Vietnam, Italy hold 4th political consultation

At the event (Photo: VNA)– Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Ha Kim Ngoc and Italian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano on June 8 co-chaired the 4th political consultation within the framework of the two nations’ strategic partnership Lauding significant progresses recorded in the relations over the past time, particularly in politics-diplomacy, economy, and science-technology, both officials agreed to further strengthen the bilateral cooperation in such new spheres as health, environment, climate change response, and renewable energy.Ngoc stated Vietnam values and wants to beef up its strategic partnership with Italy, commending the sides’ sound collaboration in implementing their plan of action for the partnership for 2021-2023.He suggested Italy soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) and support the European Commission in removing its ‘yellow card’ warning against illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing for Vietnamese seafood.In response, the Italian deputy minister said Italy considers Vietnam a top priority cooperation partner in the region and looks for more joint works in the fields of innovation, aerospace, hydrogen energy, and cybercrime prevention and control.He also praised the countries’ mutual support during the COVID-19 pandemic, with Vietnam presenting Italy over 300,000 face masks and Italy aiding Vietnam nearly 3 million doses of COVID-19 vaccine.The sides agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations, continue implementing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and work toward the realisation of two-way trade at 6 billion USD in 2022 and 10 billion USD in the following years.They said they will work together in information exchange and support each other at international and multilateral forums.They also emphasised the importance of ensuring the freedom of navigation, overflight, security and peace in the East Sea and of respecting international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS)./.

June 08, 2022 15:03 UTC


Vietnam, India agree to foster defence partnership

At a welcome ceremony for Indian Defence Minister Rajnath Singh in Hanoi (Photo: VNA)An overview of the meeting (Photo: VNA)Concluding the talks, the two ministers signed a statement on Vietnam-India defence partnership joint vision towards 2030 and a memorandum of understanding on mutual support in logistics between the two ministries (Photo: VNA)– Minister of National Defence, General Phan Van Giang and his visiting Indian counterpart Rajnath Singh agreed on future cooperation orientations between the two ministries during their talks in Hanoi on June 8.On the foundation of the Vietnam-India Joint Vision Statement for Peace, Prosperity and People released in December 2020, the two sides concurred to strengthen collaboration to fully and effectively implement signed agreements, focusing on increasing contacts and exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially high ones.They will maintain and enhance the efficiency of dialogue and consultation mechanisms, especially the defence policy consultation at the deputy defence minister level, while fostering partnership in personnel training and cooperation among armed forces as well as coordination in participation in United Nations peacekeeping operations. They also agreed to strengthen coordination and consultations at multilateral forums.General Giang underlined the significance of the visit as Vietnam and India are celebrating the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic relations, expressing his belief that it will contribute to promoting the friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries and the two ministries in particular.He thanked the Indian side for supporting Vietnam, especially in personnel training and providing credit packages and assistance to the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence.For his part, Singh affirmed India considers Vietnam as a key partner in its Act East Policy, underlining that he hopes the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries will continue to thrive and expand to all fields such as politics, defence, security, trade, culture and people-to-people exchange.Regarding regional and global issues of shared concern, both sides held that peace, cooperation and development remain the major trend in the world. However, they showed concern at the complicated developments in the world and regional political and security situation with both traditional and non-traditional security challenges, along with impacts from the COVID-19 pandemic across the globe. Risks of instability are still latent in the security environment in the world and the Asia-Pacific region, they added.The two sides shared their views on the significance of maintaining peace, stability, maritime and aviation security, safety and freedom in the East Sea, as well as the settlement of disputes through peaceful measures in line with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), along with the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the reaching of an efficient and substantial Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) that is suitable to international law.On the occasion, General Giang invited leaders of the Ministry of Defence of India and Indian military industrial firms to attend the International Defence Exhibition that is slated for late 2022.Concluding the talks, the two ministers signed a statement on Vietnam-India defence partnership joint vision towards 2030 and a memorandum of understanding on mutual support in logistics between the two ministries./.

June 08, 2022 09:01 UTC


Minister of Foreign Affairs suggests Vietnam, Italy expand cooperation

Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son (right) and Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano (Photo: VNA)Vietnam and Italy should step up cooperation in trade and investment, while expanding their collaboration in other fields, Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son said on June 7.At a reception for Italian Undersecretary of State for Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Manlio Di Stefano in Hanoi, Son suggested the two countries consider expanding their partnerships in climate change response, infrastructure, agriculture, food security and personnel training.Vietnam attaches importance to promoting its strategic partnership with Italy, he said, expressing his delight at the progress of the relationship over the past time.He called on Italy to help Vietnam access finance and technologies to fulfill its commitments at the 26th United Nations Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26) in Glasgow, the UK, last year.The minister also suggested Italy coordinate with Vietnam in the implementation of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and push for the ratification of the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA), for the sake of their businesses.Stefano, in reply, lauded the close cooperation between the two countries even amid the COVID-19 pandemic, especially in the maintenance of exchanges by senior leaders and cooperation programmes.Briefing the host on the outcomes of the seventh meeting of the Vietnam-Italy joint committee for economic cooperation, he affirmed that economic cooperation remains a priority in the bilateral ties.The Italian side also committed to increasing trade and investment activities in Vietnam – its leading important partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).The two sides agreed to effectively roll out an action programme to implement the strategic partnership for 2021-2023, and coordinate to organise activities marking the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic relations, and the 10th anniversary of the strategic partnership in 2023, including the exchange of high-ranking delegations and cooperation programmes between ministries, agencies and localities of the two countries.Stefano thanked Vietnam for backing Italy to become a development partner of ASEAN, commended Vietnam’s contributions to the bloc, and suggested the country further support Italy to increase its presence in the region and promote cooperation projects with ASEAN on sustainable development, space and environment./.

June 07, 2022 21:20 UTC


Poor urban development cause of flooding, congestion in HCM City: experts

Nguyen Huu Canh Street in HCM City’s Binh Thanh district is flooded after heavy rains recently. (Photo: VNA)- Experts have called on Ho Chi Minh City to improve urban planning to mitigate pressing problems like flooding and traffic congestion.“Poorly planned urban development” is to blame for the many problems faced by the country’s largest city, they said.Urban development can change the environment through, for example, expanding paved areas and preventing rainwater from being absorbed by the soil, increasing flooding, especially in low-lying areas, they pointed out.Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son said the growing concentration of people and construction works are among the causes of the city’s congestion and flooding.“The city has focused too much urban development in its inner areas,” he said.It needs to develop clusters of urban areas instead of focusing too much on the downtown, he said.“The lack of green spaces and water bodies is another cause.”For instance, poor solid-waste management could block rainwater and sewage drains, leading to waterlogging and flooding, he said.The city should reduce the density of social infrastructure in its central areas and increase green spaces and water bodies there, he said.He also said underground spaces in the central area require reservoirs to store rainwater to prevent flooding.Dr Ho Long Phi said it is important to improve the capacity of the sewer system, create reservoirs to store rainwater and dredge canals to keep tides low.“But the cost of anti-flood works is so high that the city cannot afford it and it requires private investment.”The poor regulation of construction of apartment buildings and inadequate waste management could be another reason for flooding, he said.It should be made mandatory for property developers to increase green spaces and water surface areas to increase water storage and drainage capacity to prevent flooding, he added.Major traffic worksAn official from the city Department of Transport said work on major traffic works would be sped up to address congestion, including Ring Roads 2, 3 and 4, and metro line Nos 1 and 2.It would soon open the HCM City – Moc Bai Expressway, expand the HCM City - Trung Luong and HCM City - Long Thanh – Dau Giay expressways and build the HCM City – Thu Dau Mot - Chon Thanh Highway, he said.It would widen National Highways 1, 50 and 13 and build a number of new bridges such as Rach Doi, Thu Thiem 3 and 4, inh Quoi, Can Gio, Phu Xuan 2B, Cat Lai, and Truong Phuoc, he added.To address flooding, the city plans to soon begin work on the third phase of a project to improve the Ben Nghe - Tau Hu - Doi - Te Canal water environment, improve the drainage and wastewater networks and begin climate change mitigation works in the west.It will renovate seven main drainage systems at canals such as Ba Tieng, Xom Cui, Ba Lon, Thu Dao, Ong Be, and Thay Tieu.It will also speed up the first phase of a 10 trillion VND project to tackle flooding caused by high tides./.

June 07, 2022 12:17 UTC


Change in thinking needed in agricultural production: Minister

At the session (Photo: VNA)- Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Le Minh Hoan said that it is necessary for the nation to shift from agricultural production to an agricultural economy This is a strategy for the sustainable development of the sector, Hoan said during the question-and-answer session with the legislators on June 7, as part of the ongoing third session of the National Assembly.The topics of discussion included agricultural production, trade policies and frameworks, and negotiation and market development for these products.Acknowledging that the export value of the sector reached a record 48.6 billion USD in 2021, he hoped that the entire country could participate in the collective economy and restructure the market and production process, contributing to a shift in thinking and positioning the brand of Vietnam’s produce on the global stage.Answering questions about export congestion at the border gate between Vietnam and China, the minister said the authorities had taken actions to minimise losses for farmers. However, the situation was inevitable due to the differences in pandemic control between the two countries.Hoan also confirmed that the Chinese market was shifting towards stricter regulations and standards in food safety. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) was working with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to develop a project on obtaining official quotas for this market.The MARD also took responsibility for its shortcomings in regulating and standardising agricultural produce, said Hoan. The minister was now assigning research institutes to create frameworks for agricultural production to reduce input costs.“Countries around the world are aiming their agricultural sector towards ‘less for more’, which means optimising expenses and maximising profits through agricultural science, and we too must strive towards this direction,” said Hoan.In regard to the application of advanced technology in the sector, the minister said that there had been policies and plans in place for hi-tech agricultural zones, businesses and products. However, they had not been as effective as expected due to a shortcoming in resources.He also added that in a connected economy, in addition to accumulating land for better production areas, it was necessary to have ‘soft’ strategies for agricultural land that fit the local conditions, in which the government and society join hands to invest and develop hi-tech agricultural zones.The MARD also believes that the sustainable development strategy for fisheries is to reduce exploitation and increase cultivation, as the reserves are no longer as abundant as before.In response to questions on the low purchase prices for farmers despite the high price tags abroad, Hoan explained that agricultural exports must take into consideration the huge expenses of transportation and logistics.He added: “If we want to build a brand of our products abroad, then we must build the brand in the domestic market first.“Confidence in agricultural products in the country will be the basis for export to the world.”Taking the leaders of Bac Giang, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and other provinces as examples of their efforts to promote their local produce, Hoan said that these localities had been able to find a market despite the COVID-19 outbreak last year.The question-and-answer session will continue with other ministers and the state bank governor until June 9./.

June 07, 2022 12:01 UTC


PetroVietnam surpasses oil exploitation plan by 22 percent in January-May

Illustrative image (Source: VNA)– The Vietnam Oil and Gas Group PetroVietnam ) pumped 4.55 million tonnes of crude oil in the first five months of 2022, surpassing the plan by 22 percent, contributing to ensuring national energy security and national development.In the period, the group faced numerous difficulties as the Russia-Ukraine conflict has prolonged for more than 100 days, causing disruption to supply chains, pushing up prices of power and materials, as well as transport and production costs.Besides, existing oil and gas mines have seen big reductions in output while the exploitation of new ones is hindered by regulations.In such difficult circumstances, PetroVietnam has undertaken a range of measures to maintain output and stable operation, including technical solutions to increase output.Along with crude oil, the production of other products such as gas, electricity, nitrogen fertilizer and petrol and oil has also been kept at high levels, meeting market’s demand. Petrol and oil output, excluding that of the Nghi Son Refinery, totaled 2.79 million tonnes in the five-month period, exceeding the five-month target by 8 percent and achieving 46 percent of the yearly plan. The output rose 20 percent from the same period last year.The group also turned out 776,400 tonnes of nitrogen fertilizer, up 20 percent year on year and meeting 46 percent of the yearly plan.As a result, PetroVietnam earned an estimated 372.2 trillion VND (16.05 billion USD) in revenues in the five-month period, surpassing the five-month revenue plan by 63 percent, and up 58 percent from the same period last year.The group contributed 52.8 trillion VND to the State budget, up 59 percent year on year.At the same time, PetroVietnam continued to boost international cooperation with foreign partners in oil and gas exploitation, energy transition, digital transformation and technology.At a recent conference of the group, President and CEO Le Manh Hung required subsidiaries to continue with efforts to ensure safe and effective production, and keep close monitoring of the international market and macro-economic situation in order to make accurate forecast serving production-business management in June and the remaining months of the year.He added that besides the group’s own efforts, it is necessary to improve the institutions, including the Law on Oil and Gas and related legal documents, to facilitate investment, production and business activities in the oil and gas sector./.

June 07, 2022 09:28 UTC


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