On June 6, during a regular press conference, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang commented on the recently released 2023 EU Human Rights and Democracy Report.

Pham Thu Hang acknowledged that while the report highlighted Vietnam's achievements in human rights protection, it regrettably included biased and inaccurate information, misrepresenting the actual situation in Vietnam.

Hang affirmed that protecting and promoting human rights is a consistent policy of the Vietnamese State. Vietnam prioritizes its people as the center and driving force of its development and reform process, with continued efforts to improve citizens' living standards and rights.

She emphasized that human rights and freedoms are enshrined in Vietnam's Constitution and laws, respected and protected in practice. The international community has widely acknowledged and praised Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights.

Hang highlighted the strong and positive development of the Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation between Vietnam and the EU. Vietnam remains open to engaging with the EU on human rights issues through annual dialogues and bilateral frameworks to enhance mutual understanding.

"We believe that strengthening dialogue and exchange mechanisms will help the EU obtain a more objective and accurate understanding of Vietnam's efforts in promoting and ensuring human rights, thereby contributing to the advancement of Vietnam-EU relations," she said.

Responding to questions about the US removing Cuba from the list of "non-cooperative countries in counter-terrorism" while retaining Cuba on the "state sponsors of terrorism" list, Pham Thu Hang expressed Vietnam's position:

"Vietnam acknowledges the US State Department’s decision to remove Cuba from the list of 'non-cooperative countries in counter-terrorism.' However, we note that the US has not yet removed Cuba from its list of 'state sponsors of terrorism.' Vietnam, along with the international community, calls on the US to completely lift the embargo against Cuba and remove Cuba from this list."

She reiterated Vietnam’s consistent stance of strongly supporting UN General Assembly resolutions urging the US to end its embargo against Cuba.

"Vietnam hopes the US will take necessary steps toward the complete normalization of relations with Cuba, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation, and development in the Americas and the world," she concluded.

Tran Thuong