Vietnam condemns acts against innocent civilians

Foreign Ministry Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang made the statement at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on January 22 in response to questions about Vietnam’s view on the self-claimed Islamic State members taking two Japanese nationals hostage.

Vietnam also endorses the fight against extremist violence on the basis of the United Nations Charter, respecting the fundamental rights and principles of international law on independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of countries concerned and ensuring the safety of civilians, Hang said.

The official also updated the media about major foreign affairs events, including the Vietnam-US political, security, and national defense dialogue.

She responded to the US optimism about the finalization of Trans Pacific Partnership Agreement (TPP) negotiations with Vietnam by the year-end.

“For Vietnam, the TPP is one step to implement Vietnam’s comprehensive and in-depth international economic integration to promote national economic growth. Vietnam is working actively with TPP members to ensure an early finalization of the negotiation as agreed by senior leaders.

Negotiation has been accelerated and entered final stages while negotiators are narrowing their differences in a constructive manner for mutual understanding and interests. We expected the upcoming round of talks in New York from January 23 to February 2 to bring about major progress to conclude the negotiation as soon as possible.”

The deputy spokeswoman reiterated Vietnam’s view on China’s upgrade of islands in Vietnam’s continental shelf and special economic zones.

“We have sufficient legal and historical grounds to confirm our sovereignty over Hoang Sa(Paracel)
and Truong Sa (Spratly) archipelagoes. Vietnam resolutely objects and demands China to respect Vietnam’s sovereignty and seriously implement the Declaration on the Conducts of Parties in the East Sea by immediately stop its construction which destroys the status quo in Truong Sa archipelago and not to repeat similar wrongful acts,” the official said.

At the press briefing, Hang also replied to a reporters’ question on the annual dialogue on human rights between the EU and Vietnam in Brussels, Belgium on January 19.

The European Union (EU) has evaluated discussions during the annual dialogue on human rights with Vietnam as straightforward, constructive, and helpful.

The EU acknowledged the progresses that Vietnam has achieved over the past time and expressed hopes for further dialogue in a constructive and mutual understanding spirit, she said.