Press Conference
(Ha Noi, March 7^th, 2012)

ANNOUNCEMENT

1. PM Nguyen Tan Dung to attend the 6th CLMV Summit, the 5th ACMECS Summit, to chair the 7th CLV Meeting and to visit some Northern provinces in Laos (Mar. 12-15)

At the invitation of Prime Minister Thoongsing Thammavong of the People’s Democratic Republic of Laos, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will head a high level delegation of the Vietnamese Government to attend the 6th Cambodia – Laos – Myanmar – Viet Nam Summit (CLMV -6),  the 5th Ayeyawadi – Chao Praya – Mekong Summit (ACMECS – 5), Dialogue between ACMECS Leaders and the representatives of the regional business community in Vientiane from March 12 to 15, 2013.

The CLMV-6 will review the implementation of the plans of action for 2011 – 2012, discuss some of the specific areas of cooperation and orientations for the furtherance of CLMV cooperation, including reviewing the portfolios of projects of priority, mobilizing new development partners and seeking funding for projects of priority.

The ACMECS-5 will review the implementation of the Phnom Penh Declaration and the ACMECS Plan of Action for 2010-2012 and discuss ways for future cooperation, particularly the Plan of Action for 2013-2015.

In Vientiane, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will chair the 7th Cambodia – Laos – Viet Nam Triangle Development Meeting (CLV – 7). The Prime Ministers of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam as well as leaders of some Ministries, agencies and provinces of the three countries will be attending the CLV - 7. The Leaders will exchange views on ways and means to enhance tripartite cooperation mechanism with a view to implementing programs and plans of defense, security and socio-economic development in the development triangle of Cambodia, Laos and Viet Nam, further strengthening the traditional friendship, the special solidarity and the comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos as well as the friendly neighborliness and the comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Cambodia.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will also visit some Northern provinces in Laos.

2. Myanmar Vice President to pay an official visit to Viet Nam (Mar 19-22)

At the invitation of Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, Vice President Nyan Tun of Myanmar will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from March 19 to 22, 2013.

The two sides will exchange views on practical measures to enhance the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and Myanmar, in particular areas of priority such as agriculture, fishery, banking and finance, aviation, telecommunication and construction.

3. Canadian FM to Viet Nam (Mar. 11-12)

At the invitation of Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, Foreign Minister John Baird of Canada will visit Viet Nam from March 11 to 12,  2013. The two Foreign Ministers will meet to exchange views on measures to further deepen bilateral relations in economics, trade, investment, labor, science, technology and education. The visit takes place at a time when the two countries is celebrating the 40th Anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations (1973-2013).

4. The ASEM Seminar on Water and River Basin Management (Mar. 20-22)

Viet Nam will host the ASEM Seminar on Water and River Basin Management from March 20 to 22, 2013 in Can Tho city. Speakers from ASEM member states and more than 100 foreign delegates including ASEM SOM leaders, government officials, specialists and research fellows from ASEM member states and other related international and regional organizations will discuss the four issues as follows: (i) water resources and sustainable development and the assessment of the impacts of management and use of water resources and river basin on the ecosystem, climate change response and green growth; (ii) ensuring the harmony between water resources, food security and energy security; (iii) water resources and the people’s living; (iv) enhancement of ASEM cooperation in the protection of water resources.

Q&A

Question: China has sent marine patrol vessels to patrol the East Sea including Hoang Sa (Paracel) and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagos of Viet Nam.  How do you comment on this?

Answer:

“Viet Nam affirms its sovereignty over Hoang Sa and Truong Sa archipelagos.

Any activity in these areas without the consent of Viet Nam is an infringe upon Viet Nam’s sovereignty, to which we are resolutely opposed”.