Viet Nam, Vatican promote relations
VGP - Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang on Tuesday hosted a reception for Archbishop Marek Zalewski, the first Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam.
Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang (R) hosts a reception for Archbishop Marek Zalewski, Ha Noi, February 6, 2024 - Photo: The Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Le expressed her delight on active developments in Viet Nam-Vatican relations via high-level meetings and contacts within the Viet Nam-Vatican Joint Working Group mechanism.
The adoption of the "Agreement on Regulations on Operation of the Resident Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Viet Nam" during President Vo Van Thuong's Vatican visit in July 2023 marks an important development step in the relationship between Viet Nam and the Vatican, she said.
Viet Nam's functional agencies will support the Archbishop to successfully carry out his tasks, contributing to promoting relations between Viet Nam and the Vatican, strengthening linkages between the Vatican and the Catholic Church in Viet Nam, as well as making contributions to the national development, the diplomat emphasized.
Archbishop Marek Zalewski, for his part, expressed thanks to the assistance provided by Viet Nam's functional agencies while serving as the Vatican's non-resident special envoy to the country.
He expected that Viet Nam will continue facilitating the activities of the Resident Papal Representative and the Office of the Permanent Representative of the Holy See in Viet Nam, to successfully complete the mission assigned by Pope Francis.
He vowed to do his utmost to increase high-level contacts and dialogues on the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding and strengthen ties between the Holy See and Viet Nam as well as with the Viet Nam Catholic Church.
Late last year, Pope Francis appointed Archbishop Marek Zalewski as the first Resident Papal Representative in Viet Nam./.
