Implementation of the agreement in the 4th Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group meeting (June/2013), the 5th Vietnam-Vatican Joint Working Group meeting was held in Hanoi on September 10-11. The meeting was co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, head of the Vietnamese delegation, and Under-Secretary for Relations with States Antoine Camilleri, head of the Vatican delegation.
At the conference, the Vatican side thanked the Vietnamese authorities at all levels for helping Viet Nam’s Catholic Church over the past years as well as recognizing the progress made on Vietnam’s religious policy, as evidenced in the Constitution 2013.
The Vatican side declared that the Vatican highly valued developing ties with Viet Nam in particular and Asia in general, as demonstrated by Pope Francis’ visits to the continent in recent time and in the upcoming time.
The Vatican expressed its wish to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam and, together with Vietnam’s Catholic Church, participate in the country’s developmental process through its fields such as healthcare, education, and humanitarian and charitable activities.
The Vietnamese side asserted that the Party and State of Vietnam persistently pursued and constantly refined its policies on respecting and guaranteeing people’s rights to freedom of belief and religion as well as highly appreciated the active participation of the Vietnam Catholic Church in the nation-building and socio-economic development process.
Both sides reiterated the application of the principles of “living the gospel amongst the heart of the nation” and “a good Catholic must be a good citizen”. The Vatican side noted that Pope Francis always closely followed the development of Vietnam-Vatican ties and encouraged the Catholic community in Vietnam to continue to do more for their country.
Both sides agreed that the Vietnam-Vatican relations have developed positively, as demonstrated by the numerous contacts established at all levels, results of the annual meetings of the Vietnam - Vatican Joint Working Groups, and activities of the non-resident special envoy of the Vatican in Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to continue to uphold dialogues and close contacts, whilst working to facilitate the activities of the non-resident special envoy of the Vatican in Vietnam.
Both sides agreed to hold the sixth meeting of the Vietnam-Vatican joint working group in the Vatican. On this occasion, the Vatican delegation also paid courtesy visits to Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Phạm Bình Minh, and Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Chairman of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Phạm Dũng. The delegation also visited some Catholic worshiping places in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
