatesto the First APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1), being held in Nha Trang city,south central Khanh Hoa province from March 2-3, highly evaluated Vietnam’simportant role in the APEC cooperation and development process. TheRepublic of Korea’s Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs in charge of EconomicAffairs Lee Taeho said at this SOM1 the APEC member economies set out thetargets for the whole year and the common work through 2020. “Iappreciated Vietnam’s coordination in preparing the agenda for APEC 2017.Vietnam’s priorities, including promoting sustainable, innovative and inclusivegrowth, are in line with the APEC agenda. We have a good start in the lead upto the APEC Economic Leaders Week in November. I hope that under the leadershipof the Vietnamese Government, we will have a successful year,” he stressed. SalmanAl Farisi, Senior Advisor for Inter-Institutional Relations of the IndonesianMinistry of Foreign Affairs, hailed Vietnam’s significant contributions toAPEC. Vietnam has a lot of experience in economic development so the countrycontributed remarkably to APEC deliberations, he said. Accordingto the official, Vietnam has made great efforts in organising meetings of committeesand working groups, especially SOM1. The APEC economies, particularly thosewhich are also ASEAN members, are trying to ensure the success of SOM1. Someother delegates also believed that the APEC Vietnam 2017 would be successful, helpingAPEC to remain a major driver of global economic growth.-VNA
An APEC official said the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Forum should have a long-term vision and Vietnam has put forth various initiatives to help the forum keep its right track.
The first APEC Senior Officials Meeting (SOM1) kicked off in Nha Trang city, south central Khanh Hoa province, on March 2, with the attendance of delegates from 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum.
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.
Vietnam hosts APEC for the second time (Source: VNA) 
