Late former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet

International media continued to report on the passing of former Prime Minister Vo Van Kiet, hailing his contributions to Vietnam’s renewal process and economic development.

With the title “Vo Van Kiet: Reformist Vietnamese premier”, the Independent of the UK on June 13 emphasised that he served as Vietnam's prime minister between 1991 and 1997 - a period of remarkable transformation for the Southeast Asian country. As premier, he was behind a number of policies designed to attract billions of USD in foreign investment, expand foreign trade and push the economy to grow at an annual rate of more than 8 percent. The paper attributed former PM Kiet’s contributions to the normalisation of relations between Vietnam and the US in 1995.

While, the UK-based Guardian said on its website that former PM Vo Van Kiet will be remembered as the architect of the Vietnam’s economic transformation in the 1990s, lifting the country out of its prolonged postwar stagnation.

The Beijing Radio of China reported that in his telegraph of condolence sent to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao stressed that former PM Vo Van Kiet has made great contributions to Vietnam’s national liberation and construction and strived tirelessly for the friendship between China and Vietnam.

El Pais, the largest circulation paper in Spain, on June 13 commented that former PM Vo Van Kiet was the author of amazing economic achievements in Vietnam, helping millions of people out of poverty. The paper also spoke highly of his contributions to normalising relations between Vietnam and the US, paving the way for Vietnam integrate into the international community.

Spanish websites EcoDiario.es and Gaceta.es noted that former PM Vo Van Van Kiet was a dynamic leader and an architect of changes in the Vietnamese economy in the 1990s of the 20th century.

On June 14, US Ambassador to Vietnam Michael W. Michalak expressed sadness over the death of former PM Vo Van Kiet, and extended condolences to his family, as well as to the Government and the people of Vietnam, on his passing.

“Vietnam has lost a visionary leader who inspired his fellow citizens to achieve great things. As Prime Minister from 1991 to 1997, the Government undertook reforms that overtime helped lift many millions of Vietnamese out of poverty,” the Ambassador said in his statement on the death of former PM Kiet.

“Mr. Kiet also played an instrumental, leading role in helping normalise relations between the US and Vietnam in 1995. We highly valued our relationship with Vietnam and, in testament to Mr. Kiet’s legacy, look forward to further broadening and deepening our ties in the coming years,” it added.

Source: VNA