Vietnam, Timor-Leste to maintain mutual support at regional, int’l forums
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh held talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno, via videoconferencing on January 12.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) at the online talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Deputy Prime Minister and ForeignMinister Pham Binh Minh held talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs andCooperation of Timor-Leste, Adaljiza AlbertinaXavier Reis Magno, via videoconferencing on January 12.
The Timor-Lester officialcongratulated Vietnam on its success in the 2020 ASEAN Chairmanship, especiallythe signing of the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), andthanked the country for promoting the organisation of two teleconferencesbetween representatives of the ASEAN Community’s economic and socio-culturalpillars and her country last year.
She emphasised thatTimor-Lester views joining ASEAN as one of the top priorities in its foreignpolicy.
The minister also appreciatedVietnam’s assistance when her country faced difficulties, including exportingrice to help Timor-Leste ensure domestic food security.
For his part, Minh expressedhis delight at the growth in bilateral trade despite the COVID-19 pandemic’simpact on the global economy, affirming that Vietnam is ready to assist andcooperate with Timor-Leste in the areas the latter has demand in such asagriculture, fisheries, and oil and gas.
The two sides should set upand implement mechanisms and concrete measures to tap into the huge cooperationpotential, he suggested.
The Deputy PM and FM askedTimor-Leste to soon ratify the bilateral trade agreement inked in 2013; sign abilateral investment protection agreement and another on visa exemption fordiplomatic and official passport holders; facilitate operations of Vietnamese enterprisesin Timor-Leste, including Viettel Telemor; and deal with emerging issues inline with laws and the spirit of the two countries’ sound cooperation.
The officials agreed to promote the two foreign ministries’role in strengthening multifaceted cooperation and soon establish a jointcommittee for bilateral cooperation to create a framework for fostering ties inthe fields matching their countries’ potential and demand like agriculture,fisheries, textile - garment, consumer goods, industrial machinery, electricaldevices, and oil and gas.
They also concurred in working together to effectivelyimplement the 2015 deal on cooperation in rice trading and create favourableconditions for Timor-Leste students to study in Vietnam.
Vietnam and Timor-Leste will continue with cooperation and mutual supportat regional and international organisations and forums, especially the UnitedNations, they added.
Deputy PM and FM Minh welcomed and voiced support forTimor-Leste’s aspiration for becoming a member of ASEAN./.
Timor Leste always appreciates the support of Vietnam for his country during the war time and in the last 20 years as well, Prime Minister of Timor Leste Taur Matan Ruak told the special envoy of Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Manh Hung.
Vietnam and ASEAN member countries would continuously support and share experience with Timor Leste in preparations for its admission to the bloc, as well as assessing the country’s capability and readiness.
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.
The ASEAN flag-hoisting ceremony is observed by the 10 ASEAN member countries on August 8 every year, aiming to spread and promote the ASEAN identity and affirm the determination to unite and cooperate for the common aspiration of long-term peace and prosperity of Southeast Asian countries under the common roof of the ASEAN Community.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Cuong highlighted ASEAN’s nearly six decades of development, during which the region transformed from division to harmony, from confrontation to cooperation, and from poverty to dynamic growth, becoming a global bright spot for regional cooperation.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (L) at the online talks with the Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Timor-Leste, Adaljiza Albertina Xavier Reis Magno (Photo: VNA) 
