Hanoi, Vientiane strengthen ties

A delegation of Hanoi, led by Pham Quang Nghi, Secretary of Hanoi Municipal Party Committee, is paying a working visit to Vientiane, Laos, on December 8-12.

Nghi held talks with the Mayor cum Secretary of the municipal Party Committee of Vientiane Soukan Mahalath, on December 8.

Reviewing cooperation between the two capital cities, the two sides noted with satisfaction that their ties have developed comprehensively across various fields.

The two cities have maintained regular exchanges of high-ranking delegations to share experience and boost bilateral ties.

A number of socio-economic projects have been implemented effectively, with typical examples being the Vientiane-Hanoi Friendship Vocational School and Vientiane Politics - Public Administration School. Besides, Hanoi is assisting Vientiane in agro-forestry, health care, education-training and culture-information.

In the coming time, the leaders agree to continue their close coordination and mutual support, thus contributing to the growth of relations between the two countries.

Vietnam, RoK foster diplomatic ties

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has affirmed that cooperation with the Republic of Korea (RoK) is a top priority in Vietnam’s external relations.

Minh made the affirmation at his meeting with President Lee Myung Bak during his official visit to the RoK from December 6-9 on the occasion of the two countries 20th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

President Lee Myung Bak described FM Minh’s visit as an important event during the Vietnam-RoK Friendship Year. He reiterated the intention to continue to boost the bilateral strategic cooperative partnership between the RoK and Vietnam in the coming time.

Earlier, on December 7, FM Minh held talks with RoK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Kim Sung-hwan.

The two sides expressed elation at the positive development of bilateral ties in various areas over the past 20 years.

They exchanged measures to implement high-level agreements reached by the two countries’ leaders. Accordingly, the two Foreign Ministries will work closely together to organise high-level visits and boost cooperation in politics, defence and security as well as ties between ministries, agencies and localities.

The two sides agreed to encourage RoK businesses to increase investment in Vietnam, aiming to raise bilateral trade to 20 billion USD in the coming time and strike trade balance. They also agreed to strengthen cooperation in other areas including development cooperation, science-technology and tourism.

Minister Kim said the RoK will coordinate closely with Vietnam to support the Vietnamese community in his country, especially Vietnamese brides and those working and studying in the RoK.

The two sides pledged to strengthen cooperation and mutual assistance at such international forums as the UN, APEC, ASEAN+ and EAS as well as the cooperation between the two Foreign Ministries.

Regarding regional and international issues, they reached consensus on the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the region and dealing with differences through peaceful means on the basis of international law without the use of force or threat to use force.

The same day, FM Minh attended a reception hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in RoK to mark the 20 th anniversary of Vietnam-RoK diplomatic ties (December 22).

Addressing the event, RoK Prime Minister Kim Hwang Sik highlighted the developments in the two countries’ relations, from the traditional sectors of trade and investment to newer areas including technology, green development and coping with climate change.

Bilateral relations have developed not only extensively but also intensively on the basis of mutual understanding and trust, he said.

A Vietnam-RoK forum promoting investment in industrial zones and economic zones with focus on supporting industry in Vietnam was also held the same day.

Within the framework of the 2012 Vietnam Week, a Vietnam-RoK gala night was organised on December 8 and broadcast on the international channel of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS).

On the occasion, an event introducing Vietnam’s cuisine was held, attracting a large number of Korean visitors.

The Vietnam Week in the RoK successfully wrapped up, contributing to promoting Vietnam’s image to the RoK people and strengthening mutual understanding, friendship and people-to-people exchange between the two peoples.

Dak Nong urged to use forest potential

The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong needs to utilise its potential in land forestry and mining to develop industrial crops and high-technology agriculture.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made the instruction at his meeting with key officials from Dak Nong province on December 8 during his fact-finding tour to the Central Highlands.

Trong affirmed the province’s important role and position in socio-economy, security-defence and foreign affairs. He hailed the local Party committee, authorities and people for obtaining significant socio-economic development results this year.

Despite economic difficulties, exports are estimated to increase 38 percent over the previous year and budget collection by 22 percent. The poverty rate is estimated to fall by 3 percent to 23.8 percent of the total number of households. Living standards, education, health services and infrastructure have all improved.

Dak Nong should promote the rural area-building movement and implement sustainable poverty reduction programmes, while strengthening land and forestry management, protection and exploitation, the Party leader stressed.

At the meeting, he also urged Dak Nong to improve resettlement for local people, including unplanned migrants.

Sharing the difficulties experienced in the implementation of Nhan Co Aluminium Plant, Trong stressed the need to carry out the project for its potential benefit to Dak Nong.

Earlier, he visited Tuy Duc district’s Quang Tam commune, an especially challenging area with over 40 percent of the local population living under the poverty line.

He presented gifts to State-policy beneficiary families in Quang Tam commune.

Separated from Dak Lak in 2004, Dak Nong has an area of 650,000 hectares and a population of 520,000 from 40 ethnic groups. The province is endowed with natural resources like bauxite, and has cool and favourable weather conditions for the development of industrial crops including coffee, rubber, cashew nuts and pepper. It is also at an advantage in hydro-power and tourism development.

However, forest management and protection is poor. The forest area and its quality are decreasing. In 2012, 190 hectares of woodland was illegally destroyed.

President visits site of Lai Chau hydropower plant

President Truong Tan Sang has paid a visit to engineers and workers at the construction site of the Lai Chau hydropower plant in the mountainous northwest province of the same name.

He was briefed on the project’s progress and implementation, as well as the resettlement of households originally on the site.

The 1,200 megawatt hydropower plant consisting of three turbines is expected to be operational by 2016. Nearly 5,000 engineers and workers from Electricity of Vietnam (EVN) and LILAMA are constructing it.

Lai Chau hydropower plant is the third of its kind built on Da River. It follows the 1,920MW hydropower plant in Hoa Binh province and the 2,400MW hydropower plant in Son La province.

Sang’s visit was part of his Lai Chau tour on December 8 to inspect the implementation of socio-economic development plans, national defence and security, and rural development.

During his tour, Sang attended the inaugural ceremony of a memorial house dedicated to lawyer at Nguyen Huu Tho and a primary school named after him in Ban Giang village, Muong Te commune. The projects recognise contributions made by lawyer Nguyen Huu Tho, who had been detained there 62 years ago. Tho was acting State President from April 1980 to July 1981 and Chairman of the National Assembly from 1981 to 1987.

Speaking to the local Party committee, authorities and people, Sang asked them to continue upholding solidarity, gain more socio-economic development achievements and improve the living standards of local people, while building the Party and maintaining social order and safety.

The President also visited and presented a gift to Vietnamese hero mother Ly Kho Po from the Ha Nhi ethnic people in Muong Te town.

President Ho Chi Minh memorial opens in Laos

The inauguration for a memorial to President Ho Chi Minh took place in Laos' Khammouane Province on Friday, Dec 7, with the participation of Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachith and Vietnamese Vice National Assembly Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

Addressing the event, which was jointly held by Khammouane Province and the Lao Kaysone Phomvihane Museum, Phong highlighted the historical and political importance the memorial held, saying it was a symbol of the special solidarity and friendship between the two nations.

Governor of Khammouane Khamsay Damlath and Director of the Kaysone Phomvihane Museum Souvandi Sisavath briefed the audience on the life and revolutionary cause of President Ho Chi Minh, who laid the foundation for the special relationship between Viet Nam and Laos. They highly valued the role President Ho Chi Minh played and his dedication to the revolutionary movements in both countries.

The 1.5-ha memorial was built in Xiangvang village, Khammouane Province, where President Ho Chi Minh lived and worked during his time of revolutionary activities in Laos.

Vietnam, Russia hold fifth strategic dialogue

The fifth Vietnam-Russia Strategic Dialogue on Diplomacy-Defence-Security took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 7.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Permanent Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ho Xuan Son, and the Russian delegation was headed by Deputy Foreign Minister A. I. Denisov.

During the annual dialogue, the two sides discussed measures to boost bilateral ties in the framework of their comprehensive strategic partnership.

They exchanged views on international and regional issues of mutual concern, as well as their coordinated action at the United Nations and other international forums, especially regional connectivity mechanisms.

On the same day, Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee, Le Hoang Quan, received the Russian diplomat. The two sides agreed to continue promoting traditional friendship and cooperation between the city and Russian localities.

Quan suggested the Russian side create favourable conditions for HCM City businesses to invest in its Far East region.

VNN/VNS/VNA