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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