At the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group in Hanoi in 2018 (Photo: VNA)
Rome (VNA) – The eighth meeting ofthe Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group took place at the Vatican on August21-22.
The event was co-chaired by Deputy Foreign MinisterTo Anh Dung, head of the Vietnamese delegation, and Deputy Foreign MinisterAntoine Camilleri, head of the Vatican delegation.
At the meeting, the two sides discussed in depthabout the relations between Vietnam and Vatican, including issues related tothe Vietnam Catholic Church.
They recognised the positive development in thebilateral relations, especially the increasing regular exchanges between thetwo sides, as seen through the 7th meeting of the Vietnam-VaticanJoint Working Group in December 2018 in Hanoi and consultations between theVietnamese inter-sectoral working groups and the Vatican’s non-resident SpecialEnvoy Archbishop Marek Zalewski.
The Vietnamese side affirmed that the State ofVietnam has consistently implemented and continuously improved the policy ofrespecting and ensuring the freedom of belief and religion of people as well ascreating the best possible conditions for the Vietnamese Catholic community tooperate and develop.
The Vatican side appreciated the Vietnamese State’sattention to the Catholic Church and reiterated the hope that the VietnameseCatholic community will follow the motto of good Catholics being good citizensand make active contributions to the country’s development and prosperity,implement well the Church’s teachings, and abide by Vietnam’s law.
Discussing Catholic activities, the two sidesagreed on measures to promote the bilateral relations, focusing on perfectingthe operational regulations of the Vatican’s resident special envoy and theresident special envoy office in Vietnam so as to implement them as soon aspossible.
They agreed to uphold the spirit of dialoguebased on respecting the agreed principles and emphasised the need to increaseall-level delegation exchanges, especially at high level, in the coming time.
During their stay in Vatican, the Vietnamesedelegation paid courtesy calls to Pope Francis, Secretary of State CardinalPietro Parolin andForeign Minister Paul Gallagher.-VNA
The 5th meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group will be held from September 10-11 in Hanoi, aiming to enhance relations between the two sides, Foreign Ministry Vice-Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said on September 5.
The Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group held its fifth meeting in Hanoi on September 10-11, reaching a consensus that positive progress has been made on the Vietnam-Vatican relations.
Vietnam and the Vatican need to continue holding regular meetings between their leaders and actively prepare necessary conditions towards establishing diplomatic relations, concurred Politburo member and Vietnam Fatherland Front President (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan and the Vatican’s Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin.
Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on December 18 received a delegation from the Holy See, led by Under-Secretary for Relations with States Antoine Camilleri, who are in Vietnam to attend the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group.
Permanent Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and Under Secretary for the Holy See’s Relations with States Antoine Camilleri co-chaired the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group in Hanoi on December 19.
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 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.
At the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group in Hanoi in 2018 (Photo: VNA) 
