☀️ Morning digest on March 28

Vietnam consistently regards Russia as one of its top strategic and trusted partners in its foreign policy while Vietnam is a priority partner in Russia's foreign policy in the Asia-Pacific region.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man directed the consideration of establishing similar creative technology centres in Vietnam, based on Armenia's TUBO Centre model, to create an educational environment that helps Vietnamese youth promote self-learning and enhance their skills, particularly in science and technology, innovation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation.

The PM praised the Standard Chartered for supporting Vietnamese ministries and agencies in implementing the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) in Vietnam, as well as for working with the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) to help the country achieve its sustainable development goals.

Vietnam and Belarus should make efforts to boost bilateral economic and trade relations, which are still modest compared to their potential and strengths, and create conditions for their businesses to enhance investment collaboration, and maintain the effectiveness of the Intergovernmental Committee, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.

The two Deputy PMs focused on discussing several measures to promote bilateral relations, such as improving transportation connections and multi-modal transport to facilitate the movement of goods between the two countries and to Asian, European, and global markets.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of Belgium and a high-level delegation from the European country engaged in a series of activities in the northern port city of Hai Phong on April 2, as part of their ongoing state visit to Vietnam.

Vietnam and Russia should also identify new directions, measures, and cooperation projects in areas such as defence and security, high technology, energy, nuclear power, basic sciences, and culture and arts, said Party chief To Lam.

Belgian investors, in partnership with local stakeholders, are currently implementing three key projects in Quang Ninh, including two major industrial infrastructure developments - the Bac Tien Phong and Nam Tien Phong Industrial Parks in Quang Yen township.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urged promoting breakthroughs in scientific and technological development, innovation, and digital transformation for rapid and sustainable growth, noting that attention should be placed on green economy, digital economy, knowledge-based economy, circular economy, and sharing economy, particularly in emerging sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things.

The 13th meeting of the Central Military Commission, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's participation in a business forum as part of his official visit to Armenia, and Vietnam's reduction of import taxes on various goods ahead of the US government's announcement of reciprocal tariffs on other nations are among news highlights on April 2.

NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stated that the Vietnamese delegation’s visit to Armenia not only aims to strengthen political and parliamentary relations, but also opens up opportunities to promote economic, trade and investment cooperation - areas in which both countries have great potential to exploit together.

The continuing re-organisation of the local military structure and the border guard force aims to enhance efficiency, reduce intermediary levels, strengthening their role as the core force in implementing the strategy of people's defence and people's war, ensuring the firm protection of national sovereignty and border security, Party General Secretary To Lam said.

The diplomat expressed his hope that the visits not only help maintain the traditional friendly relations between Vietnam and the two nations, but also create new momentum to elevate cooperation to higher levels, ensuring that it is substantial, effective, and commensurate with the political relations between Vietnam and these countries.

Building on the fruitful development of the bilateral relations, NA Chairman Man’s official visit to Uzbekistan marks an important milestone, contributing to elevating the bilateral relations to a new level.

Belgian King Philippe's meetings with top leaders of Vietnam, the 16th session of the Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee on Economic, Trade, and Scientific-Technical Cooperation, and Singapore's approval of the import of selected poultry meat and egg products from Vietnam are among news highlights on April 1 evening.

The official visit is a demonstration of Vietnam’s consistent policy of treasuring and promoting relations with the countries it has traditional friendship with, including Armenia.

Queen Mathilde of Belgium on April 1 visited the Vietnam National Children's Hospital in Hanoi, which reflected the strong public healthcare cooperation between the two countries, particularly in the field of child mental health.

In the past over five decades, Vietnam and Belgium have emerged as key partners across multiple fields, including politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education, health care, environmental protection, and sustainable development. Both nations have also worked closely together at multilateral forums, particularly as members of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 tenure.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security’s rescue team is working tirelessly, making the most of every moment in the hope of finding survivors, despite immense difficulties.

Belgian King Philippe's visit, accompanied by senior officials, business leaders, representatives of universities and research institutes, would create new momentum to deepen and enhance the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Belgium in a practical and effective way, meeting the benefits of their people and contributing responsibly to peace, stability, and sustainable development in the region and the world.