I. ANNOUCEMENTS
1. National Assembly Vice President Do Ba Ty to visit Argentina and the United States  July 18-27
At the invitation of the Parliament leaders of Argentina and the United States, National Assembly Vice President Do Ba Ty is leading a delegation of Viet Nam National Assembly to visit Argentina and the United States from 18th to 27th July. The visits aim at strengthening and enhancing the friendship with Argentina, particularly given the on-going activities to celebrate the 45th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries (25/10/1973 – 25/10/2018), as well as deepening the comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and the United States.
In Argentina, N.A Vice President Do Ba Ty will hold talks with the Interim Speaker of the Upper House, pay courtesy calls upon the Vice President and leaders of the Lower House, and have meetings with a variety of ministries and agencies of Argentina.
In the United States, Vice President Do Ba Ty will meet with leaders of both the Senate and the House of Representatives, departments and have meetings with American scholars and businesses.
2. Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng to attend the 10th Delhi Dialogue in New Delhi, India, July 19-20
Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng, ASEAN SOM Leader of Viet Nam,  will lead the Vietnamese delegation to the 10th Delhi Dialogue from 19th to 20th, July 2018 in New Delhi, India. This is an annual event since 2009 that gathers politicians, scholars, and businessmen from ASEAN countries and India. This dialogue is entitled "Strengthening India- ASEAN Maritime Cooperation". Deputy Minister Nguyễn Quốc Dũng will deliver a keynote speech at the Ministers and Heads of Delegation’s session on the 19th July 2018.
In addition to the main discussion on maritime cooperation, the parties will exchange views on measures to strengthen relations and promote cooperation between ASEAN and India in a wide range of areas such as trade and investment, development cooperation, regional connectivity and socio-cultural exchanges. At the same time, there will be parallel discussion groups on emerging issues in the ASEAN- India cooperation, such as development of medium, small and micro enterprises, digital connectivity and e-commerce, tourism cooperation and smart city building.

II. Q&A
1. Q: What is your comment on the US – China trade friction?
A: In our point of view, trade issues between countries should be handled through negotiation in accordance with international practices and regulations, particularly the WTO’s rules, to ensure legitimate interests of related parties, and to contribute to the cooperation, development and prosperity of the region and the world.

2. Q: Heads of negotiating delegations of CPTPP’s member countries are meeting in Japan in the context that Japan is pushing for the Agreement to come into effect next year. Please provide update on Viet Nam’s ratification process of CPTPP and how about new membership for CPTPP?
A: CPTPP is expected to come into effect 60 days after at least 6 signatories have completed ratification process.
Viet Nam and other member countries are conducting CPTPP’s ratification procedures in accordance with laws of each country in order to put the Agreement into effect, thus promoting mutually-beneficial economic cooperation of member countries and making contribution to regional economic growth and connectivity. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is working to finalize documents for the agreement to be submitted to the National Assembly later this year.
Regarding CPTPP’s membership expansion, as this is a free trade agreement, other countries can join after the Agreement comes into force as long as they accept the Agreement’s standards and are approved by member states.

3. Q: What’s your opinion about the summit between the US President Donald  Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Helsinki, Finland on July 16th?
A: Viet Nam welcomes the recent summit between the US president Donald  Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and wishes that the US – Russia relationship will stably grow to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development of the world.

4. Q: Please update the situation of Cambodian Vietnamese families caught in a fire on July 17th?
A: As reported, according to the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia, an hours-long fire broke out at around 3h30 am on July 10th, completely destroying 56 houses and assets of 70 Cambodian Vietnamese households and 10 Khmer families in Russey Keo district.
Right after the incident, the Vietnamese Embassy sent officials to the fire area to update the situation, provide assistance and financial support to the affected families as well as mobilize businesses to help them overcome difficulties. The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has sent sympathy letters and assistance from overseas Vietnamese to the victims.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed the Vietnamese Embassy to Cambodia and the State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese to continue working with relevant authourities to take measures to help the affected families overcome the consequences and settle down at the soonest time.