Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam hosted a reception in Hà Nội yesterday for a delegation from the Foreign Press Association (APES) in Switzerland and Liechtenstein led by its President Jean Musy. — Photo VGP

HÀ NỘI — Deputy Prime Minister Vũ Đức Đam hosted a reception in Hà Nội yesterday for a delegation from the Foreign Press Association (APES) in Switzerland and Liechtenstein led by its President Jean Musy. 

Đam informed the delegation of contemporary socio-economic developments in Việt Nam, affirming that the country would spare no effort in improving its business climate, build infrastructure, pay due attention to environment protection and education reform.

He said the success of the Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Year 2017 and the APEC Economic Leaders’ Week recently held in Việt Nam showed that greater economic connectivity, integration and free trade among economies was an inevitable trend.

He said Viet Nam’s constant wish is to build a country of peace, stability and sustainable well-being.

Introducing his organisation, Musy said that the APES was founded in 1928 and based in Geneva, Switzerland with 120 member organisations. It gathers professional journalists of different nationalities covering the latest news about Switzerland, the United Nations and international organisations in Geneva, he said.

He informed Đam that the APES and the Việt Nam Journalists’ Association (VJA) have signed a co-operation agreement for 2017-2018, under which both sides will encourage member units to increase the exchange of delegations as well as information sharing.

The APES and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) also held a workshop yesterday on increasing Việt Nam-Switzerland press exchanges.

VNA Deputy General Director Lê Quốc Minh briefed the guests on the agency’s role and mission.

The VNA was the only news agency in Việt Nam with a 2,500-member staff, including nearly 1,200 journalists. It has set up representative offices in all 63 cities and provinces nationwide. It also has offices in 30 countries. VNA has nearly 60 publications in several formats and is a member of major press networks in the region and the world, partnering with around 40 international press agencies and outlets.

The agency wishes to increase partnership with foreign press agencies, including the APES, to improve the delivery of external news, he added.

Musy said that in order to make Asian and Vietnamese news attractive to European readers, they should be more general and written in a reader-friendly style. He suggested the organisation of more cultural events to forge closer links.

Yesterday afternoon, the VJA held talks and signed a co-operation agreement for 2017-2018 with the APES.

VJA Chairman Thuận Hữu informed the guests about press activities in Việt Nam, adding that the association has expanded its partnerships with foreign press agencies in China, the Republic of Korea and ASEAN members 

The APES President said he wished to welcome more VJA delegations to Switzerland in the near future. 

The APES delegation is in Việt Nam from November 27–December 3. — VNS