The EU has always been a leading partner with priorities in Vietnam's foreign policies, says National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung.

The Vietnam Petroleum Association (VPA) has spoken out against a Chinese oil company, claiming that it has seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty.

An entourage from Vietnam’s National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee is on a six-day visit to Italy, from July 27 to June 2, to share best practice on dealing with voters’ complaints.

The Vietnam Lawyers Association has released a statement opposing the invitation for bids for nine lots in the East Sea by the Chinese National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).

Secretary of Ho Chi Minh City’s Party Committee Le Thanh Hai met with Laos’ National Assembly Chairwoman Pani Zathotou on June 28 as part of his visit to the ‘HCM City Days in Vientiane’.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has paid a two-day official visit to Belgium on June 27-28 at the invitation of Belgium’s Deputy Prime Minister cum Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders.

State President Truong Tan Sang on June 28 visited the Cai Mep International Terminal in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

International scholars have affirmed that there is no legal foundation for China’s declaration of sovereignty over almost all of the East Sea area and that its U-shaped line is unreasonable.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung will pay an official visit to Lao People’s Democratic Republic from July 3-5.

A Vietnam National Assembly leader has asked the US to soon recognise Vietnam’s market economy status and grant the Generalised System of Preferences (GPS) to the country.

Vietnam and the European Union (EU) signed a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) in Brussels on June 27, opening a new chapter in bilateral relations.

China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC)’s invitation for international bids is an illegal activity of no value, which seriously violates the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and does not comply with international oil and gas practices.

Following the adoption of Vietnam's Law on the Sea by the National Assembly on June 21, a VGP (Vietnam Government Web Portal) reporter interviewed Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on the content of the Law.

Luxembourg supports the EU's recognition of Vietnam’s market-based economy, says Deputy Prime Minister cum Foreign Minister Jean Asselborn.

An international conference on building a border of peace and friendship between Vietnam and Laos was held in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on June 26.

Vietnam strongly protests and requests that China cease the invitation of international bids for 09 oil and gas lots within Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has reaffirmed Vietnam’s policy of developing nuclear power for peaceful purposes and a green economy.

The United Nations mission in Vietnam on June 25 congratulated the Government and National Assembly for passing a number of important laws during its recent session for the benefit of the general population’s health and well-being.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh and his Chinese counterpart, Cheng Gouping on June 25 concluded a two day meeting in Hanoi of senior officials from ASEAN and China on the implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the East Sea.

A meeting was held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia on June 25 to celebrate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year and the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties (1967-2012).

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) participated the 17th Meeting of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) Standing Committee in Baku, Azerbaijan on June 22-23.

Finance Minister Vuong Dinh Hue is visiting Laos from June 23-27 as one of the activities to mark the 2012 Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year.

The upcoming Ministerial Forum on Vietnam-Latin America Trade and Investment, scheduled for July 5-6 in Hanoi, will create a breakthrough to accelerate and deepen bilateral relations for mutual benefits.

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan on June 23 visited the Vietnam-Thailand Friendship Village, President Ho Chi Minh relic, and Vietnamese nationals in Nakhon Phanom province.  

The central city of Danang and central coastal city of Khanh Hoa have expressed strong opposition to China’s decision to establish the so-called Sansha city that administratively covers Danang’s Hoang Sa island district and Khanh Hoa’s Truong Sa island district.

Top Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders have exchanged congratulatory messages marking the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic between the two countries.

The Lao Party, State and people will do their best to enhance the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam.

Vietnam and Thailand, the world’s two largest rice exporters, have agreed to increase the sharing of information on rice exports to stabilise the food market and maintain food security.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to the age-old relationship and multifaceted cooperation with Myanmar.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has introduced an initiative to establish “green economic centres” in different regions around the world.