Prime Minister calls for “highest concentration” on US-North Korea summit

On the afternoon of February 19, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc chaired a meeting to inspect preparations for the second US-North Korea Summit scheduled to be held in Hanoi on February 27 and 28.

Leaders of the Government Office, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Public Security, National Defense and Hanoi City also attended. The units reported on preparations for the conference regarding security, materials, logistics and the international press center.

The Prime Minister emphasized that this is an important international event that has received special attention from the world. "Following the success of international events organized by Vietnam such as the APEC Summit 2017 and WEF ASEAN 2018, Vietnam being chosen to host the US-North Korea Summit (2nd time) continues to affirm the country's increasingly high position, while demonstrating Vietnam's active and responsible role and contribution to international issues," he said.

The Government leader requested ministries and sectors to focus on organizing the Summit successfully; at the same time, pay attention to security and safety work as top priority; ensure the urban environment and landscape; the reception must be thoughtful and respectful; and create maximum conditions for international reporters to come to Vietnam to report on the Summit.

"Preparations need to be carried out actively and urgently, but must be detailed and careful, so that not only friends from other countries who come to attend can feel the friendliness and hospitality of the country and people of Vietnam, but also our people can better understand the significance of this Conference, the role and international prestige of the country," the Prime Minister emphasized.

He also stated that this is a valuable opportunity for Vietnam to promote its image and development achievements to international friends; it is a favorable condition to attract investment, tourism, and promote trade...

For Hanoi, the US-North Korea Summit takes place on the occasion of the 20th anniversary of the capital receiving the title "City for Peace" from UNESCO. Therefore, Hanoi must take advantage of this opportunity to promote the image of a peace-loving, friendly capital with a long-standing culture and great potential for development cooperation.

Earlier on the afternoon of February 11, at the regular Government meeting after the Lunar New Year, the Prime Minister asked the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to coordinate with relevant units to "carefully organize the second US-North Korea summit in Hanoi at the end of this month".

On February 9, US President Donald Trump announced on Twitter that the second summit with North Korean President Kim Jong-un will take place in Hanoi on February 27-28.

Previously, Mr. Trump announced Vietnam as the meeting location in his State of the Union address on February 5, but did not announce a specific city. US State Department spokesman Robert Palladino thanked Vietnam on February 7, saying that the Vietnam-US relationship is proof that two former enemies can put past conflicts behind them to become partners.