Deputy PM Meets Foreign Officials, Vietnamese Expats in Switzerland

At the meeting between Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang and Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin. Photo: VNA

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang met UN Secretary General António Guterres and officials of foreign countries on the sidelines of the 52nd regular session of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva on February 27, VNA reported.

Guterres recalled his visit to Vietnam last November, and affirmed that the UN will continue its efforts in promoting the good relations with the Southeast Asian nation.

Quang stressed that Vietnam always backs multilateralism and the UN’s central role in global administrating and coordinating efforts in order to address common challenges.

The Deputy PM suggested the two sides step up their cooperation and materialise major cooperation orientations that match their priorities, including outcomes of the UN Secretary General’s visit.

At the meeting with Ireland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Defence Micheál Martin, Quang noted that Vietnam attaches importance to enhancing its fruitful and multi-faceted relations with Ireland.

The two countries should increase all-level delegation exchanges, he said, suggesting the Irish government create favourable conditions for Vietnamese goods to enter the country.

Martin, in reply, said the Irish government hopes for stronger cooperation with Vietnam, especially in economy and trade.

Both sides pledged to work harder to strengthen the bilateral collaboration, and provide mutual support at multilateral forums, including the UN Human Rights Council.

At the meeting between Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang and Foreign Minister of Venezuela Yvan Gil Pinto. Photo: VNA

Meeting Foreign Minister of Venezuela Yvan Gil Pinto, Quang also affirmed the importance Vietnam attaches to the traditional friendship with the Latin American country.

He suggested the two countries intensify the exchange of delegations at all levels, maintain bilateral cooperation mechanisms, and promote political trust.

Pinto emphasised that the Venezuelan government wishes to foster cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in economy, trade, agriculture and energy.

At the meeting between Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang and Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt. Photo: VNA

At another meeting with Minister of Foreign Affairs of Norway Anniken Huitfeldt, Quang said the two countries should consider establishing a joint economic and trade committee.

He also urged Norway, as the coordinator of the negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA), to accelerate the talks.

Apart from trade and investment, the two countries should expand their collaboration in other spheres, especially clean energy, renewable energy, maritime economy and the implementation of commitments announced at the 26th UN Climate Change Conference (COP26).

Huitfeldt pledged that Norway stands ready to coordinate with Vietnam in boosting the trade and investment links, and expanding cooperation areas.

The two sides agreed to closely coordinate with and support each other at international forums, especially in the context that both nations are serving as members of the UN Human Rights Council for 2023-2025.

Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang (centre) and other Vietnamese officials before the opening of the UNHRC’s 52nd regular session on February 27. Photo: TG&VN

In his speech at a high-level discussion of the 52nd regular session of the UNHRC, Deputy PM Quang highlighted the determination, efforts, and achievements of Vietnam – a new UNHRC member – in making reforms, boosting socio-economic development, ensuring social security, and safeguarding and promoting human rights, especially the maintenance of fast growth, the widespread coverage of health insurance, a rate of women’s political participation among the world’s highest, and the continuous improvement in the human development index rankings.

Underlining Vietnam’s motto when joining the UNHRC – “Respect and Understanding. Dialogue and Cooperation. All human rights for all people”, the Deputy PM called on countries to understand and respect one another’s differences, stay united, hold dialogue, and cooperate to resolve global issues on the basis of multilateralism, international law, and the UN Charter.

He stressed the need to focus on implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the commitments on climate change adaptation.

To ensure the full enjoyment of human rights around the globe, the UNHRC should play the central role in promoting constructive dialogue, equality, and effective cooperation among countries on the basis of mutual respect and understanding and with an overarching approach, according to the Vietnamese official.

At the discussion, Quang suggested the UDHR’s 75th anniversary and the VDPA’s 30th anniversary be celebrated with a UNHRC document to reaffirm the major and inclusive goals and values of those statements and the international community’s joint commitment for the sake of humanity.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang speaks at the event. Photo: VNA

Earlier, Deputy PM Tran Luu Quang joined a meeting with Vietnamese expatriate community and representative agencies in Switzerland on February 26.

The Deputy PM’s attendance at the High-Level Meeting on February 27 and 28 officially marks the start of Vietnam’s participation as a UNHRC member for the 2023-2025 tenure.