Viet Nam-Thailand enhance budding co-operation effort

Foreign Affairs Minister Pham Binh Minh expressed his pleasure at the growing co-operation between Viet Nam and Thailand at a reception for Thai Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Sihasak Phuangketkeow in Ha Noi yesterday, May 27.

The reception came within the framework of the third political consultation between the two ministries of foreign affairs from May 26-28.

Minh suggested the two countries work closely together to implement several bilateral co-operation mechanisms, including joint cabinet meetings; political consultation; a joint committee on trade; and a Viet Nam-Thailand working group on political and security co-operation.

He also spoke highly of the effective joint efforts in drafting the content for the Viet Nam–Thailand Strategic Partnership under the guidelines of the two countries' leaders.

The Thai diplomat said the political consultation had raised several key issues of the bilateral strategic partnership.

He added that the recent strong bond between the two countries and their ministries would help develop friendly relations and co-operation further in years to come.

The two sides also exchanged views on several regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Earlier the same day, Sihasak Phuangketkeow and Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh co-chaired the third political consultation between Viet Nam and Thailand.

Lao Front pledges to augment Viet Nam ties

President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Phaduongchit Vongsa has affirmed that the Party, State, LFNC and people of Laos would do their utmost to raise special ties between Laos and Viet Nam to a new height.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong meets with LFNC's Phaduongchit Vongsa. (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Nguyen Phu Trong in Ha Noi yesterday, Vongsa informed his host of the outcome of talks with the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) on the same day.

The Party chief highly valued the increasingly effective co-operation between the LFNC and the VFF in fostering Viet Nam–Laos solidarity.

He said he hoped the two sides would continue working closely together to share experience and hold communications campaigns featuring their special ties.

The host also expressed his belief that the Lao people would continue harvesting greater achievements in their renewal cause.

Earlier, at talks with VFF President Huynh Dam, the two sides agreed to further their bilateral friendship and co-operation, especially the implementation of co-operation agreements for the 2011 – 16 period signed on November 24, 2011 in Vientiane.

Accordingly, the two sides will raise public awareness of the solidarity, friendship and co-operation between the two nations, boost people-to-people exchange.

They will work with relevant agencies to call on businesses and people to implement bilateral co-operation programmes in economics, culture, science, education, healthcare and the environment.

Dam asked the LFNC and VFF to urge those living along the two countries' border areas to support each other and build a Viet Nam–Laos border of peace and friendship.

At the same time, they were requested to encourage models of co-operation between the LFNC, VFF and local authorities at all levels, especially the exchange of delegations to share experience and information.

Vongsa said LFNC bodies regularly called on people living in localities bordering Viet Nam to build a border of peace, especially in Savannakhet province.

Concluding the talks, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding on preparations for the Laos–Viet Nam–Cambodia Front Presidium Conference, scheduled for this November in Vientiane.

Vietnam’s role in Southeast Asia praised

Vietnam’s policy on diversified external relations has received strong support from other countries in Southeast Asia.

The remark was made by Dr. John Chipman, General Director of the London-based International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) which has invited Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to attend the 12th IISS Asia Security Summit (known as the Shangri-La Dialogue) in Singapore from May 31 to June 2.

Chipman praised Vietnam’s efforts in strengthening its external relations with other nations, not only in Southeast Asia but also in the Asia-Pacific. Vietnam is enjoying good relationship with its trading partners and many foreign investors are keeping a close watch on the Vietnamese market, he said.

He expressed hope that PM Dung’s keynote speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue will help international delegates understand more about the country’s incentive policies.

The Vietnamese government leader’s participation in the Dialogue is of great significance as Vietnam is broadening its partnership with other countries in the region and the world, the IISS General Director noted.

He stressed that the Shangri-La Dialogue is an important channel for defence ministers and senior officials from the Asia-Pacific, North America and Europe to join inter-governmental discussions about issues related to defence and security.

VN, US discuss regional issues

Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son chaired the Viet Nam-US Dialogue on Asia-Pacific yesterday, May 27, in Ha Noi.

The event was attended by the Acting Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs of the US Department of State, Joseph Y Yun.

The two sides discussed bilateral, regional and international issues of mutual concern in a friendly and frank atmosphere.

The dialogue was organised under an agreement between the two foreign ministries.

Indonesia, VN fight against corruption

Viet Nam and Indonesia have decided to enhance their co-operation in preventing and fighting corruption on the basis of equality and friendship for their mutual benefit, and in line with each country's law and practice as well as international law.

A Memorandum of Understanding to this effect was signed at talks between Deputy Inspector General Tran Duc Luong and Commissioner of the Indonesian Anti-Corruption Eradication Commission (KPK) Adnan Pandu Praja in Ha Noi yesterday, May 27.

The two sides will join hands in professional training and exchange of experts to share experiences in detecting corruption activities and anti-corruption awareness work.

During the talks, Luong expressed his hope that the KPK Commissioner's visit would create an opportunity for the two sides to exchange experiences in the field, deepening the friendship between Viet Nam and Indonesia in a more practical and efficient manner.

He briefed his guest on Viet Nam's legal system on anti-corruption and inspection laws as well as the sector's future orientations.

For his part, Praja expressed his hope that the two agencies would continue consolidating their co-operation in information and experience sharing in the fight against corruption.

Indonesia links to be enhanced

Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh hosted a reception for visiting Indonesian Deputy Defence Minister Lieut Gen Syamfrie Sjamsoeddin in Ha Noi yesterday, May 27.

During the talks, host and guest reviewed the fine traditional relationship between the two countries.

Co-operation in defence between the two sides had been carried out in line with documents they signed in 2010, they agreed.

They also voiced the need to enhance the exchange of officers at all levels and cooperate in defence while sharing experience in training officers and soldiers to participate in the UN's peace-keeping force.

Sjamsoeddin took the occasion to introduce the Indonesian-made CN-295 aircraft, on which he and his entourage flew to Viet Nam this time.

CN-295 is assembled by the PT.Dirgantara Group, using components of Airbus Group, the world's leading aircraft manufacturer.

Nuclear terrorism battle backed

Viet Nam supports all activities carried out under the framework of the Global Initiative to Combat Nuclear Terrorism (GICNT) and related working groups.

This was stated by the country's delegation at the eighth plenary session of the GICNT, held on May 26-27 in Mexico with the participation of representatives from 85 countries and four international organisations.

During the event, Vietnamese delegates praised the initiative's success in connecting members of the international community to tackle the threat of nuclear terrorism.

The delegation emphasised the leading role of the United Nations in the war on terror, as well as the central role of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in nuclear safety-related issues and international cooperation.

Members also highlighted the importance of providing technical assistance to developing countries.

Viet Nam has approved the supplementary protocol of the Treaty on Nuclear Safety, necessary documents to join IAEA's Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material and the supplementary protocol of the convention.

Apart from the recent actions to prevent nuclear terrorism, the country continues to improve legal policies concerning nuclear security, the delegation stressed.

Initiated by the US and Russia in 2005 in St. Petersburg, the GICNT aims to encourage inter-governmental cooperation in related matters enshrined in the international treaties on nuclear terrorism counter, especially the Convention on Physical Protection of Nuclear Material, Convention on Counter-Nuclear Terrorism and related resolutions issued by the UN Security Council. Viet Nam joined the initiative in April 2010.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA