Deputy PM prepares for diplomatic tour

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh will visit Canada, Bolivia, and the Eastern Republic of Uruguay from December 2–10 at the invitation of the three continental American national governments and state leaders.

The tour is designed to affirm Vietnam’s multilaterally oriented foreign policy and its desire to diversify its diplomatic relations. High level meetings will also honour the 40th anniversary of Vietnam’s diplomatic ties with Canada and 20 years of diplomatic ties with Uruguay.

A score of measures are planned for discussion, all aiming to expand cooperation in politics, economics, culture, science and technology, education and training, and trade and investment.

Romania’s 95th National Day marked

The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organizations on December 1 hosted a ceremony marking the 95th anniversary of Romania’s National Day.

Since Vietnam and Romania established diplomatic ties in 1950, the Romanian people have provided great support and valuable assistance for Vietnam in the past struggles for national independence and the current national construction.

Romania has helped train nearly 4,000 Vietnamese cadres, postgraduates and students and offered the best possible conditions for the Vietnamese community’s lives thus contributing to the stronger development of all-sided cooperation between the two nations.

The Romanian ambassador delivers a speech at the anniversary celebration.

HCM City is speeding the establishment of Vietnam-Romania Friendship Association which will act as a bridge for promoting the two countries’ friendship.

Addressing the ceremony, Romanian ambassador to Vietnam Valeriu Arteni said Vietnam holds a special position in his country’s external policy and is a leading trade partner in ASEAN.

He said he hopes the two countries will effectively tap potential for broader cooperation in line with the two peoples’ expectation.

The same day, a gathering celebrating the event took place in Hanoi.

Chairman of the Vietnam-Romania Friendship Association Tong Van Nga said Vietnam and Romania are preparing for the meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Sci-tech and Trade Cooperation.

Two-way trade in January-September hit US$32.7 million.

Both nations have made progress in cross cultural exchanges and political, economic and cultural cooperation, he noted.

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh vowed all possible support for Vietnam – Canada joint farming projects while receiving Canadian Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food Gerry Ritz in Hanoi on November 29.

Deputy PM Ninh expressed his satisfaction with bilateral partnership over the past time, especially in agriculture and food security. He noted that Canada’s financial assistance to Vietnam has given a boost to its socio-economic development.

The deputy PM affirmed that Vietnam welcomes Canada’s active contributions to the Asia-Pacific, Southeast Asia and Vietnam. He made it clear that Vietnam attaches importance to its relationship with Canada, hoping that it will prosper for the sake of the two peoples.

He asked for Canada’s continued support to the second stage of the farm produce and food quality control project in Vietnam, thus rolling it out to many localities across the nation.

The Canadian minister proposed stronger technical cooperation in farming, farm produce processing and fields of both sides’ strength.

In the coming time, Vietnam and Canada need to review the past work and design plans to gradually elevate their ties, the guest stressed.

Meeting reviews Vietnam’s efforts for ASEAN community

Vietnam must thoroughly assess the opportunities and challenges that can arise after the ASEAN Community comes into being on December 31, 2015 aiming to help its agencies, localities and businesses fully prepare for their engagement in the community.

Delegates made the suggestion at an inter-sectoral meeting in Hanoi on November 29 to review Vietnam’s involvement in ASEAN cooperation this year and set orientations for its partnership with the bloc in 2014.

They hailed Vietnam’s efforts this year to promote the bloc’s solidarity, friendship, cooperation and prestige.

Specifically, the country has joined with other member nations in effectively rolling out regional priorities as scheduled while contributing to ASEAN’s key decisions, including mapping out directions for the bloc’s future development.

Vietnam has worked hard to fulfill national responsibilities towards the association’s common goals, ensuring its commitments made in the past are met, especially in economics. So far, Vietnam has fulfilled 84.8 percent of its goals towards the establishment of the ASEAN Economic Community for the 2008-2013 period, ranking fourth behind Singapore , Malaysia and Thailand.

During the year, the country has upheld its role as the Chair of the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) Task Group and Coordinator for the ASEAN – EU dialogue relations for the 2012-2015 period.

It has also worked closely with other coordinators to lift relations with ASEAN partners to greater heights, especially with Thailand to bolster the ASEAN – China relations, including dealing with the East Sea issue and pushing for the building of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

The country has contributed to regional joint efforts to deal with challenges, especially non-traditional security challenges like natural calamities, epidemics and trans-national crimes. Based on Vietnam’s proposal, the 23 rd ASEAN Summit adopted the ASEAN Declaration on Mutual Assistance on Natural Disasters.

Concluding the meeting, Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh said as an active and responsible ASEAN member, Vietnam needs to contribute more to ASEAN’s joint efforts in realising the community as scheduled, expanding ties with partners and upholding the grouping’s central role in important issues related to regional peace, security and development.

Ukraine wants to boost ties with Vietnam

Ukraine is ready to strengthen multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, primarily in economics, trade, investment, information technology, education, and cultural exchange.

Foreign Minister Leonid Kozhara made the statement at a recent reception in Kiev for Vietnamese ambassador Ho Dac Minh Nguyet.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s international integration achievements, as well as the Vietnamese embassy’s contributions to boosting the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries over the years.

Both countries need to convene the 14th session of their inter-governmental committee as soon as possible to work out measures to increase bilateral trade and investment ties, Kozhara said.

He expressed hope the two countries’ Foreign Ministries will promote cooperation in the coming time, especially at international forums.  

He conveyed his greetings to Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh following his appointment as Deputy Prime Minister of Vietnam, and said he is looking forward to receiving State President Truong Tan Sang and Deputy PM cum Foreign Minister Minh in Kiev very soon.

Outgoing ambassador Nguyen thanked Ukraine for supporting Vietnam’s UN Human Rights Council membership bid for 2014-2016, and assured his host Vietnam will work closely with Ukraine to implement specific measures to strengthen bilateral relations.

Vietnamese ambassador presents credentials

Vietnam’s non-resident Ambassador to Papua New Guinea Nguyen Xuan Thuy has presented his credentials to Papua New Guinea’s Governor-General Michael Ogio, representative of Queen Elizabeth II.

Governor-General Ogio greatly valued the friendship between Vietnam and Papua New Guinea and applauded what Vietnam has achieved over the years. He also affirmed his country’s determination to boost bilateral cooperation in agriculture, fisheries and tourism.

Ogio underlined the need to promote high-level exchange between technical experts as Vietnam’s construction and development model matches Papua New Guinea’s current situation.

He passed on his thanks to Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang for strongly supporting his country in hosting the APEC Summit in 2018, adding that his country wants to learn about Vietnam’s experience in preparation for the summit.

Ambassador Thuy also paid courtesy visits to Papua New Guinea’s Prime Minister and Minister for Trade, Commerce and Industry, and met with Indonesian and Japanese ambassadors to the country.

Deputy PM: VN welcomes NGOs

The Vietnamese Party and State would continue to welcome non-governmental organisations (NGOs) to work in Viet Nam with a raft of incentives, especially in priority areas for national development.

Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the statement at a reception in Ha Noi on Friday for representatives from foreign NGOs, who are here to attend the third international conference on their co-operation with Viet Nam.

Informing his guests that Viet Nam was making the most of the financial assistance provided by NGOs, Minh sought closer co-ordination with them in poverty reduction, education, healthcare and post-war recovery, with long-term and sustainable funding.

Foreign NGO representatives praised Viet Nam's renewal process, industrialisation and modernisation, as well as in improving people's living standards and social equality.

They called on Viet Nam to simplify and publicise administrative procedures relevant to their operations so that they were able to run their projects more efficiently.

The guests vowed to stand side by side with Viet Nam on its path of socio-economic advancement.

Vietnam attends East Sea workshop in Australia

A Vietnamese representative gave historical evidence asserting Vietnam’s sovereignty over its two groups of East Sea islands, Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel), at a workshop in New South Wales on December 30.

The evidence has been clearly stated in main history, codified documents, geography books, formal documents by central and local governments in the 19th century, and in many Western documents in the 19th century, said historian Nguyen Nha.

East Sea workshop in Australia. (Photo: VNA)

Honorary Professor Carlyle Thayer of New South Wales University also presented legal foundations and practical policies to settle East Sea disputes.

He spoke of the geo-strategic significance of the two groups of East Sea islands, the role of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as ways both ASEAN and China uphold to address the issue.

Questions were raised at the workshop, focusing on measures to settle marine disputes between Vietnam and China, international law’s role, and values of historical evidence collected by Vietnam in supporting the settlement.  

Historian Nguyen Nha suggested diplomacy as the main solution to the current dispute.  

The workshop drew the participation of international experts, and Vietnamese nationals and students in Australia.

Viet Nam, France boost defence cooperation

Viet Nam and France have agreed to increase their defence co-operation, particularly in exchanges of delegations, training, defence industries, and maritime security.

The two countries reached agreement during the fourth session of the Viet Nam-France Joint Committee on National Defence Co-operation in Paris last week.

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh co-chaired the meeting with French Army Deputy Chief of Staff Senior Lieutenant General Gratien Maire.

During the meeting, Vinh noted that the recent upgrading of the Viet Nam - France relationship to a strategic partnership demonstrates the two nations' closer ties and lays firm foundations for wider future co-operation, especially in the field of national defence.

General Maire also repeated his nation's willingness to back Viet Nam's efforts to defend its sovereignty and fulfil its Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

The French also pledged to continue supporting Viet Nam's International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO) membership bid, share its UN peacekeeping deployment experience, and will help the country in the clearance of unexploded ordnance.

Vietnam Fatherland Front leader visits Laos

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Nguyen Thien Nhan has praised the Vietnamese Embassy and the overseas Vietnamese (OV) community in Laos for their successful integration into their host country.

The VFF leader made the appraisal at a meeting with overseas Vietnamese people at the embassy’s headquarters in Vientiane on December 1 as part of his two-day visit to Laos.

He informed OVs about Vietnam’s socio-economic situation over the recent past, stressing the success of the freshly-concluded sixth session of the National Assembly.

During the sitting, the legislature touched upon many important issues, especially the approval of the revised Constitution, he said, noting that this legal document emphasises OVs as an integral component of the Vietnamese population.

Nhan voiced his hope that the overseas Vietnamese community will contribute more to the national construction at home as well as the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier, Nhan met with Lao Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Saynhasone on November 30, during which he affirmed that the front, together with the Party and people of Vietnam, will do its utmost to foster the special relationship.

He briefed his host on the outcomes of his talks with leaders of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), saying the two sides agreed to enhance their comprehensive cooperation and implement their cooperative agreements during the 2011-2016 period.

For his part, President Saynhasone expressed his hope that Nhan, in his new post as VFF President, will contribute further to strengthening the special ties between the neighbours.

During his visit to Laos, which was made at the invitation of LFNC Central Committee, Nhan, on behalf of President Truong Tan Sang, presented seven Independence Orders of different classes to LFNC leaders and many friendship orders and medals to Lao front officials, who have greatly contributed to the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity.

Laos congratulated on National Day

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on December 1 cabled a congratulatory message to the Lao leaders on their country’s 38 th National Day (December 2).

The message was sent to Choummaly Sayasone, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and President; Thongsing Thammavong, Prime Minister; and Pany Yathotou, Chairwoman of the National Assembly.

In the message, the Vietnamese leaders expressed their delight at major successes that the fraternal Lao people have gained in their national construction and defence under the sound leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP).

The leaders wrote that they are proud of the great friendship, special, faithful and pure solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people, which were founded and nurtured by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane along with generations of leaders of both nations, and have become an invaluable asset for their later generations.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Chairman of the Vietnam – Laos Cooperation Sub-committee Nguyen Xuan Phuc cabled congratulations to Deputy Prime Minister cum Head of the Laos-Vietnam Cooperation Sub-committee Somsavat Lengsavad.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan also extended their greetings to Deputy Prime Minister, Foreign Minister and head of the LPRP Central Committee’s Commissions for External Relations Thongloun Sisoulith.

Ha Noi party chief visits European capitals

Visits to the European capital cities of Moscow, Warsaw, Prague and Budapest by a Ha Noi delegation, have been labeled a resounding success.

Leading the delegation was Pham Quang Nghi, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee.

In Russia, Ha Noi's Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Pham Quang Nghi met with Ivan Melnikov, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma and Vice Chairman of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of the Russian Federation (KPRF).

He also held talks with Moscow leaders, visited the Rossiskaya Gazeta newspaper headquarters and attended the inauguration of the Ha Noi-Moscow Culture, Trading and Hotel Centre.

Further, during their tour of Poland, the delegation paid a courtesy call on Vice Speaker of the Polish Lower House, met the Governor of Mazowieckie Province and spoke with leaders of Warsaw city and the President of the Democratic Left Alliance of Poland.

In the Czech Republic, the delegation held working sessions with the Vice President of the Communist Party of the Czech Republic and Moravia and leaders of Prague, during which the two sides agreed to strengthen co-operation in urban management and the preservation of cultural heritage, as well as economics and tourism.

As part of the visit to Hungary, the delegation was received by the Budapest Mayor and the President of the Budapest-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentarian Association.

VN joins AIPA delegation for Japan visit

Vietnamese representatives joined an ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) delegation during a visit to Japan last week.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Ha Thi Khiet, Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee, who is also a deputy from Ha Giang Province in the National Assembly.

The AIPA delegation, headed by Lao National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Pany Yathoutou, who is the AIPA Chairwoman, paid courtesy visits to the Speakers of Japan's House of Councillors and House of Representatives, met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, and held discussions with members of the Japan-ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Exchange Group.

Further, Japanese leaders extended their condolences to the Philippines and its neighbours due to the devastating impacts of super typhoon Haiyan.

They also reiterated that Japan wanted to further improve its strategic partnership with ASEAN and was ready to share experiences and help ASEAN countries in various fields.

Yathoutou said she highly valued Japan's support for the building of an ASEAN Community, especially initiatives on ASEAN integration and connectivity. She also reiterated her commitment to furthering cooperation between the Governments, parliaments and people of ASEAN countries and Japan.

Also during the visit, the Vietnamese delegation met with President of the Japan - Viet Nam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance Toshihiro Nikai. Representatives of the two countries agreed to work to strengthen the Viet Nam-Japan strategic partnership and maintain close ties between the two parliaments and their parliamentary friendship groups.

Representatives noted that Vietnam appreciated the assistance given by Japan, which is now the largest investor in the country.

Officials noted that Japan was enthusiastic about boosting cultural exchanges and agricultural cooperation with Viet Nam and wants the country to maintain its determination to establish a Viet Nam-Japan university.

Conference reviews normative legal act law enforcement

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the Ministry of Justice to work closely with relevant agencies to improve how laws regulating documents are enforced.

Phuc was speaking at a November 30 conference the Ministry of Justice organised in Hanoi to review the enforcement of laws regulating normative legal acts.

Phuc stressed the need to focus on fostering a competitive business environment, advancing administrative reform, proactively pursuing international integration, and respecting and defending Vietnamese citizens’ human rights.

The law on normative legal acts should preserve the intended policy-making process. Drafting and promulgating all legislation must accord with its decrees, including those issued by the Government.

The Party’s guidelines and State policies should be reflected in practical, realistic, and appropriate regulations.

Deputy Minister of Justice Dinh Trung Tung said the drafting the law on normative legal acts occured in conjunction with revising the 1992 Constitution. It paves identifies agencies in charge of issuing normative legal acts, reforming the law making process and enhancing democracy and transparency in drafting legislation.

It also tightens discipline to ensure the quality of new laws and clarify the responsibilities of state agencies to enforce the Constitution and other legislation.  

Central State agencies have issued more than 5,200 law-regulated documents thus far, covering almost all areas of social life.

WB calls for re-think on staff training

Skills gaps and shortages plus information barriers are the main challenges to labour mobility in Viet Nam, a development report by the World Bank reveals.

The report, released at a conference in Ha Noi on Friday, highlights the fact that many Vietnamese firms have a shortage of skilled workers.

The skills needed most are technical, then cognitive skills, such as problem-solving and critical thinking. Behavioural skills, such as team work and communication, are also in demand.

"Equipping the workforce with the right skills is an important part of Viet Nam's effort to accelerate economic growth," said Christian Bodewig, human-development leader from the World Bank in central Europe and the Baltics - and the report's main author.

Participants at the conference, including State leaders and education experts, agreed with Bodewig, stressing the need to forge much stronger links between enterprises, schools and students.

Minister of Education Pham Vu Luan said that more students at training schools and colleges should be mobilised to work as interns for enterprises so that they could acquire practical skills.

Bui Tuan Anh, general director of the Department of Higher Education, said some medical and business colleges in Viet Nam had adapted their training curricula to market demand and forged links with hospitals and enterprises.

But generally in most fields, he said that the link remained weak.

He said enterprises needed to provide schools with information about their specific skills demands, so that they could design suitable training programmes.

Experts agreed on the need for enterprises to get more involved in training, including increasing investment in training centres and schools.

Tuan Anh, however, asked how enterprises could be made to invest more in education.

Cao Van Sam, deputy director of the General Department of Vocational Training, said the Government should have incentives to encourage enterprises to invest in training centres and schools.

Sam implied that only practical incentives in the form of benefits brought practical results. Many at the conference agreed.

"Rather than planning and managing the education and training system centrally and top-down, the role of the Government is to help to ensure a better information flow between employers, schools and universities and students, and to enhance capacity and set the right incentives by freeing up universities to partner more effectively with businesses," said Bodewig.

Vu Tien Loc, chairman of the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, proposed setting up a national skills-training committee, just like the national salary committee that was established earlier this year.

He said the committee should involve representatives from State authorities, training centres and enterprises and be used to propose suitable policies and strategies about training standards and curricula.

Japan's official development assistance (ODA) had been used effectively in Viet Nam and made a major contribution to the country's socio-economic development, particularly in infrastructure, economics, education, and science and technology.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc made the remarks during his meeting with Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Mori Mutsuya in Ha Noi on Friday.

Lauding the burgeoning growth in Viet Nam-Japan relations, he said he believed that bilateral ties would be strengthened in all fields, particularly in human resources and infrastructure.

The Deputy PM expressed his wish that Japan would continue its ODA provision for Viet Nam at a high level and co-operate with the country in carrying out important socio-economic projects.

For his part, Mutsuya spoke highly of Viet Nam's achievements in recent years.

He said that he would work to bolster the two sides' relations in economics, science and technology and education and training.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA