Headliners

Vietnam’s imprint in Vladivostok

14/09/2012

At the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit 2012 held on September 8-9, 2012 in Valadivostok, a coastal city in Russia’s Far East, State President Truong Tan Sang presented global agendas at the summit that drew the attention of international public opinion and received much applause.

The return visit to Russia by State President Truong Tan Sang took place nearly two months after his official visit to the country in late July. For this reason, the feeling and stories about the two countries, Vietnam and Russia – two comprehensive strategic partners and two traditional reliable friends, seemed to be kept intact in the mind of the two leaders. Probably, it was one of the catalysts for Vietnam, Russia and other APEC economic members to organize a successful summit as Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said: “The summit obtained many achievements and key agreements, creating a new impetus for regional cooperation and connectivity”.

State President Truong Tan Sang presents global agendas at the summit that drew much attention of
the international public opinion and received much applause. Photo: Nguyen Khang
Russian President Vladimir Putin receives State President Truong Tan Sang at APEC 2012.
Photo: Nguyen Khang
State President Truong Tan Sang and heads of delegations from APEC members at the summit.
Photo: Nguyen Khang
State President Truong Tan Sang speaks at the discussion on “Water: A New Global Strategic Resource”.
Photo: Nguyen Khang
State President Truong Tan Sang, Russian President Vladimir Putin and US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at
the first private session on regional economic connectivity at APEC 2012. Photo: Nguyen Khang
State President Truong Tan Sang joins APEC leaders in a dialogue with the APEC
Business Advisory Council (ABAC). Photo: Nguyen Khang

APEC Summit 2012 was held in the context when the economy’s recovery in the region and the world has slowed down while global challenges become more severe. Therefore, the Vietnamese delegation actively participated in activities and closely coordinated with the host country and economic members to contribute to the success of the summit.

At the summit, State President Truong Tan Sang and the Japanese Prime Minister delivered speeches at an important discussion on “Food Security and Creative Growth”. Furthermore, the Vietnamese leader and the Chilean President co-chaired the meeting on the theme of “Water: A new global strategic resource” with regional leading groups.

Being a nation that is connected closely to the water rice cultivtion and one of the major countries providing food to the world, Vietnam shared its experiences on coping with global challenges related to food security and water resource protection and proposed that agricultural development and food security be considered an important content of the national renovation and development.

State President Truong Tan Sang meets with Chinese Party General Secretary and State President
of China Hu Jintao on the sideline of APEC 2012. Photo: Nguyen Khang

State President Truong Tan Sang meets with Austrian Prime Minister Julia Gillard on the sideline of APEC 2012.
Photo: Nguyen Khang

State President Truong Tan Sang talks with South Korean President Lee Myung-bak. Photo: Nguyen Khang

State President Truong Tan Sang meets with his Philipino counterpart Benigno Aquino. Photo: Nguyen Khang

The summit shared Vietnam’s proposals on the need to have a multi-branch and general approach, closely connecting food security with efforts to implement the Millennial Targets, coping with climate change, sustainably exploiting, using and managing natural resources, including water, ocean and marine resources. APEC Members highly appreciated the role and important contribution of Vietnam to ensuring food security and water resources within international and regional cooperation.

One of the most considerable contributions of Vietnam at the summit was that Vietnam proposed many measures on strengthening regional economic connectivity, reliable supplying chains and promoting creative growth with a focus on cooperation to cope with natural calamities, marine safety and security and rescue on the sea. Vietnam suggested APEC should further boost coordination with other connected mechanisms in the region and support sub-regional cooperation and ASEAN connectivity.

At the summit, the members highly appreciated and supported Vietnam’s plan to host APEC 12 towards celebrating 20 years of Vietnam joining the forum and marking APEC 25.

On this occasion, State President Truong Tan Sang meets with leaders of the US groups. Photo: Nguyen Khang
State President meets with Victor Ishayev, Plenipotentiary Presidential Envoy to the Far East Federal District and Minister for the Development of the Far East. Photo: Nguyen Khang
State President Truong Tan Sang attends and speaks at the Vietnam-Russia Business Forum on “Developing trade and investment relations in the Far East, Russia”. Photo: Nguyen Khang

On this occasion, apart from major activities Vietnam had many bilateral contacts with important partners. For the host country, together with the visit to Russia in late July, the participation of Vietnam in this summit contributed to deepening the comprehensive strategic relations between the two countries. That was clearly improved by the signing of a completed proceedings of impact research to start the negotiation of Trade Freedom Agreement between Vietnam and Customs Union in the first quarter of 2013. The exchanges with leaders of the Far East and Vietnam-Russia Business Forum ushered into a great cooperation potential between the two countries in general and in the Far East in particular.

The practical contribution of Vietnam’s delegation at APEC 2012 together with bilateral activities helped deepen the relations with important partners, contributing to the consolidation security and development of the country as well as enhancing the position and image of Vietnam.

Story: VNP - Photo: VNA

Story: VNP - Photo: VNA