I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. President Nguyen Xuan Phuc attends the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week (17 to 19 November 2022)

Following the official visit to Thailand, at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will lead the Vietnamese high-level delegation attending the 2022 APEC Economic Leaders’ Week from 17 to 19 November. This year’s APEC is of great significance. Under the theme “Open. Connect. Balance.”, this is the first year of APEC’s implementation of the Aotearoa Plan of Action on the APEC Putrajaya Vision 2040.

Since joining APEC in 1998, Viet Nam has been an active member, making responsible contributions to APEC’s areas of cooperation. In 2022 alone, Viet Nam proposed initiatives on circular economy, marine solid waste management, e-commerce, women empowerment, climate change response, and actively contributed to the implementation of the Aotearoa Plan of Action.

As part of the Summit, President Nguyen Xuan Phuc will attend and deliver remarks at retreat sessions of the 29^th APEC, join other APEC leaders in Dialogue session with guests and business communities, deliver a keynote speech at the APEC CEO Summit, hold bilateral meetings with country leaders and international organizations attending the Summit.

2. President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue pays an official visit to Cambodia and attends the AIPA General Assembly from 19 to 22 November 2022

At the invitation of the President of the Cambodian National Assembly and AIPA Chair, Samdech Heng Samrin, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of Cambodia and attend the 43rd Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-43) from 19 to 22 November 2022.

This is the first visit to Cambodia by President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue as the head of the National Assembly of Viet Nam. The visit also marks the successful conclusion of a series of high-level delegation exchanges in the “Viet Nam - Cambodia, Cambodia - Viet Nam Friendship Year 2022”, commemorating the 55th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations (1967 - 2022).

During the visit, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to hold talks with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin, hold an audience with King Norodom Sihamoni, meet with Prime Minister Hun Sen and President of the Senate Say Chhum, attend a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements between the two National Assemblies, among other important activities.

Under the theme “Advancing Together for Sustainable, Inclusive and Resilient ASEAN”, AIPA-43 will discuss measures to build an even, strong and inclusive ASEAN Community, contributing to economic recovery, narrowing the development gap, economic connectivity, developing human resources, social welfare, increasing women and youth participation in the building and maintenance of peace and development, enhancing people-to-people exchange.

Since becoming an official member of AIPA in 1995, the National Assembly of Viet Nam has been an active participant, contributing responsibly along with member Parliaments to strengthen the centrality, solidarity and unity within AIPA, expand the multifaceted ties with Parliaments of countries within and outside the region, while at the same time proposing a number of valuable initiatives to assist governments of ASEAN countries in resolving priority issues of the region.

Attending AIPA-43, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to deliver important remarks at the opening ceremony, and hold a number of bilateral meetings with heads of delegation and parliaments of other countries.

3. President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue pays an official visit to the Philippines from 23 to 25 November 2022

At the invitation of Senate President of the Philippines Juan Miguel Zubiri, President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue will pay an official visit to the Philippines from 23 to 25 November 2022. This is the first visit to the Philippines by a Vietnamese key leader in 2022, and the first by the Vietnamese President of the National Assembly in 16 years.

The visit takes place as the Viet Nam - Philippines Strategic Partnership has continued to flourish in all areas. Both sides have effectively maintained exchanges at the high level and all levels, and cooperation in areas such as economy, defense and security, maritime cooperation, education, tourism, and people-to-people exchange.

President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue is expected to hold talks with Speaker of the House of Representatives Martin Romualdez, Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri, attend a signing ceremony of cooperation agreements between the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the House of Representatives of the Philippines, attend the Economic Cooperation Forum, meet with representatives of a number of Filipino businesses, among other activities.

4. Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan attends the 18^th Francophonie Summit in Tunisia (from 19 to 20 November 2022)

At the invitation of President of the Republic of Tunisia, Kais Saied, Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will lead the Vietnamese high-level delegation to attend the 18^th Francophonie Summit in Djerba, Tunisia, from 19 to 20 November 2022.

 Recently, Viet Nam has participated fully, actively and substantively in most priority areas of the Francophonie. It has served as a key member in the Asia - Pacific region, with an important voice in the decision and implementation of the Francophonie’s cooperation strategy. With the theme “"Connectivity in Diversity – the Digital Technology, a Vector of Development and Solidarity in the French-speaking World,” at the 18^th Francophonie Summit, Viet Nam along with other member countries will focus on discussing the economic and political situation in the world, and within the Francophonie sphere.

Vice President Vo Thi Anh Xuan will attend the opening ceremony and deliver remarks at the sessions of the 18th Francophonie Summit, hold bilateral meetings with leaders and heads of delegations of countries participating in the Summit.

II. Q&A

1. Soha: As part of the 40^th and 41^st ASEAN Summits and related Summits, leaders of ASEAN and China have adopted the Joint Statement on the 20^th anniversary of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC). At the same time, recently, ASEAN and China made progress in the negotiations for the Code of Conduct (COC). What is Viet Nam’s comment on this?

As part of the 25^th ASEAN - China Summit, leaders of ASEAN and China have discussed measures to further enhance the ASEAN - China Comprehensive Strategic Partnership sustainably in a number of areas, actively and effectively contributing to cooperation, peace, stability and prosperity of the region and the world. At the Summit, both sides have also adopted the Joint Statement on the occasion of the 20^th anniversary of the Declaration of Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC), wherein the significance and importance of this document in maintaining peace, security and stability in the South China Sea is reiterated.

In addition, as I have previously announced, ASEAN and China have completed the first reading and are now in the process of the second reading of the single draft negotiating the text of the Code of Conduct. This demonstrates both sides’ desire to soon sign an effective, substantive Code of Conduct in accordance with international law, particularly the 1982 UNCLOS, contributing to the maintenance of peace, security and stability in the region, creating a favorable environment for the peaceful resolution of disputes in the South China Sea.

2. Soha: Recently, Viet Nam and the US have stated that they would be closely cooperating to prepare for the telephone conversation between General-Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and US President Joe Biden, and will arrange a high-level visit at a suitable time and when conditions allow. Can you provide more information on these upcoming events?

It can be said that in the 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, Viet Nam - US ties have witnessed positive growth in all areas, including the maintenance of high-level exchanges of delegations in flexible formats, be it online or in-person.

High-level exchanges or visits by both sides will be informed to you at a suitable time.

3. Tuoi Tre: Can you provide an update on the “repatriation” of Emperor Bao Dai’s royal seal?

I would like to provide some additional information as follows: As for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, recently, under the timely instruction of the Government, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Viet Nam in France, the Viet Nam Permanent Delegation to the UNESCO, through all channels, including exchanges of letters, official diplomatic notes, meetings with the Advisor of the President of France, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Culture of France, UNESCO leaders and other relevant specialized agencies, requested for intervention to cease the auction of the golden royal seal and hand over the ownership to Viet Nam.

In the time to come, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will instruct Vietnamese representative agencies in France and UNESCO to work closely with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and relevant agencies to carry out the plan the bring the golden royal seal back to Viet Nam as soon as possible in accordance with Vietnamese and French laws.