Vietnam, Holy See bolster ties at 12th meeting of joint working group
The two sides laid stress on the importance of further advancing ties through continued high-level exchanges and agreed to maintain regular sessions of the Joint Working Group.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang meets with His Holiness Pope Leo XIV. (Photo: Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
Hanoi (VNA) - The 12th meeting of the Vietnam – Holy See Joint Working Group took place recently in Vatican City, discussing the bilateral relations and the current situation of the Catholic Church in the Southeast Asian country.
The event was co-chaired by Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang and Under-Secretary for Relations with States of the Holy See Monsignor Mirosław Wachowski.
Both sides acknowledged the positive contributions of the Church to the overall development of Vietnam, in the spirit of living out the Gospel in the world by being good Catholics and good citizens.
They expressed their delight over the progress in their bilateral relations since the 11th meeting, which took place in Hanoi in May 2024, including through regular engagement and consultations, exchanges of delegations at various levels, especially at the high level, as well as the activities of the Resident Papal Representative in Hanoi Archbishop Marek Zalewski.
The two sides laid stress on the importance of further advancing ties through continued high-level exchanges and agreed to maintain regular sessions of the Joint Working Group.
The meeting took place in an atmosphere of friendship, trust and mutual respect.
On the occasion of the visit to the Vatican, the Vietnamese delegation was received by His Holiness Pope Leo XIV, and paid courtesy calls to the Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin, and to the Secretary for Relations with States and International Organisations, Archbishop Paul Gallagher./.
Pope Leo noted the positive progress in bilateral ties and voiced support for further exchanges through the Vietnam – Holy See Joint Working Group, aiming to strengthen cooperation in line with the aspirations of Vietnamese Catholics and the interests of both sides.
Relations between Vietnam and the Vatican have seen many positive developments, thanks to high-level visits and interactions between their leaders, negotiations of the Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group, and particularly the elevation of their relationship to the level of Resident Papal Representative in Vietnam since July 2023, according to Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet.
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NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s upcoming trip is not only a milestone in consolidating the Vietnam – Malaysia relations but also an affirmation of Vietnam’s proactive and constructive role in promoting cooperation, stability, and sustainable development within ASEAN.
General Secretary Lam recognised the general department for its contributions to industrialisation and modernisation, underlined that it has played a crucial role in strengthening the nation’s defence capabilities.
National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, who is President of the National Election Council (NEC), chaired the council’s second meeting in Hanoi on September 15.
President Cuong described the academy as a shining example in scientific research, strategic advice provision, theory development, and enhancing the leadership, direction, and management capacity of the Party and State in national defence and security, helping to build the military, strengthen national defence, protect the Fatherland early and from afar, maintain political and social stability, and lay a solid foundation for the national construction and defence cause.
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Cuban Ambassador to Venezuela Dagoberto Rodríguez noted that in world history, few relationships are as exceptional as that of Vietnam and Cuba. From José Martí and President Ho Chi Minh to Fidel Castro, generations of revolutionary leaders have sown and cultivated the seeds of friendship that is now an invaluable spiritual asset for both nations.
Belarusian Deputy Prime Minister Anatoly Aleksandrovich Sivak pledged that Belarus will make every effort to implement the agreements reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders, for the benefit and prosperity of both peoples.
The legal system must provide effective tools for efficient governance and power control, prevent policy abuse for corruption and wastefulness while serving as a foundation for fast and sustainable development, the PM said.
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The Danish side praised Vietnam’s socio-economic strides, extensive global integration, and the growing comprehensive partnership and green strategic partnership between the two countries.
Party General Secretary To Lam especially commended the merits and contributions by generations of leaders, staff, reporters, technicians, and workers of the Vietnam News Agency throughout different periods, who have contributed to the revolutionary cause of the Party and nation while helping to shape the annals of Vietnam’s revolutionary press.
The 25-minute documentary portrays the VNA as the country’s “news bank,” capturing every historic moment through news reports and photographs, and honouring nearly 260 staff, reporters, and technicians who fell protecting the uninterrupted flow of information.
Party General Secretary To Lam expressed confidence in the VNA's ability to grow strongly, steer mainstream information, shape public opinion, and solidify its role as Vietnam’s national news agency and a trusted strategic information provider of the Party and State.
NA Chairman Man said that building on the achievements of the previous tenure in developing an electronic parliament, the legislature has upgraded and launched the “National Assembly 2.0” application with breakthrough advancements under the maximum support from the Ministry of Science and Technology, Viettel Group, a team of Singaporean experts.
The conference reviewed reports, discussed and adopted documents and materials, and finalised preparations for the first Congress of the NA Party Organisation for the 2025 – 2030 tenure, following the Politburo’s directions given at its meeting on September 11.
