Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang. (Photo: VNA)Regarding the Association of Southeast Asian Nations(ASEAN)’s postponement of the ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Retreat, Hang saidCambodia had announced the suspension of the event, initially slated forJanuary 18 in Siem Reap, due to the Omicron variant, and the absence of someministers.
Cambodia is coordinating with other member countriesto hold the meeting in the time ahead, she said, affirming that Vietnam willcontinue its close coordination with Cambodia – ASEAN Chair 2022 – and other members in the organisation of the meeting.
Asked about Vietnam’s stance on the Myanmar situation,the spokesperson said as Myanmar’s neighbour and an ASEAN member, Vietnamwishes that Myanmar will soon stabilise its situation to continue with its nationalconstruction and development, for the sake of its people and making morecontributions to the ASEAN Community building.
In the spirit of solidarity and responsibility,Vietnam will closely coordinate with the ASEAN Chair 2022 and other membercountries of the bloc to push ahead with the five-point consensus, contributingto the ASEAN Community building, and for peace, stability, cooperation anddevelopment of the ten-member grouping, the spokesperson noted.
About foreign media’s reportingthat Vietnam is building up armed militia and self-defense forces at sea andthe concern over possible conflicts, Hang flatly rejected the information as entirely untrue.
She said Vietnam persistently pursues a defencepolicy of peace and self-defence, stressing that the operations of Vietnamese competentagencies completely abide by Vietnamese and international laws, especially the1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982 UNCLOS).
At the same time, Vietnam has always made efforts tocontribute to building an East Sea of peace, security and safety in line withthe convention.
“We call on countries in and outside the region to makeresponsible contributions to the goal,” she said.
As for negotiations to bring Vietnamese workers back toTaiwan (China), Hang told the press that the two sides are working to helpVietnamese labourers return to the market.
“We hope that Taiwan will facilitate the admission ofVietnamese workers,” the spokesperson said.
Hang cited statistics by the Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam (CAAV)as showing that from January 1 to 19, 2022, there were 17 repatriation flights carryingmore than 1,700 Vietnamese labourers back to Vietnam from Taiwan.
The CAAV is negotiating with partners to reopen routesto Australia and Europe, to facilitate the travel back home for Vietnamese citizens abroad, according to the spokesperson.
Responding to a query on the trial of the Vietnamese ringleader of a human trafficking ring behind the incident of 39 Vietnamese people found dead in a refrigerated truck in the UK, Hang said any violation of laws should be handled deservedly.
The Vietnamese Government also advocateslegal, safe and orderly migration, while resolutely fighting illegal migration,migrant smuggling and human trafficking.
Vietnam has stepped up cooperation with countries andorganisations, including Interpol, to prevent, detect, investigate and handle people-smugglingrings in line with the law.
Vietnam stands ready to coordinate with countries toquickly address related cases, ensuring legal and safe migration, for legitimaterights and interests of migrants, she said.
On this occasion, the spokesperson briefed reporterson achievements Vietnam recorded in external affairs in 2021, notably the unprecedented vaccine diplomacy campaign during the COVID-19 pandemic which has helped Vietnam becomeone of the countries with the highest vaccination coverage.
Vietnam also completed its non-permanent membership ofthe United Nations Security Council for 2020-2021, she added.
Vietnam has ratified the Regional ComprehensiveEconomic Partnership (RCEP), accelerated the implementation of signed free trade agreements (FTAs),and continued negotiating other FTAs, helping to raise the country’s exportrevenue to over 600 billion USD last year, she said./.
VNA
