Building solidarity based on a foundation of common interests is central to the survival of ASEAN, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh said in a press interview on Tuesday. The statement comes just one week before the socio-economic bloc celebrates its 50th anniversary. ASEAN, or the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, was founded on August 8, 1967 when foreign ministers from Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, and Thailand gathered in Bangkok to sign the ASEAN Declaration. The association has since expanded to include Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, and Cambodia, raising its membership count to ten countries. On Tuesday, Deputy PM Minh, who serves as Vietnam’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, sat down with the country’s press to share his vision for ASEAN’s development ahead of the association’s 50th birthday. An infographic illustrating the history of development of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Graphic: Tuoi Tre … [Read more...] about Solidarity vital to ASEAN’s survival: Vietnamese Deputy PM
Communication on strengthening european identity through education and culture
Avoid unworthwhile investments, try estate taxes, Vietnam advised
At a Saturday conference in Harvard University on Vietnam's development strategy in the 21st century, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam's economy has expanded into the fourth largest economy in ASEAN and among the world's top 12 economies with the largest scale of commerce. The country also takes part in 15 active FTAs, he said. Economist David Dapic said Vietnam taking part in FTAs was a major success. Millions of farmers have moved on to work in factories as a result. But the fact that most materials for production are imported from China is a weakness, he added. When the Covid-19 pandemic broke out, borders were closed and there was commercial tension, Vietnam's exports were affected, Dapic said. Vietnam's trade turnover with the U.S. may reach $100 billion this year. Such a figure might be small for the U.S., but Vietnam should take note to remain in constant communication and avoid being accused of currency manipulation, he advised. Nguyen Thi Hong, head of the … [Read more...] about Avoid unworthwhile investments, try estate taxes, Vietnam advised
Vietnam, Cambodia hold first border defence exchange
Defence Ministers Phan Van Giang (L) and Samdech Pichay Sena Tea Banh salute Border Marker No. 69 on the Vietnam - Cambodia borderline on May 15. (Photo: VNA) Binh Phuoc (VNA) – Vietnam and Cambodia held the first border defence exchange in the border areas of Loc Ninh district of the former’s Binh Phuoc province and Snuol district of the latter’s Kratie province on May 15. Co-chairing the event, Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Gen. Phan Van Giang and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Samdech Pichay Sena Tea Banh saluted Border Marker No. 69, planted friendship trees, witnessed a joint patrol, cut the ribbon to open a military - civilian medical centre in Loc Ninh, and visited two primary schools in the districts. At the following talks, Giang said this was the first border defence friendship exchange between the two countries at the ministerial level. It became even more meaningful as 2022 is the two countries’ Friendship Year … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Cambodia hold first border defence exchange