ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. 2^nd Summit of Mekong River Commission (MRC)

The 2^nd MRC Summit of the Mekong River Commission with the theme of “Cooperation for water, energy and food security in trans-boundary basins under changing climate” will be held on 5 April 2014 in Ho Chi Minh City. The summit is of remarkable significance as it reviews the operation of the Commission over the last four years, identifies prioritized areas for future cooperation and displays the highest commitment from member countries in promoting cooperation for sustainable development in the Mekong river basins. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will chair and address the Summit.

The Ho Chi Minh City Declaration is expected to be adopted at the Summit. This declaration emphasizes issues related to Mekong cooperation, current opportunities and challenges as well as future prioritized areas.

2. Prime Minister of Malaysia pays official visit to Viet Nam (3-5 April 2014)

At the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of Malaysia Najib Tun Razak and Spouse will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from 3 ^rd to 5^th, April 2014.

This visit is an opportunity for leaders of the two countries to discuss major directions and measures to deepen the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Malaysia, and to promote bilateral cooperation in all areas, especially economics, trade, investment, labor, oil and gas. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

During the visit, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak will hold talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and pay courtesy calls to other high-level leaders of Viet Nam.

3. Bulgarian Prime Minister to pay an official visit to Vietnam (6 – 9 April 2014)

At the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Prime Minister of the Republic of Bulgaria Plamen Oreshaski and Spouse will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from 6^th to 9^th, April 2014.

The visit by the Bulgarian Prime Minister is aimed at strengthening the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries. On this occasion, high-level leaders of the two countries will discuss concrete ways to promote cooperation in many areas, especially economics, trade and investment and measures to implement the new economic cooperation model of the two countries. They will also exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Within the framework of this visit, the Bulgarian Prime Minister will hold talks with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and pay courtesy call to high-level leaders of Viet Nam.

4. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam to attend Annual Conference of Boao Forum for Asia 2014 (8-11 April 2014) 

At the invitation of the Government of the People’s Republic of China and the organizing board of the Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the conference in Hainan Province, China from 8^th to 11^th, April 2014. Tentatively, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam will address the plenary opening session.

5. Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh to pay official visit to Sweden and UK (9-17 April 2014)

At the invitation of the Government of the Kingdom of Sweden and the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh will pay official visits to the Kingdom of Sweden from 9^th to 11^th, April 2014 and the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland from 14^th to 17^th, April 2014.

The visits offer an opportunity for Viet Nam to discuss orientations and measures to promote the strategic partnership with the UK and the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Sweden, especially in economics, trade, investment and other potential areas of both sides.

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

1. Question: Please provide Viet Nam’s response to the final results issued by the US Department of Commerce of the ninth anti-dumping duty administrative reviews on Vietnamese pangasius fillets imported to US markets. According to the results, anti-dumping duties, though lowered, are still imposed on some Vietnamese exporters.

Answer:

We have repeatedly affirmed that Vietnamese enterprises are not dumping pangasius products as well as other products in the US market. We believe that issues in bilateral trade relations between Viet Nam and the US should be considered in a fair and objective manner in consistence with the spirit of trade liberalisation and the finely developing economic and trade ties between the two countries.

2. Responding to reporters’ question on Viet Nam’s reaction to Philippnes’ submission of its pleading to the Permanent Court of Arbitration, Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh stated:

Viet Nam has been closely following this case. Viet Nam will apply necessary measures to protect its legitimate rights and interests in the East Sea, in accordance with the UN Charter and international law.”