The Vietnamese Embassy in New Zealand hosted a ceremony in Wellington on August 31 to mark the country’s 65 th National Day, on September 2.
Speaking at the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand Vuong Hai Nam highlighted the outstanding achievements that the Vietnamese people have made over the past 65 years, especially since the beginning of the renewal process.
He also reviewed the developments in the relationship between Vietnam and New Zealand since the two countries established diplomatic ties 35 years ago. Both countries had agreed to raise their relationship to a “comprehensive partnership” during an official visit to New Zealand by Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, in September 2009.
Both Foreign Ministers also signed an action plan for the future just after New Zealand ’s Prime Minister John Key visited Vietnam in July 2010.
On behalf of the New Zealand government, the Minister for Courts, Disarmament and Arms Control, Georgina Te Heuheu, said that she was pleased at the level of bilateral ties reached in recent years and emphasised the potential for cooperation in bilateral and multilateral frameworks.
The minister pledged New Zealand ’s continued assistance to Vietnam in investments, trade, education and training, environment, health and poverty reduction.
She confirmed that New Zealand will continue to support Vietnam at regional and international forums, including the negotiations for the trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP).
As part of the activities to mark the National Day, the Embassy will liaise with the Vietnamese Students’ Association in Wellington to hold an event entitled “A night in Vietnam ” on September 3.
Later the same day, the Vietnamese Association in Cambodia (VAC) held a meeting in Phnom Penh to celebrate the nation’s important anniversaries.
The president of the VAC, Tran Van Toi, said that he was proud of the country’s ongoing development and integration and conveyed the Vietnamese community’s confidence in the Party’s leadership, the State and the Government during national construction.
On the occasion, the VAC launched a movement to ensure solidarity and mutual support amongst Vietnamese people living in Cambodia , as well as helping to build a peaceful and stable society in their host country.
The Vietnamese Association in Vientiane , Laos , also organised a concert featuring Quan Ho singers from Bac Ninh on August 31 to mark the event.
Earlier on August 30, the Vietnamese Embassy in Thailand held a ceremony in Bangkok to mark National Day in the presence of Speaker of the Thai Senate Prasopsuk Boondej and Deputy Prime Minister Trairong Suwanakhiri.
The Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand , Ngo Duc Thang, stated that September 2, 1945 marked a milestone in Vietnam ’s long history, as it brought independence and freedom to Vietnam after many years of oppression.
Vietnam is ASEAN Chair in 2010 and the country is hosting a range of activities to mark the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, he said, adding that these events offer the country an opportunity to promote its image as a peaceful, politically stable country that is rapidly developing, to international friends.
On the country’s 65 th National Day, Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Do Trong Cuong, delivered a speech highlighting the recent developments in the traditional relationship between Vietnam and Algeria .
He noted that bilateral ties have been consolidated by the exchange of visits by both countries’ top leaders, especially the visit to Vietnam by Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika in 2000, Prime Minister Phan Van Khai’s visit in 2004 as well as the recent visit to Algeria by President Nguyen Minh Triet.
The Vietnam-Algeria and Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Associations as well as the Vietnam-Algeria and Algeria-Vietnam Parliamentarians’ Groups have been set up to help strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries, he added.
Two-way trade between Vietnam and Algeria increased from over 6 million USD in 2000 to 100 million USD in 2008./.
