VietNamNet Bridge – The year 2015 is featured with a string of historic visits to foreign countries by Vietnamese high-ranking leaders, which help elevate the country's bilateral relations with partners and consistently reaffirm her foreign policy.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Party General Secretary and State President Xi Jinping, China, April 7, 2015 - Photo: VNA

VN, China pledge to fully realize common perceptions

A ceremonial welcome for Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and his entourage took place at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, China on April 7, hosted by Chinese Party General Secretary and State President Xi Jinping.

The two sides agreed to intensify directions to fully realize previous commitments and common perceptions; boost all-level exchanges and cooperation; continue effectively cooperative mechanisms between the two Parties and increase experience sharing in Party building, anti-corruption, political and ideological education, socio-economic development and the building of the State of the rule of law.

Regarding sea issues, the two sides underscored the need to abide by important perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and the two countries and stringently implement the “Agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues between Viet Nam and China”.

Both sides should manage disputes at sea together while fully and efficiently expediting the “Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea” (DOC) and working towards a “Code of Conduct in the East Sea” (COC).

The leaders also agreed on avoiding actions that could complicate and enlarge disputes and promptly employing measures to solve issues appropriately to maintain Viet Nam-China relations and peace and stability in the East Sea.

Defining visions for VN-US relations

Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong on July 7 held a historic conversation with U.S. President Barack Obama in the Oval Office of the White House, on Tuesday, July 7, 2015, in Washington D.C.

The two sides adopted Joint Vision Statement to affirm their continued pursuit of a deepened, sustained, and substantive relationship on the basis of respect for the United Nations Charter, international law, and each other’s political systems, independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity.

The US and Viet Nam pledged to continue bilateral cooperation in defense and security, as outlined in the Viet Nam-US Joint Vision Statement on Defense Relations.

Both countries were concerned about recent developments in the East Sea that have increased tensions, eroded trust, and threatened to undermine peace, security, and stability. They recognized the imperative of upholding the internationally-recognized freedoms of navigation and overflight; unimpeded lawful commerce, maritime security and safety; refraining from actions that raise tensions; ensuring that all actions and activities takencomply with international law; and rejecting coercion, intimidation, and the use or threat of force.

Both countries voiced support for the peaceful resolution of disputes in conformity with international law, including as reflected in the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), and recognized the importance of fully implementing the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in East Sea in its entirety, as well as efforts to conclude the Code of Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

Japan supports infrastructure projects

During their talks in Tokyo on September 15 between Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Japanese PM Shinzo Abe, the latter pledged to provide ¥100 billion in official development assistance for Viet Nam’s North-South road and port projects.

Japan also hoped to strengthen cooperation with Viet Nam in building Long Thanh international airport, Ninh Thuan 2 nuclear power plant, specialized industrial parks in Hai Phong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The two leaders agreed to further enhance workforce training cooperation, effectively realize the medium and long–term vision on agriculture cooperation, and open their markets for farm produce like Japanese apples and Vietnamese mangoes since September 17 this year.

Both sides shared their concern over the recent complicated developments in the East Sea while emphasizing the importance of abiding by international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, towards the formulation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

VN, Germany set new trade volume target

State President Truong Tan Sang and his German counterpart Joachim Gauck expressed pleasure at the rapid development of the Viet Nam-Germany strategic partnership at their talks in Berlin on November 25 (local time).

The two State leaders agreed that the two countries have become not only strategic partners but also sincere friends with mutual understanding and respect. They stressed the need to strengthen visit exchanges and implement bilateral cooperative mechanisms in an effective fashion to create new momentum for a stronger strategic partnership in the time ahead.

They agreed that both nations enjoy favorable conditions to lift two-way trade to between US$15 billion and US$20 billion by 2020 and German investment in Viet Nam to US$5 billion as soon as possible.

The German President underscored the importance of settling disputes in the East Sea through peaceful means and in line with international law.

State President Truong Tan Sang (L) and Filipino President Aquino witness the signing ceremony of the strategic partnership, November 17, 2015 - Photo: VOV

VN, Philippines establish strategic partnership

State President Truong Tan Sang and his Filipino President Aquino on November 17 witnessed the signing of strategic partnership, making the Philippines the 5th strategic partner of Viet Nam in ASEAN.

The new partnership will open a new era in the bilateral relations, provide more impetus to enhance trust and deepen the two countries’ cooperation, contributing to pace, prosperity and stability in the region.

Filipino President Aquino emphasized that the strategic partnership is an important step forward to consolidating the two countries’ relations, providing "further impetus to deepen our cooperation, particularly in the areas of economic, agricultural, defense and maritime engagement -- areas that are truly vital to the strategic interests of both our nations."

The two leaders reaffirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, safety, and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea as well as settling disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Strengthening comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia

The Victory in Great Patriotic War (May 9, 1945-2015) encouraged Viet Nam and other countries to rise up for independence and freedom, said State President Truong Tan Sang during his talks with Russian President V. Putin on May 9.

Regarding bilateral ties, the two leaders agreed on measures to further strengthen the comprehensive strategic partnership in the new stage.

They agreed to continue fostering the exchange of delegations to create stronger momentum for the development of the bilateral ties and deepen defense and security cooperation, including personnel and technical training.

The two Presidents agreed the signing of a free trade agreement between Viet Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union by the end of May will help raise the two-way trade value to US$10 billion by 2020.

VN, Malaysia set up strategic partnership

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his Malaysian counterpart Najib Rajak officially decided to upgrade the two nations’ comprehensive partnership into strategic partnership on the occasion of the former’s official visit to Malaysia from August 7-8.

Malaysia has become the 4th ASEAN country to establish strategic partnership with Viet Nam, following Indonesia, Thailand, and Singapore.

The decision to upgrade ties will open up a new era for the two countries, said Malaysian PM Najib Rajak.

Meanwhile, PM Dung said that the strategic partnership will create a new impetus for the bilateral ties and effectively contribute to the ASEAN Community, to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

The two PMs re-affirmed the importance of ensuring peace, stability, security, maritime and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea and tackling all disputes on the basis of international law, including the 1982 United Nations on the Law of the Sea.

Both PMs emphasized the importance for the early establishment of an effective Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) while urging all parties to increase consultations and intensify efforts towards building, maintaining and enhancing mutual trust as well as finding durable solution to the disputes in the East Sea.

Enhancing comprehensive partnership with Australia, New Zealand

PM Nguyen Tan Dung paid official visits to Australia from March 17-18/3 and New Zealand from March 19-20/3 at the invitations of Australian PM Tony Abbott NZ PM John Key.

PM Dung and his Australian counterpart Tony Abbott discussed a series of important issues including trade, investment, education, development cooperation, national defense, the East Sea issue, and the two countries’ commitments to increasing the strategic role of the East Asia Summit.

The two PMs witnessed the signing of the Declaration on Enhancing the Viet Nam-Australia comprehensive partnership, which sets out a high-level strategic agenda to guide the relationship in coming years. The Declaration covers regional and international cooperation, trade and investment, industry development, development assistance, defence, law enforcement and security.

During their talks, PM Dung and New Zealander PM John Key were unanimous in expanding consultation, policy coordination, and mutual support to address global challenges and promote shared matters.

PM John Key thanked Viet Nam for supporting New Zealand’s candidacy for a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council’s 2015-2016 term and committed to supporting the Southeast Asian country’s organization of the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum.

The two PMs issued a joint statement on strengthening the Viet Nam-New Zealand comprehensive partnership, witnessing the signing of an agreement on food safety and animal and plant quarantine as well as a protocol amending their air services agreement.

Deepening comprehensive partnership with the US

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung began his official visit to the US on September 3  after attending the 4th World Conference of Speakers of Parliament.

The visit was made at the invitations of President Pro Tempore of the US Senate Patrick Leahy, Speaker of the US House of Representatives John Boehner and US Senator John McCain .

The visit aimed to step up the progress of common perceptions and consensus reached by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Barack Obama while elevating ties between the two legislatures.

In face-to-face meetings, Vietnamese and US parliamentary leaders shared key matters involving the strengthening of mutual trust, regional and global developments of shared interest, including maritime security and safety, anti-terrorism and climate change response.

On the East Sea issue, the US expressed its support for Viet Nam’s position on the settlement of disputes at sea, saying they must be addressed by peaceful means and in line with international law.

VGP