Deputy spokesperson for the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs Doan Khac Viet (photo: MOF)

At a regular press conference on Thursday, Mr. Viet said that Vietnam attaches great importance to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.

With the spirit of setting the past aside and looking to the future, Vietnam wishes to cooperate with the RoK to further develop their comprehensive strategic partnership, encourage practical and effective actions to overcome the consequences of war, consolidate friendship and good cooperative relations between the two countries.

Regarding the protection of 2 Vietnamese citizens missing on a fishing boat on February 4, Mr. Viet said: “The Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK says that the two missing Vietnamese sailors have not been found yet. The search and rescue work is underway. During the past days, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has visited the families of two Vietnamese sailors and informed them of consular procedures relating to citizen protection. Following the direction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in the RoK continues to follow the incident and stands ready to take protection measures to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of Vietnamese citizens.”

Concerning the earthquake in Turkey and Syria, Mr. Viet said that there has been no information about Vietnamese victims. The Vietnamese diplomatic agencies in Turkey, Iran and Syria are working with the local authorities and the Vietnamese community in Turkey to learn about the situation and take necessary protection measures.

Regarding the disagreements between the US and China over a Chinese hot air balloon incident, Mr. Viet said that Vietnam wants the US and China to continue to resolve their differences through dialogues on the basis of the UN Charter and international law to contribute to peace, stability, and development in the region and the world.