On 25 January 2007, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung had an audience with Pope Benedict XVI and held talks with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone at the Holy See Vatican. This is the first time a Vietnamese Prime Minister has had a meeting with the Pope and the Vatican Secretary of State. The meetings demonstrate the goodwill and desire of Vietnam and the Holy See to promote dialogues and mutual understanding.

At the meetings, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung informed the Pope and the Vatican Secretary of State of great and important achievements of Vietnam in various fields after 20 years implementing the policy of reform, openness and international integration. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung asserted that the Vietnamese Communist Party and the State of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam always respect the rights to democracy and the rights to freedom of beliefs and religions of its citizens which are stipulated by the Vietnamese law and consistently excercised, creating favorable conditions for the advancement of religious life and considering this an important factor to guarantee the unity of the entire nation. In Vietnam, the community of Catholics is a dynamic, God- loving and patriotic community that has made positive contribution to national building and development.

The Vietnamese Government always attaches importance to its relationship with the Holy See Vatican. The two sides have conducted annual meetings to exchange views on issues relating to the Vietnamese Catholic Church and other issues of mutual concern. These meetings have brought positive results, helping enhance mutual understanding.

The Vietnamese Government advocates the continuation of direct dialogue with the Holy See Vatican on the basis of the agreed principles, namely mutual respect and non-interference into each other’s internal affairs. Vietnam hopes that the Holy See Vatican will encourage the Catholic community in Vietnam to maintain close bonds with the country and the nation, and to work as a foundation to support the development of the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See Vatican.

The Pope and the Vatican Secretary of State expressed their thanks for and high appreciation of Vietnam’s policy of religious freedom in Vietnam, saying Vietnam could be seen as a model of freedom of religions and religious belief. The Vatican Secretary of State requested that full diplomatic relations between Vienam and the Vatican be established.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung acknowledged the Vatican Secretary of State’s idea on the establishment of diplomatic relations and recommended that the diplomatic missions of the two sides conduct specific discussions on the matter.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the Pope and the Vatican Secretary of State for their high esteem welcome and expressed his confidence that given the goodwill and the determination of the two sides, the relationship between Vietnam and the Holy See Vatican will continue to develop in line with both sides’ aspiration./.