World media highlight US’s full removal of weapon embargo to Vietnam
Major press agencies around the world on May 23 carried stories about US President Barack Obama’s announcement of fully lifting the embargo on the sale of lethal weapons to Vietnam.
President Barack Obama (L) meets with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – Major press agencies around the world on May 23 carried stories about US President Barack Obama’s announcement of fully lifting the embargo on the sale of lethal🌱 weapons to Vietnam on the occasion of his ongoing visit to the Southeast Asian🔯 country.
The US’s AP quoted Obama in a joint press conference with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi as saying that the move aims to push the normalisation of relations between the two countries as well as remove “a lingering vestige of the Cold War.”
"At this stage, both sides have established a level of trust and cooperation, including between our militaries, that is reflective of common interests and mutual respect," said the US President.
Meanwhile, the French AFP cited the US President as saying the complete removal of the weapon embargo underscores the commitment of the US to a fully normalised relationship with Vietnam.
The move is highly symbolic of a shift in bilateral relations that have seen a surge in trade and cultural exchanges, the AFP said.
China’s Xinhua quoted Hua Chunying, spokesperson for the Chinese Foreign Ministry, as saying at a press conference in Beijing on May 23, that China welcomes normal relations between Vietnam and the US.
She said China hopes the improving Vietnam-US relations will benefit regional peace, stability and development, adding that the arms embargo was "a product of the Cold War" and should not continue to exist.
The US’s CNN channel describes the full removal of the weapons embargo to Vietnam as a move to deepen bilateral defence relations.-VNA
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong the visit made by President Barack Obama to Vietnam as a reaffirmation of the commitment of the two countries’ leaders to the bilateral comprehensive partnersh
President Tran Dai Quang and his US counterpart Barack Obama chaired an international press conference in Hanoi on May 23 to answer reporters’ queries on the outcomes of their talks.
President Tran Dai Quang and his US counterpart Barack Obama discussed measures to step up the two countries’ relations during their talks following an official welcome ceremony in Hanoi on May 23.
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.
Thirty years ago, on July 28, 1995, Vietnam’s accession to ASEAN marked a historic strategic decision, opening a new chapter in the country’s integration process and beginning its strong rise.
Ambassador Vu Le Thai Hoang has outlined specific priorities and proposals for cooperation with the UNODA in preparation for the upcoming 11th Review Conference of the Non-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons (NPT).
The Vietnamese Party leader's visit is therefore expected to mark a new stage in the development of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between the two countries, with a focus on such areas as digital transformation, supply chains, semiconductors, clean energy, and maritime security, Choe assessed.
At their meeting, which took place in the Angolan capital of Luanda on August 7 as part of State President Luong Cuong’s ongoing state visit to the African nation, the two officials also agreed to make full use of existing cooperation mechanisms, particularly the Vietnam – Angola Intergovernmental Committee, and step up exchanges of delegations at all levels.
President Luong Cuong's talks with his Angolan counterrpart João Manuel Gonçalves Lourenço, Vietnamese leader's receptions for a delegation from the Japan – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance, and the Government's regular meeting for July are among news highlights on August 7 evening.
President Barack Obama (L) meets with Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang (Photo: VNA)
