At the Ministry of Foreign Affairs's regular press briefing on 22nd November 2007, Mr. Le Dzung, Spokesman of the MOFA informed the participants of the following diplomatic activities:

1/ President Nguyen Minh Triet to pay a state visit to Japan (25-29 November, 2007)

President Nguyen Minh Triet and Madam will pay a state visit to Japan from 25-29 November 2007. This is the first visit of a Vietnamese Head of State to Japan since the two countries set up diplomatic relations on September 21, 1973.

The visit to Japan by the State President of Vietnam is an important event, opening up a higher development stage in the Vietnam - Japan friendship and cooperation. The visit will produce a new momentum for stronger political foundation and mutual trust enhancement between the two countries to meet the common goal of developing the Vietnam-Japan relations “Towards Strategic Partnership for Peace and Prosperity in Asia”, further expanding areas of cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment and development assistance.

During President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit, His Imperial Majesty Emperor of Japan Akihito and Her Imperial Majesty Empress Michiko will receive President Nguyen Minh Triet and Madam and organize a solemn State Banquet in their honour in the Imperial House of Japan. President Nguyen Minh Triet will hold talks with Japanese Prime Minister Yasuo Fukuda, meet with the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President of the House of Councilors, receive leaders of some Japanese major economic corporations and visit several localities.

2/ European Commission’s President Jose Barroso to visit Vietnam from 25-27 November, 2007

At the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, President of the European Commission Jose Manuel Barroso will visit Vietnam from 25-27 November 2007. This is the first official visit to Vietnam by an EC President since the establishment of Vietnam-EU diplomatic relations in November 1990. The EC President’s visit follows his participation in the Commemorative Summit to mark the 30th anniversary in ASEAN- EU ties in Singapore.

EC President Barroso’s official visit to Vietnam is to further enhance the cooperation between Vietnam and EU in general, and between Vietnam and the EC in particular, especially in trade and investment. The visit will help the EU in general and the EC in particular better understand Vietnam’s situation and policies of socio-economic development, external relations and international integration after Vietnam became a WTO member and a non-permanent member of the UNSC.

During his visit, EC President Jose Manuel Barroso will hold talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and meet with General Secretary Nong Duc Manh and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

3/ Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu George Wells to visit Vietnam from 23-24 November 2007

At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem, Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Trade of Vanuatu George Wells will visit Vietnam from 23-24 November 2007. This is the first visit by a high-level official of Vanuatu since the establishment of the diplomatic relations on March 3, 1982.

This visit to Vietnam by Minister of Foreign Affairs and External Relations George Wells aims to enhance the friendship between the two countries and discuss possibilities for the bilateral cooperation.