HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc yesterday visited the International Media Centre (IMC) in Hà Nội to inspect preparations ahead of this week’s DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit.

At a working session with relevant ministries and agencies, PM Phúc stressed the summit is a prominent international event for regional and global peace which has attracted worldwide attention.

He praised the efforts of ministries, sectors, agencies and companies in preparing the best conditions for the DPRK and US delegations, while promoting the images of a friendly country as well as cultural identity and lifestyle of the Vietnamese people.

The PM showed his pleasure at the progress, stressing the need to ensure absolute safety for foreign guests visiting Hà Nội and Việt Nam.

PM Phúc asked authorised agencies to continue keeping a close watch on the progress, completing all plans and finish all work before the delegations arrive in Việt Nam.

Highlighting the significant role played by the media in polularising the nation and Hà Nội – the City for Peace, the Government leader asked domestic and foreign press agencies to report more news about Việt Nam’s achievements after 30 years of reform and the images of a friendly, independent, self-reliant and prosperous Việt Nam.

At a working session with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday to review the preparations, PM Phúc applauded efforts of the ministry in guiding and promoting relevant ministries, agencies, sectors and localities in preparing for the event and urged the ministry to continue directing and working closely with them in order to ensure a successful summit. 

With experience in organising many important events of foreign affairs for the country, the ministry must closely follow high-ranking leaders’ guidelines and mobilise its whole units and staff, including assigning personnel to work around the clock, he said.

Deputy Foreign Minister Lê Hoài Trung reported that the ministry has so far basically completed preparations for the summit in all spheres, particularly ensuring security and registration procedures for more than 2,600 foreign reporters covering the event.

Media centre opening

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh cut the ribbon to inaugurate the international media centre on Saturday.

Located at the Cultural Friendship Palace at No. 91 Trần Hưng Đạo Street, the centre will officially go live on February 26, a day before the two-day Summit.

It is capable of hosting more than 3,000 reporters and is equipped with full modern facilities to serve the press.

Speaking at the event, Deputy PM Minh said work on the media centre has been completed in just over a week thanks to the close coordination of ministries and agencies.

He said that Việt Nam was now ready for the second DPRK-USA Hanoi Summit to be held in the capital city from February 27-28 as well as relevant bilateral activities.

He assured the media that with state-of-the-art equipment, the centre will allow them to work in a fast and effective way. It will be open round-the-clock with dining, working and functional spaces.

A display space on Việt Nam’s culture and several stalls introducing Vietnamese enterprises will be at the centre.

Earlier the same day, PM Phúc also checked the security control centre for the summit.

Chairman of Hà Nội People’s Committee Nguyễn Đức Chung yesterday held a meeting with relevant ministries and agencies on the preparations.

He confirmed that all tasks serving the summit have been basically completed but asked for checks and reviews to ensure the best conditions.

Safety for the summit was a top priority, he said.

The Hà Nội Department of Transport has postponed construction of transport projects in the city from February 24 to March 1 as part of the city’s efforts in serving the summit.

Meanwhile the Hà Nội Traffic Police has mobilised more than 1,000 officers to ensure traffic safety and order for the international delegations. — VNS