Nation to work with Australia lawmakers

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday met visiting Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Anna Burke in Ha Noi, declaring that the Vietnamese Government will do its utmost to back the two legislative bodies to further co-operation.

He thanked the Australian Government for providing ODA for infrastructure and social welfare improvement projects in Viet Nam and in the Mekong Delta region.

President Truong Tan Sang receives Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives Anna Burke.

Sang also noted that the two sides have co-ordinated with and supported each other at various forums such as ASEAN, ASEM and APEC, working together to build an international and regional environment of peace, stability and development.

Stressing that the Vietnamese Government always pays attention to the Vietnamese community in Australia, Sang voiced his hope that the Australian House,State and people will continue creating conditions for Vietnamese people to make contributions to the development of their host country.

For her part, Burke hailed the importance of the Asia-Pacific region, especially Southeast Asia, and praised the comprehensive partnership between Viet Nam and Australia in foreign policy.

As a lawmaker representing a region that is home to many Vietnamese Australians, she said she highly valued the contributions of the Vietnamese community in Australia.

The Speaker pledged to actively seek the implementation of signed agreements with Viet Nam's National Assembly, emphasising that her nation wants to strengthen delegation exchanges at all levels between the two countries and legislative bodies to deepen the relationship between Viet Nam and Australia.

Asian nations urge to form strong links to avoid conflict

The region and the world are facing swift and unpredictable changes and stronger integration between nations is required to withstand the resultant challenges, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has declared.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan speaks at the International Conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo yesterday. — Photo: AFP

Joining a regional co-operation mechanism is one way to build confidence and diminish the risk of conflict, Nhan told Government leaders and top business executives at the 19th International Conference on the Future of Asia, which began in Tokyo yesterday, May 23.

Themed "Asia's Search for Steps towards Stronger Ties and Integration," the conference discussed issues relating to economic integration and development and challenges to regional security in the context of new leadership in a number of countries, including Japan, China and the Republic of Korea.

Rising tensions in territorial disputes in the region was another topic that drew the attention of the participants.

In his speech, Nhan said that Viet Nam has always actively and responsibly participated in regional co-operation and integration frameworks.

According to the deputy PM, in order to maintain dynamic growth for a more stable and prosperous region, Asian countries need to strengthen co-operation and integration in six areas: Trade and investment; workforce supply for both developed and developing countries; goods transport services; sustainable management and exploitation of water resources; the fight against environmental pollution and climate change; and cyber security.

Nhan also proposed the establishment of six specialised forums in Asia, covering partnerships in pollution minimisation and climate change mitigation; development of shipping services; maritime security and safety; water resources protection and utilisation; cyber space security; human resources development and overseas labour; and transparency of financial markets.

The Deputy PM also hailed the positive relationship between Viet Nam and Japan, stressing that their ties rest upon a solid foundation of trust, understanding and friendship, meeting the aspirations and interests of the two peoples and actively contributing to peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region and the world.

Addressing the forum, speakers from regional countries discussed the target of establishing the ASEAN Economic Community by 2015, the role of big countries in the region's stability and development, disputes in the East Sea and the co-operation between countries in and outside the region.

In his speech, Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong highlighted the latest movements related to regional politics, economics and security, including the tension on the Korean peninsula and sea and island disputes among some countries.

He stressed that big countries must contribute to the stability and development of the region through their actions, citing that the US and China need to build strategic trust while Japan and China should exercise restraint.

The Philippino Foreign Minister Albert Del Rosario emphasised the need to obey the United Nations Convention of the Law of the Sea in resolving disputes in the East Sea.

On the same day, Nhan met with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, Chairman of the Japan-Viet Nam Friendship Parliamentary Alliance Toshihiro Nikai and President of the Japan International Co-operation Agency Akihiko Tanaka.

During the meetings, the two sides spoke highly of the good relations between the two countries and agreed to further enhance the bilateral strategic co-operation.

The conference was co-organised by the Nikkei newspaper and the Japan Centre for Economic Research (JCER). It was also attended by representatives from international organsiations and scholars from regional countries.

Meeting with JICA Chief

On the same day, President Sang hosted a farewell reception for outgoing JICA Chief Representative Tsumo Motonori and spoke highly of his contribution to Viet Nam since 2008.

Sang declared his delight at the developing relationship between Viet Nam and Japan in politics, economics, trade, investment and culture and praised Japan's wholehearted support for the country through its generous official development assistance (ODA).

He also complimented Japan on its efficient business investments in the country, with its projects growing in both frequency and value.

Japan has also been introducing policies that encourage Vietnamese products to gradually enter its market, Sang noted.

The President expressed hopes that in Tsumo's new capacity as Chief Trade and Commerce Representative for Kansai, he will continue working for stronger co-operation between the region and Viet Nam.

Motonori took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese government and its agencies for giving him the assistance he needed while working in the country.

He noted that Viet Nam is one of his country's most important partners in Southeast Asia.

Japan will continue providing Viet Nam with ODA in various fields, particularly for large infrastructural projects relating to the East-West Avenue in HCM City, a metro route and a cosmological research centre in Ha Noi.

In the near future, Japan will strengthen high-quality human resources training for Viet Nam, Motonori added.

On Wednesday, the departing JICA chief was awarded the "For the cause of Viet Nam's National Assembly" insignia for his contributions to the Vietnamese law making body and its activities.

Vietnam attends German’s Social Democratic Party’s celebration

A Vietnamese delegation joined more than 300 international guests from 80 countries at the celebration of German’s Social Democratic Party (SPD)’s 150th anniversary in Leipzig on May 23.

The delegation was led by Hoang Binh Quan, member of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commissions for External Relations.

Speaking at the event, German President Joachim Gauck, French President Francois Hollande and SPD President Sigmar Gabriel emphasised the role that SPD has played during the past 150 years, especially in promoting freedom and education.

Earlier on May 22 in Leipzig, representatives from over 70 social democratic and left wing parties, including those from Europe, the US, Africa and India, set up a Progressive Alliance.

In its founding statement, the alliance sets the target of turning the 21st century into an era of democratic, social and ecological progress.

Lao localities hope to foster ties with Vietnam

Authorities of northern provinces of Laos have said that they hope to further strengthen all-round cooperation with Vietnamese localities for a more sustainable development of the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the two countries.

The provinces’ leaders expressed their wish while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Manh Hung who made a working visit to Lao northern provinces of Bo Keo, Luang Namtha and Oudomsay from May 20 to 23.

The Governors of Bokeo, Luang Namtha and Oudomsay said the assistance provided by the Party, State and people of Vietnam has helped the provinces develop infrastructure and diversify economic activities, thus improving the living conditions of local people.

Ambassador Hung affirmed that he will do his best in his capacity to further promote relations between Vietnam and Laos in general and northern provinces of Laos in particular.

Lao leader receives Vietnam’s ethnic committee delegation

Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachith hosted a reception in Vientiane on May 23 for Nong Quoc Tuan, deputy head of the Vietnamese Government’s Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs (CEMA), who is on a working visit to Laos from May 21-29.

At the meeting, the Lao leader affirmed that the Lao Party and State attaches importance to ethnic issues in order to incessantly strengthen the solidarity strength of all the people to construct and develop the country.

He expressed his hope that the CEMA and the Lao Front for National Construction will increase experience exchange and information sharing, as well as boost cooperation in human resources training.

Tuan briefed Volachith on the outcomes of the talks between the two agencies, saying that the two sides were satisfied at the effective cooperation over the past time, especially in the implementation of activities and policies on ethnic affairs of each country, and sustainable socio-economic development models at Vietnam-Laos border areas.

They also agreed on the contents of training courses for Lao officials in Vietnam.

Each year, Vietnam will help train 25 Lao officials in one month.

UK, Vietnam to reinforce parliamentary links

A delegation from the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) will arrive in Hanoi on May 25 to share experience with the National Assembly of Vietnam, according to the British Embassy in Hanoi.

The delegation will also travel to Danang and Ho Chi Minh City during their week-long visit, which aims to reinforce parliamentary links between the two countries and to get an insight into UK activities in Vietnam.

The delegation is headed by the Rt Hon George Howarth, Member of the Parliament (MP), the Chairman of the APPG for Vietnam and from the Labour Party for Knowsley.

During their stay in Hanoi the delegation will have a roundtable discussion with National Assembly Deputies on the role of the National Assembly in the current economic situation in Vietnam.

Deputy Nguyen Van Giau, Chairman of the Vietnam – UK Parliamentary Group, will chair the discussion from the Vietnamese side.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA