I. ANNOUNCEMENT
1. General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong to pay an official visit to the French Republic and a State visit to the Republic of Cuba (25 to 30 March)
At the invitation of President of the Republic of France Emmanuel Macron and First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba Raul Castro, General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will lead the Vietnamese high-level delegation for an official visit to the French Republic from 25 to 27 March 2018 and a State visit to the Republic of Cuba from 28 to 30 March 2018.
2. President of the National Assembly of Viet Nam to attend the 138th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union in Switzerland and to pay an official visit to the Netherlands (24 to 29 March).
At the invitation of President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union and Gabriela Cuevas Barron and Speaker of the House of Representatives of the Kingdom of the Netherlands Khadija Arib, a high-level delegation of the National Assembly of Viet Nam, led by President Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, will attend the 138th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and related conferences from 24 to 25 March in Geneva, Switzerland. The President of the National Assembly will pay an official visit to the Kingdom of the Netherlands from 26 to 29 March 2018.
President of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan is expected to deliver remarks at the General Debate of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s General Assembly, hold bilateral meetings with the IPU President and Secretary General, and meet with leaders of the Parliaments from several countries. In the Netherlands, President of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan is expected to hold talks with the Speaker of the Senate and the House of Representatives, meet with high-level Dutch leaders, visit some Dutch economic and cultural facilities and attend the commemoration ceremony to celebrate the 45th anniversary of the Viet Nam – Netherlands diplomatic relations. This is the first official visit by President of the National Assembly of Viet Nam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to the Netherlands. The visit is of great significance, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with the Netherlands, when Viet Nam and the Netherlands celebrate the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relations in 2018.
3. President of South Korea to pay a visit to Viet Nam (22-24 March)
At the invitation of President Tran Dai Quang, President of South Korea Moon Jae-in and Spouse will pay a State visit to Vietnam from 22 to 24 March.
The visit takes place in the context where the Viet Nam – South Korea Strategic Partnership is growing strongly in all areas. The visit will help further promote cooperation between Viet Nam and South Korea in the areas of both countries’ strength and interest. The visit will also be an opportunity for the two sides to discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern.
It is expected that within the framework of his State visit to Viet Nam, President of South Korea Moon Jae-in will hold talks with President Tran Dai Quang, meet with General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and President of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan; witness the ground-breaking ceremony of the Viet Nam – Korea Institute of Science and Technology; attend the Viet Nam – Korea Business Forum and participate in other activities.
4. Foreign Minister of Russia to visit Viet Nam (22 to 23 March)
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Foreign Minister of the Russian Federation Sergey Lavrov will pay an official visit to Vietnam from 22 to 23 March 2018.
The visit of the Foreign Minister of Russia Sergey Lavrov aims to review and evaluate the outcomes of the two countries’ bilateral cooperation, and implement signed high-level agreements, set out directions for strengthening cooperation in the future, as well as exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern. The visit also aims to promote the two countries’ Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with Russia in all areas, for it to develop in a stable, long-term and substantive manner. It is expected that the Foreign Minister of Russia will hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and pay a courtesy call on the Vietnamese high-level leaders.
II. Q&A
1.Please update about the death of a Vietnamese student in Germany and what Vietnamese representative offices have undertaken so far?
Answer:
We would like to send our deepest condolences to Ms. Tran Thi Thu Ha's family.
As soon as the news came up on March 11th 2018, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed the Vietnamese Embassy in Berlin, the Consulate General of Viet Nam in Frankfurt and the Vietnamese Embassy in Finland to look into the case.
According to the Consulate General of Vietnam in Frankfurt, Dortmund Police identified the victim as Tran Thi Thu Ha, born on December 23rd 1997 in Hai Phong, who studied in Haaga-Helia University of Applied Sciences, Finland and traveled to Germany on a student exchange program. Dormund police said Ha died from falling on the morning of March 11, 2018 in Dortmund, Germany and had performed an autopsy and are investigating the cause of death.
The Consular Department of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has provided guidelines for the family to complete post-death procedures.
The Vietnamese Consulate General in Frankfurt asked local authorities to continue investigation and inform the Vietnamese side. Local authorities said to create most favorable conditions for the family to handle the post-death in compliance with their wish as well as Vietnamese customs.
The Embassy of Viet Nam in Finland contacted Haaga –Helia University for assistance. The school said to have contacted the family and would provide post-death assistance. The Vietnamese Association in Finland also raised funds to support the family.
Vietnam Airlines would provide airline tickets for the family.
When Vietnamese citizens die overseas, state agencies shall provide guidelines on procedures; the family would pay for the costs involved. In special cases, concerned agencies will coordinate with organizations and associations in the host country to raise funds to support the family similar to this case.
At present, we are working with local and national authorities of the host countries to support Ms. Ha's family to complete the post-death procedures.
2. What is Viet Nam's reaction to Taiwan’s live-fire exercises in the area of Ba Binh island in the Truong Sa archipelago of Viet Nam.
Answer:
Viet Nam has sufficient historical evidence and legal grounds for sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.
The live-fire exercises that Taiwan repeatedly carried out in the waters around Ba Binh in the Truong Sa archipelago of Viet Nam is a serious violation of Viet Nam's sovereignty over the islands, threatening peace, stability, maritime safety and security, causing tension and complicating the situation in the East Sea.
Once again, Viet Nam resolutely opposes and demands Taiwan not to repeat similar activities.
3. What is Viet Nam's response to the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture's announcement on a moratorium on offshore fishing, including areas in the East Sea from 1 May to 5 June, 2018?
Answer:
Viet Nam strongly opposes this unilateral decision by the Chinese side.
Viet Nam has sufficient historical evidence and legal grounds for sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos as well as legitimate rights to Vietnamese waters established in accordance with the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
This moratorium infringes upon Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa archipelago, Viet Nam’s legitimate rights and interests in its waters, violates international laws, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. The moratorium also runs against the spirit and wording of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea and Agreement on the principles for resolving Viet Nam – China issues and is not in line with important agreements between leaders of the two countries on managing maritime disputes, not conducive to maintaining a peaceful, stable and cooperative environment in the East Sea and the positive development in bilateral relations as well as efforts undertaken by countries in negotiating the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea.
4. Viet Nam's view on the US-Korea summit scheduled in May? Is Viet Nam ready to host this meeting?
Answer:
Viet Nam supports constructive efforts to resolve all disputes through peaceful dialogue, contributing positively to peace, security and stability on the Korean peninsula and the world in general.
Viet Nam is willing to contribute positively to promoting dialogue, maintaining peace, security and stability on the Korean peninsula.
5. Please update the case of two Vietnamese citizens who died while entering Taiwan.
Answer:
According to Viet Nam Economic and Culture Office in Taipei, the Office is coordinating with local authorities to assist families in completing post-death procedures.
As far as I know, Taipei Economic and Culture Office in Hanoi is also assisting victims' families in immigration paperwork to Taiwan to complete the post-death procedures.
