Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (C) attends EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hangattended the second EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum in Stockholm onMay 13.
Speaking at the event, Hang said that the global economy isat a crucial turning point, from quantity-based to quality-based growth, andfrom a resources-based to a knowledge-based economy.
In the process of cooperation in transition and dealing withglobal challenges, with the three keywords of “cooperation, coordination andconnectivity”, countries need to have a suitable approach so as to overcomedifferences, meet the needs of the parties, and create a favourable environment forbusinesses and people, stressed Hang.
From Vietnam's experience in economic development and internationalintegration, she highlighted three “balance” factors that need to be ensured, namely between obligations and capabilities; betweenself-reliance, and openness, economic integration and linkages; and between transformation and stability, she said, adding that the process ofgreen and digital transformation must ensure financial sustainability andsocial stability, energy security and food security.
The official affirmed that Vietnam appreciates European partners’ financial commitments on climate change andhopes for their continued support to achieve the net zero emission target.
She also reaffirmed Vietnam’s commitments to the Asia-EuropePartnership, and called on countries to coordinate in resuming activities ofthe Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) for peace, cooperation and development.
The ministerial forum, co-chaired by Swedish ForeignMinister Tobias Billstrom and High Representative of the European Union for ForeignAffairs and Security Policy Josep Borrell Fontelles, offered a chance forforeign ministers of European countries and those in the Asia-Pacific region toshare opinions on and assess opportunities, challenges and prospects forcooperation, and propose initiatives and solutions to enhance connectivity andpromote coordination in addressing common issues.
Josep Borrell expressed his hope that the forum will becomea regular channel of dialogue connecting European and Indo-Pacific countries.
Delegates shared concerns over complex and multi-dimensionalsecurity challenges affecting the two regions, affirmed commitments tointernational order based on international law, and agreed to strengthen cooperationin response to common challenges to ensure regional security and facilitatedevelopment.
They highlighted the importance of maritime securitycooperation, and ensuring freedom of navigation and aviation in accordance withthe 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) in the watersof the Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean, including the East China Sea and theEast Sea./.
The European Union (EU) considers Vietnam one of its most important partners in the Indo-Pacific region, said Josep Borrell, High Representative of the EU for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, and Vice-President of the European Commission (EC).
Japan will take the lead in supporting the mainstreaming of the ASEAN Outlook on the Indo-Pacific (AOIP), affirmed Foreign Minister Hayashi Yoshimasa in a video message sent to the Commemorative Symposium for the 50th Year of ASEAN-Japan Friendship and Cooperation held in Indonesia on February 13.
The Ambassador of Canada to Indonesia, Nadia Burger, said Canada shares the same vision as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on promoting peace, resilience, and security in the Indo-Pacific region.
Economic diplomacy should maintain and create more economic cooperation frameworks, including investment and trade agreements, between Vietnam and the US, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Nguyen Quoc Dung has said.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (C) attends EU Indo-Pacific Ministerial Forum (Photo: VNA) 
