Nov 9, 2012

Vietnam - Foreign Ministry’s press briefing on different issues

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Vietnam hopes to integrate extensively and comprehensively with the world, focusing on international economic integration, said Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi.

Nghi made the statement at the Foreign Ministry’s press briefing on November 8 in response to reporters’question that in light of Vietnam’s high ratio of trade turnover with China, does the country want to increase trade ratio with other countries through expanding negotiations for free trade agreements (FTAs) with them.

The spokesperson cited that so far Vietnam has signed FTAs with many partners including the ASEAN as a whole, and joined the association’s FTA with six partners - namely Japan, the Republic of Korea (RoK), China, India, New Zealand and Australia.

Vietnam reached a FTA with Chile and an economic partnership agreement (EPA) with Japan. It is also negotiating FTAs with many other partners such as the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), the Russia-Kazakhstan-Belarus Customs Alliance, the European Union, the European Free Trade Association (EFTA) which includes Switzerland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Iceland), and the RoK.

Nghi highlighted that strengthening trade ties with other countries is one of the core basis that helps the country implement its socio-economic development strategy up until 2012.

*** Vietnam and China exchanged views on projects of priority cooperation in marine environmental protection, marine science research, search and rescue at sea, and natural disaster prevention at the second round of negotiations on less sensitive fields at sea in Hanoi on November 6-8.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi made the announcement at the press briefing on the same day.

The negotiations were in accordance with the common perception between the Vietnamese and Chinese high-ranking leaders and principles stipulated in the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of maritime issues signed on October 11, 2011, said Nghi.

The two sides agreed to assign expert teams to promptly conduct research and contribute preliminary opinions on these priority projects, which are scheduled for further discussions at the next round of negotiations in early 2013.

*** Leaders of the ASEAN member countries will discuss various issues, including those related to the maintenance of regional peace, stability and security during the 21st ASEAN Summit and related Summits.

Nghi said this while responding to reporters’ question whether Vietnam will raise the East Sea issue during the 21st ASEAN Summit and related Summit. 

He underscored that together with other member countries, Vietnam, as an active and responsible member of the ASEAN, will strive to maintain and consolidate the association’s spirit and operation principles, and at the same time exerting its efforts to further strengthen the central role of the grouping in the regional processes for peace, stability, security, cooperation and development in the region as well as the world at large.

*** Vietnam hopes Laos will continue its research on the environmental impacts and perfect the design of Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River.

Nghi said when answering a question about Vietnam’s viewpoint on the construction of Xayaburi dam in Laos.

Nghi added that he wishes Laos will work with Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in conducting an overall, careful and comprehensive research on cumulative impacts on the environment, economics and society that all hydro-power plants expected to be built on the mainstream of Mekong River would have.

He added that Vietnam expressed its viewpoint of taking the general management and sustainable development of the river into consideration while building hydro-power works on the Mekong River at its discussions with Laos and International Mekong River Commission member countries.

The fair and reasonable exploitation and use of natural resources, especially Mekong River water source, is of significance, and it is important to ensure the sustainable development of the Mekong River basin for the common benefits of riverside countries and locals living in the area, said Nghi.

VNN/VOV/VNA


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