Vietnam keen to boost cooperation with Czech Republic

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai told Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Martin Kuba that Vietnam treasures the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with traditional friends in Eastern Europe, including the Czech Republic.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai recieves Czech Minister of Industry and Trade Martin Kuba. (Source: VNA)

At their meeting in Hanoi on January 21, Hai expressed his belief that the outcomes of the talks between Kuba and his Vietnamese counterpart will help promote the traditional ties between the two countries in economics, trade and investment.

Highly valuing ODA from the Czech Republic at 18 million USD per year, Hai said he hopes the country will continue to supply ODA to Vietnam, especially for projects concerning health, Agent Orange/Dioxin aftermath relief, light industry and renewable energy.

Hai suggested that the two sides strengthen exchanges to discern areas of priority for their cooperation.

The Czech Republic has a strong manufacturing and food processing industries, while Vietnam has advantages in agriculture and has a young population, he noted.

The Deputy PM thanked the Czech Government for creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic, so that they can contribute to the economic development of the resident country as well as strengthen bilateral ties between the two countries.

Minister Kuba noted that Vietnam has a rapidly growing economy, which left a strong impression on Czech businesses.

He affirmed that the Czech Government considers Vietnam one of 12 countries to prioritise trade and investment development.

He stressed that his country has capacity to meet Vietnam’s needs in developing necessary sectors, and is willing to cooperate with Vietnam to lift the relationship between the two countries.

Vietnam treasures multi-faceted ties with Italy

Vietnam values the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Italy in its relations with the European Union (EU).

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made the statement during talks with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano in Rome on January 21.

The Italian President welcomed the Vietnamese delegation’s visit (January 20-22) on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties (1973-2013).

Trong expressed his belief that the visit will mark a new stage in the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two nations.

The Vietnamese leader thanked the Italian people for their enthusiastic support and valuable assistance during Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence, as well as its current national development.

The Italian President spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements and its role in regional development.

The two leaders expressed their pleasure with the multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries in recent time.

They applauded the signing of a joint statement on the establishment of the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership during the visit. It is an important milestone in bilateral ties that will open up cooperative opportunities and bring practical benefit to both sides, they said.

Trong and his host agreed on measures to deepen bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment.

The two sides agreed to increase the exchange of high-ranking delegations and work together to organize activities to
celebrate the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

They consented to increase cooperation in politics, education-training, science-technology, culture, tourism and security-defense, and improve the efficiency of cooperation mechanisms to accelerate the execution of bilateral agreements and cooperation programmes.

Trong affirmed that Vietnam will continue creating favourable conditions for the two countries’ businesses and investors to set up partnerships and increase their presence in each country, particularly in infrastructure, human resource training, mechanical engineering, health, and the environment.

The two leaders agreed that Vietnam and Italy should strengthen cooperation at international forums, particularly in the ASEAN-EU framework.

They also agreed that disputes on the East Sea should be resolved through peaceful negotiations on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

The concerned parties need to implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and early sign a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) for peace, stability, maritime freedom and safety in the region, they said.

The Italian President accepted Trong’s invitation to visit Vietnam

Later, the two leaders met the media to announce the outcomes of their talks.

PM welcomes Cambodian Minister of Justice

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received Cambodian Minister of Justice Ang Vong Vathana in Hanoi on January 21.

At the reception, Dung spoke highly of the outcomes of the meeting between Vathana and his Vietnamese counterpart Ha Hung Cuong, especially the signing of an agreement on mutual legal assistance in civil matters.

This important agreement will create a legal foundation to ensure the legitimate rights and interests of the two countries’ individuals, organisations and businesses engaged in civil matters, he noted.

The PM expressed his wish that the two ministries will continue close coordination to effectively implement the cooperation agreements.

As a friendly neighbour of Cambodia, Vietnam congratulates Cambodia on its all-faceted achievements in national development and integration, which continuously improve its role and position in the international arena, he stressed.

For his part, the Cambodian minister expressed his hope for the Vietnamese Government’s continued support to strengthen and consolidate the cooperation between the two ministries.

NA leader greets Cao Dai dignitaries

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong received a delegation of Cao Dai dignitaries in Hanoi on January 21.

Phong praised Cao Dai dignitaries and followers for their contributions to strengthening national solidarity over the past 90 years since the religion was first established in Vietnam.

She expressed hope that the dignitaries will actively participate in the campaign to improve the cultural lifestyle in residential areas, disseminate the Party and State’s policies to followers, and contribute their opinions to the draft amendment of the 1992 Constitution.

The visiting dignitaries informed Phong of their charitable activities during the last five years, including assisting to victims of natural disasters and providing medical check-ups and treatment for underprivileged people. Each year, Cao Dai sects help raise over VND20 billion for charity.

On the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, Phong extended her best wishes to over 10,000 Cao Dai dignitaries and 2.5 million followers across the country.

Vietnam, Cambodia sign civil judicial assistance agreement

Vietnamese Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong and his Cambodian counterpart Ang Vong Anthana signed a civil judicial assistance agreement between the two countries in Hanoi on January 21.

The document defines all civil judicial assistance regulations and procedures between Vietnam and Cambodia.

It will create a legal basis for the two judicial bodies to support each other in arising disputes and legal issues, ensuring the rights and interests of individuals, organisations and businesses that operate in the other country.

At the event, the two ministers informed each other of their country’s socio-economic developments and the current condition of law and judicial reforms. They also discussed issues of mutual concern, including law building and enforcement.

During his stay in Vietnam from January 21-22, the Cambodian minister will visit the Vietnam Supreme People’s Procuracy, the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court and work with the Judicial Institute and the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform.

Canada keen to promote cooperation with Vietnam

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has expressed his country’s desire to promote cooperative relations with Vietnam during a meeting with the Vietnamese community in Mississauga, Ontario on January 19.

The PM voiced hope that Vietnamese-Canadian relations will reach new heights and that Vietnamese community in Canada will contribute even more to the development of their North American home.

On the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year Festival (Tet), the PM wants to convey his best regards to the overseas Vietnamese community. He emphasised the importance of Vietnam in Canada’s 2013 foreign policy, adding that the Canadian Government plans to foster its relations with the Vietnamese Government.

Stephen Harper also acknowledged the cultural centrality of the Tet festival to Vietnamese people. It offers an opportunity for Vietnamese people to unite with their families and friends and share in the joy of the past year’s successes, he said.

 Vietnam, Italy set up strategic partnership

VietNamNet Bridge – Having enjoyed the sound friendship and remarkable developments in their bilateral relations, Vietnam and Italy agreed to establish a strategic partnership to further intensify their cooperation in the existing areas and expand it to new fields.

Following is the full text of a Joint Statement featuring the two countries' establishment of their strategic partnership:

"On the basis of the sound friendship and remarkable development of bilateral relations between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Italian Republic; Willing to further intensify cooperation in the existing areas and expand it to new fields; Given the crucial symbolic significance of the commemoration of the 40 th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries in 2013; During the State visit to Italy by the General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam, H.E. Mr. Nguyen Phu Trong, on January 20 – 22, 2013;

The two sides agree to elevate their bilateral relations by establishing a Strategic Partnership based on this Joint Statement.

The two sides agree to promote bilateral relations within the overall framework of the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and the EU, on the basis of the Vietnam - EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement officially signed on June 27, 2012.

The Strategic Partnership will create the framework for the development of comprehensive and long-lasting bilateral relations, particularly a broadened and deepened cooperation in the following key areas:

1. Political – diplomatic cooperation

The two sides agree to continue increasing the exchange of high-level delegations, including both official visits as well as contacts on the sidelines of international and regional fora.

The two sides recognise the importance of the existing relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and its agencies and their Italian political, governmental, research and academic interlocutors.

The two sides welcome the strengthening of cooperation between the two Parliaments, including mutual visits and exchanges in multilateral fora. Such cooperation may envisage in particular capacity building initiatives on law-making process.

The two sides agree to promote cooperation between regions and local entities of the two countries, particularly in the fields of economy, trade and investment, education and training, culture and tourism.

The two sides highly value the outcomes of the political consultation at a Deputy Foreign Minister level and agree to establish a Strategic Dialogue Mechanism co-chaired by the Deputy Foreign Ministers of Vietnam and Italy. The Strategic Dialogue Mechanism will be held annually on rotational basis in Hanoi and Rome to discuss bilateral relations and international and regional issues of mutual concern, with the participation, whereas requested, of representatives of other Ministries and agencies.

2. Global and regional issues

The two sides are committed in strengthening position sharing, cooperation and mutual support in international and regional fora, especially within the UN, WTO, ASEM, ASEAN, EU, and on international issues of mutual concern such as the UN reform, sustainable development, environment and climate change, energy security, food security, water resources management, epidemics control, Millennium Development Goals, disarmament and non proliferation, fight against organised crime, terrorism and piracy at sea, peaceful settlement of international disputes.

The two sides strongly support the promotion of relations and cooperation between ASEAN and EU on politics and security and economic and social development. Italy supports ASEAN's roadmap for the establishment of the ASEAN Community, also aimed at enhancing the active role of ASEAN in the maintenance of stability and peace in the Asia–Pacific region. Vietnam pledges to support Italy to enhance its role and promote its relations with ASEAN and other regional fora in Southeast Asia.

3. Economic relations

Italy will assist Vietnam in enhancing economic and trade relations with the EU and will support Vietnam in completing the institution of market economy, in view of the EU's recognition of Vietnam's market economy status. The two sides express their support for a swift conclusion of the negotiations for a balanced and mutually beneficial Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU.

Vietnam and Italy realise the vast potentials for expanding bilateral economic relations, including trade and investment, and agree to promote these relations on the basis of long-lasting stability and mutual benefits. Italy is prepared to contribute to the economic development of Vietnam through:

Sharing technologies and experiences of Italian enterprises active in the fields of infrastructure (roads, railways, urban transportation, ports and airports), mechanical engineering industry (particularly for textile and garment, leather footwear, wooden furniture, food and foodstuff processing and preservation) and processing industry; Promoting economic cooperation, also through specific Public–Private Partnerships and initiatives, in such areas as infrastructure, energy, metallurgy, telecommunications, tourism, environment, healthcare, fashion.

Vietnam welcomes and will create favorable conditions for Italy's investment projects in oil and gas extraction.

The two sides encourage trade and investment exchanges between the two countries. Italy and Vietnam agree to increase opportunities for contacts between SME's of the two countries and between the respective business confederations, particularly with regard to textile and garment, footwear, wooden furniture and agricultural products.

At the same time, Vietnam welcomes Italian firms producing consumer goods to open flagship offices in Vietnam. Italy confirms its availability to support Italian enterprises willing to invest and do business in Vietnam.

Supporting businesses of the two countries to increase connectivity and establish partnerships will enable small and medium-sized enterprises of Italy to share specific technology and experience in high-quality production with Vietnamese partners, thus contributing to the consolidation of the production industry of Vietnam, also with the prospect to reach out to ASEAN and East Asian markets.

To facilitate the activities of the two sides' businesses in each country, as well as to monitor and promote bilateral trade and investment, the two sides agree to establish a Joint Commission on Economic Cooperation, coordinated by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of Vietnam and the Ministry of Economic Development of Italy and convened yearly on rotational basis.

4. Development assistance

The two sides continue to attach importance to Italian development assistance to Vietnam , based on the bilateral Agreement concluded in 2009. They agree to conclude a new protocol for the development assistance to Vietnam for 2013–2015 through grants and, mostly, concessional credits, in order to support the improvement of Vietnam's economic and social infrastructures, focusing on water and environment, healthcare, human resources development and support for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The two sides will consider gradual shifting from traditional cooperation areas towards new ones, such as climate change response, scientific training and research and green/clean energy.

Taking into account the positive results of the project promoted by the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in collaboration with UNIDO aimed at supporting Vietnamese industrial clusters and SME's, and noting the vast potential of cooperation in such field, the two sides agree to identify a flagship cooperation project for human resources training namely in the private sector, using Italian funds, aimed at improving capacity of Vietnamese companies to organise the production and distribution of goods, in accordance with the Vietnamese laws on labor and environmental safety.

Specific contractual arrangements in the framework of the new Development Cooperation Protocol for 2013-2015 shall be defined in accordance with the respective internal procedures of each country and be part of ad hoc agreements, particularly when they entail financial costs.

5. Cultural, education and training, scientific and technological cooperation

On the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Italy and Vietnam, the two sides agree to hold commemorative activities within the framework of the "Vietnam Year in Italy" and the "Italy Year in Vietnam" in 2013 and pledge to encourage suitable initiatives to be implemented in each country. The two sides attach importance to 40 years friendship between the people of Italy and Vietnam and agree to create favorable conditions for the organisation of exchanges and promotion activities in order to deepen mutual understanding between the people of the two countries.

The two sides encourage cooperation in the areas of culture, arts, sports, tourism, information and communication in each country, including exhibitions, cultural and arts performances, tourism fairs and sports exchanges.

The two sides are aware of the importance of "Casa Italia" (Italy House) in Hanoi , given its significance in promoting Italian culture and language as well as "Made in Italy " products in Vietnam . They are confident that "Casa Italia" will represent a useful platform to present a comprehensive understanding of Italian culture and economy, for the mutual benefit of the two sides.

Vietnam highly appreciates Italy's experience in preserving archaeological heritage as well as in urban development. The two sides are committed in facilitating exchanges between institutional organisations and experts in order to preserve archaeological heritage and serve the urban development of Vietnam.

The two sides agree to examine relevant proposals by the Government of Vietnam in order to establish the Vietnam–Italy Centre of Excellence for Training and Research (CEFIVI) located in Vietnam. Such a Centre may become a hub for key training and scientific research cooperation projects between the two countries, with the support and assistance of the Governments and relevant agencies/organisations of the two countries and through Italian funding subject to the last paragraph of point 4 above. CEFIVI will meet the needs of enterprises/organisations of the two countries in transferring and promoting Italian science and technology to the Vietnamese market.

The two sides highly value the positive experience of the cooperation and exchanges of students and scholars between universities of Vietnam and Italy and pledge to further intensify such activities. They agree to establish a Meeting Mechanism between universities in Vietnam and Italy convened twice a year on rotational basis, chaired by the Ministry of Education and Training of Vietnam and the Ministry of Education, University and Research of Italy.

The two sides welcome the signing of the Education Cooperation Programme for 2013–2016 and the early signing of the Cultural Cooperation Programme for 2013–2016 between Vietnam and Italy.

Taking note of the importance of science and technology and of the outcomes of the Joint Commission on Science and Technology Cooperation between Vietnam and Italy, the two sides agree to renew the Cooperation Program in this field for 2013–2015.

6. Defense and Security

On the basis of the sound cooperation in the sector of defense, the two sides affirm the aspiration to further enhance cooperation in this area, as mentioned in the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the two Ministries of Defense, signed on November 24 2000. They agree to expand and update cooperation contents by signing a new MoU on cooperation in defense. The signing of the latter will consolidate and further improve the legal framework for the promotion of bilateral relations in areas of mutual interest. Also, through the MoU the two sides agree to promote the establishment of the Vietnam and Italy Defense and Security Dialogue Mechanism at appropriate level.

The two sides agree that in order to further deepen mutual understanding and expand cooperation in the defense and security area, they should enhance exchange, discussion and sharing of information between delegations at various levels and between the strategic defense research agencies of the two countries. They also commit to cooperate in the defense industry field.

The two sides recognise the importance of international cooperation in security matters to prevent and combat trans-national organised crime and terrorism. The two sides are committed, also on the basis of specific agreements, in launching police cooperation through exchange of information and best practices, particularly with regard to the prevention of trans-national organised crime, trafficking of addictive and psychotropic substances and their precursors, human trafficking, illegal migration and terrorism.

7. Final clause

On the basis of this Joint Statement, the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the two countries will develop a two-year Joint Action Plan.

This Joint Statement can be revised on the basis of written consent. It will be effective from the date of its signature by the two sides and will be valid until it is annulled by one of the two sides through written notification with six months advance.

Signed in Rome on 21 January 2013, in duplicate in Vietnamese, Italian and English languages; all texts being equally authentic.

VNN/VOV/VNA