I. ANNOUNCEMENTS

1. Vice President of Viet Nam to attend the Eurasian Women's Forum in Russia (18 - 23 September):

At the invitation of the Federal Council, the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation, Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh will lead a high-level delegation to pay a visit to the Russian Federation and to attend the 2nd Eurasian Women's Forum September 18th – 23rd, 2018 in St. Petersburg, Russia.

The 2nd Eurasian Women's Forum’s theme is "Women for Global Security and Sustainable Development". The Forum will discuss the issues of expanding the opportunities and role of women in political and economic fields, developing effective international cooperation for innovation, developing the digital economy, ensuring a secure environment, promoting charitable activities and humanitarian projects.

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh will meet with the President of the Federal Council of the Russian Federation and leaders of countries and international organizations attending the Forum, and meet with the Vietnamese businesses and community in the Russian Federation.

2. Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh to visit Poland and Italy (20 - 26 September):

Standing Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh will pay a visit to Poland from September 20th to 22nd, and to Italy and Vatican on September 23rd – 26th, 2018.

The purpose of the visit to Poland is to broaden the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Poland, to promote bilateral cooperation in areas such as politics, economics, trade, investment, education - training, science – technology and agriculture. The visit to Italy and the Vatican is aimed at boosting the strategic partnership with Italy and exchanging measures to promote trade and investment, especially in the areas of infrastructure, transport, energy, manufacturing, environment and cooperation as well as judiciary, anti-corruption, administrative reform; and to further promote positive developments in the Vietnam-Vatican relations.

It is expected that in Poland, DPM Truong Hoa Binh will meet with Polish leaders; hold talks with Polish Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Science and Higher Education, attend Viet Nam – Poland Economic Cooperation forum and visit Polish localities. In Italy, DPM Truong Hoa Binh will meet with Italian leaders; hold talks with Italian Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of the Interior, and meet with the leaders of the Holy See in Vatican City.

II. Q&A:

Q: Please verify the information that 4 Vietnamese in Singapore were arrested for stealing clothes in shopping malls in Singapore and will appear in court on September 25?

A: As informed by the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore, the case is now being handled by Singaporean authorities under Singaporean laws. Viet Nam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs instructed the Embassy in Singapore to provide necessary citizen protection.

Q: What’s your comment on the inter-Korean Summit on 19 September?

A: Viet Nam welcomes the outcome of the inter-Korean Summit on 19 September and the signing of the Pyongyang Joint Declaration. We support the concerned parties to maintain high-level dialogues and meetings, take constructive and practical actions aimed at denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula and promote dialogue, cooperation in order to maintain peace and stability in the region and the world.

Q: What’s your comment on the UK naval ship passing through Paracel archipelago?

A: Viet Nam has sufficient legal ground and historical evidence for sovereignty over Spratly and Paracel archipelagos in accordance with international law.

Viet Nam respects freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea in accordance with the provisions of international law, particularly the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. We also request other countries to make practical and responsible contribution to the maintenance of peace and the rule of law in the East Sea.

Q: What’s Viet Nam’s reaction to activities of Japanese submarine in the East Sea?

A: The Japanese side has had their statement on this.

As a member of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982 and an East Sea littoral country, Viet Nam affirms consistent view on freedom of navigation and aviation undertaken in accordance with international law, including the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982. Also, Viet Nam request other countries to make positive and practical contribution to the maintenance of peace, stability, respect of international law and international legal obligations as well as the rule of law in seas and oceans.

Q: At the 11th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi suggested the best way to manage maritime conflict be cooperation for joint exploitation in sea. China and the Philippines are also discussing this matter. What’s Viet Nam’s opinion on this?

A: The 11th Meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation had been covered in the media.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to follow the common understanding of senior leaders of the two countries and two parties as well as the “Agreement on basic principles governing the settlement of issues at sea between Viet Nam and China”. The two sides also agreed to manage differences concerning sea issues, to refrain from actions that may complicate the situation and broaden the dispute, and to maintain peace and stability in the East Sea.

Viet Nam supports cooperation between countries, including maritime cooperation. Viet Nam has undertaken bilateral and multilateral cooperation with others, including China in various fields such as scientific research, environmental protection, crime prevention, economic cooperation, etc.

It is Viet Nam’s view that maritime cooperation is to conform with the regimes and provisions of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, in compliance with rights and interests of Viet Nam as well as in respect of interests of other concerned parties./.