I. ANNOUCEMENTS
1. Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh to attend ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting 51 (AMM 51) and related meetings (1st – 4th August 2018)
Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh will lead the Vietnamese delegation to attend the 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM-51) and related meetings from the 1st to the 4th of August, 2018. Prior to the Meetings, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Spouse have paid an official visit to Singapore from the 30th to the 31st of July, 2018. 
The 51st ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting and related Foreign Ministers’ meetings are important events of ASEAN and between ASEAN and its partners in 2018. The meetings will focus on reviewing and discussing measure to promote the establishment of the ASEAN Community, implement “Vision for a resilient and innovative ASEAN”, promote ASEAN’s cooperation with partners, exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concerns. On the sideline of the Meeting, Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh is expected to hold talks with a number of partners attending the Meeting.
2. Rwuandan Minister of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation to pay a visit to Viet Nam (7-8 August 2018)
At the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East Africa Community, Special Envoy of the President of the Republic of Rwanda Louise Mushikiwabo, will pay a visit to Viet Nam from the 7th to the 8th of August 2018.
The purpose of the visit is to exchange measures to further promote the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Rwanda, especially in areas such as agriculture, investment and trade, and discuss bilateral cooperation at the International Organization of La Francophonie, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concerns.
It is expected that during the visit, Rwandan Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and East Africa Community Louise Mushikiwabo will hold talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, pay courtesy calls to Vietnamese high-level leaders and visit some Vietnamese economic and cultural facilities.

II. Q&A
1. Q: The Czech Republic recently announced suspension of work visas for the Vietnamese. Please provide Viet Nam’s response and what has been discussed between two sides on this issue?
A:  The multifaceted cooperative relation of Viet Nam and the Czech Republic has been growing positively.
We understand that this is a technical issue and are willing to cooperate with the Czech side to address difficulties in granting long-term visas for employment or business for the Vietnamese, facilitating bilateral cooperation in many areas, in line with traditional friendship between the two countries.

2. Q: Please verify the information that Viet Nam buys USD 100 mil worth of military arms from the U.S?
A: We will send your question to relevant agency.
Viet Nam’s defence policy is aimed at protecting the independence, sovereignty, unity, territorial integrity and peace of the nation as well as contributing to peace and stability of the region and the world. Viet Nam’s defense cooperation with other countries is to implement the above policy.

3. Q: What is your comment on Cambodian general election that took place on July 29?
A:  Cambodia’s election on July 29, 2018 has been smooth, free and democratic with a high turnout, reflecting voters' confidence in the future of the country.
As a neighboring country that has good traditional friendship with Cambodia, Viet Nam congratulates Cambodia on the successful election and firmly believes that with this success,  Cambodia will continue to obtain greater achievements in building a nation of peace, stability and prosperity.
We also believe that the sound neighborhood relationship, traditional friendship and long-lasting comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia will continue to be strengthened and strongly developed for the interests of the two peoples.

4. Q: What's your response to the US launch of the "India-Pacific Economic Outlook" initiative?
A: Peace, stability, cooperation and development of the region and the world are common goals of all countries. Viet Nam welcomes initiatives and efforts aimed at greater connectivity and linkage that contribute to this goal.

5. Q: US – China trade friction has been a topic discussed at the ongoing ASEAN Ministers Meeting in Singapore. How would that affect Viet Nam?
A: Viet Nam pays attention to developments in trade relations between the US and China. We are of the view that issues in trade relations should be settled through dialogue and negotiation among parties involved on the basis of international norms and regulations, protecting legitimate of all parties, contributing to cooperation, development and prosperity in the region and the world.

6. Q: Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said they had asked Viet Nam to remove the Taiwanese flag flown at a Taiwanese company in Viet Nam. Could you provide more information on this?
A: Viet Nam consistently upholds “one-China” policy. The flag flown by a Taiwanese company as reported in the news was a decision made by that individual company. Local authorities have complied with Viet Nam’s consistent policy on Taiwan.

8. Q: In July, Chinese Embassy was informed that Chinese tourists were asked by customs officers to pay a fee of 10 renminbi upon entering Viet Nam. The Embassy has told the tourists not to pay these fees. How does the government respond to this?
A: We will check with relevant agencies regarding this issue. Viet Nam has been making efforts to become a hospitable destination for all tourists, including those from China. As I said, the number of foreign travelers to Viet Nam has been growing, which testifies to the fact that Viet Nam has been an attractive destination to foreign tourists. 

9. A: Could you comment on the news on violations by public security officials?
A: These have been covered by the media. It is the consistent policy of the Party and State of Viet Nam to expose and deal with violations and wrong-doings of organizations and individuals./.