Vietnam treasures ties with Japan

Vietnam wants to deepen the friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Japan, considering this one of the top priorities in Vietnam’s foreign policy.

Visiting Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung made the statement during talks with Hirata Kenji, chair of the Japan's Upper House, in Tokyo on December 5.

Hung thanked Japan for maintaining high levels of official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam and confirmed that Vietnam will continue managing and using this source of capital efficiently.

He proposed that both countries and legislative bodies increase delegation exchanges to especially share experience in decision-making and legislation.

He stressed that Vietnamese people believe and attach great importance to the friendship and cooperation with Japan despite its recent Cabinet reshuffle.  

The chief Vietnamese legislator expressed his pleasure at the fine development of bilateral relations, and said the two countries need to work closely together to successfully organize the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Year in 2013 to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties.

For his part, Hirata Kenji praised Vietnam’s Renewal achievements and its increasing role globally, stressing that strengthening cooperative relations with Vietnam helps expand and develop Japan’s relations in the region, for the sake of peace, friendship and development.

He echoed Hung’s view on the two countries’ close coordination in celebrating the Friendship Year in 2013 and suggested that the two parliaments and governments work more closely in the areas of culture and education.

He confirmed that Japan will increase ODA for Vietnam, and hoped the capital will be better managed and used.

Noting that Japanese investment in Vietnam has increased significantly over the years, Kenji proposed that Vietnam continue improving its investment environment to create favourable conditions for the two business circles to speed up cooperation projects.

The same day, Hung visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo where he met with embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community there.

Vietnam–Japan strategic partnership strengthened

Japan will always value the strategic partnership with Vietnam and continue assisting the country during its industrialisation and modernisation.

Overview of the event. (Photo: VNA)

Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Akitaka Saiki made the statement at a meeting with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on December 5.

Saiki said the Strategic Partnership Dialogue, the Vietnam-Japan Cooperation Committee and other dialogue mechanisms between the ministries and departments of both countries play an important role in strengthening bilateral ties in a comprehensive and effective manner.

At the Vietnam–Japan Strategic Partnership Dialogue the same day, Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son and Saiki shared views on the strategic partnership between the two countries, foreign policies, national security and defence policies, as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern.

They agreed to hold the subsequent dialogue in Tokyo next year.

Foreign Minister visits RoK

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh left Hanoi for Seoul on December 6, beginning an official visit to the Republic of Korea.

During his stay until December 9, Minh will attend the Vietnam Week in the RoK jointly held by the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Vietnamese Embassy in Seoul, and relevant RoK organisations.

Cao Dai Holy See 2012 Congress opens

The Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy See opened its 2012 Congress on December 5 in the southern province of Tay Ninh. Its aim is to review operations during the last five years and discuss plan for the next five years.

Cardinal Thuong Tam Thanh, head of the Executive Council of Cao Dai Church highlighted that the Church’s religious practice in the last year has been on the right track, promoting solidarity in society.

The Church’s operations have focused on the areas of order and discipline, and gained a number of achievements.

It has set up a representative board in 28 of the 39 provinces it is present, increasing the number of Cao Dai officials. Over the last five years, the Church has raised more than 70 billion VND for charity, he said.

Participants at the congress agreed on the orientations for 2012-2017. They focused on strengthening internal solidarity as well as with other social organisations, participating in charitable and social activities, leading followers to comply with State law, while consolidating the orgainsation of the Church from central to local levels, operating for the benefit of both religion and the nation.

Addressing the congress, Pham Dung, Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Head of the Government Religious Affairs Commission, spoke highly of the role that Cao Dai dignitaries and followers have in society, highlighting their charitable activities.

The Cao Dai religion has contributed to diversifying the national cultural identity, he said, adding that the Church should practise the religion in close attachment to the nation, contribute to national socio-economic and cultural development.

On the occasion, the Vietnam Fatherland Front presented the Great National Unity Order to several Cao Dai officials in recognition of their contributions to society and national solidarity.

Cao Dai Tay Ninh Holy See is one of the nine recognised Cao Dai sects in Vietnam.

Founded in 1926 in Tay Ninh Province, the Cao Dai religion worships the Divine Eye, known as the eye of heaven and a symbol of the supreme being of the Cao Dai religion. Cao Dai’s doctrine honours the Divine and the miraculous quality of supreme spirits, and considers them as the means for human beings to unify with God.

Vietnam voices concern over DPRK’s planned satellite launch

Vietnam is concerned with the recent announcement from the Republic People’s Democratic of Korea (DPRK)’s Committee for Space Technology to launch the Kwanmyongsong-3 satellite, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi has said.

Nghi made the statement in Hanoi on December 5 when reporters asked for Vietnam’s reaction to DPRK’s planned launch.

The spokesperson said Vietnam longs for a peaceful, stable and prosperous Korean Peninsula, and hopes that the concerned parties will not carry out any action that is detrimental to the region’s peace and stability or violates Resolution 1874 of the United Nations Security Council.

Lao leader affirms strong ties with Vietnam

 The Party, State and people of Laos will do their utmost to protect and develop the special relationship with their Vietnamese counterparts, says President Chummaly Sayasone.

Sayasone, who is also General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, made the affirmation while receiving newly-accredited Vietnamese ambassador Nguyen Manh Hung in Vientiane on December 5.

He thanked Vietnam for providing valuable support to Laos over the years and congratulated its neighbour on the tremendous achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

He briefed Hung on major socio-economic developments in Laos and activities marking the Friendship and Solidarity Year between the two countries in 2012.

For his part, the Vietnamese ambassador praised Laos’ achievements and congratulated the country on its successful organisation of major international events, including the recent 9thAsia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), helping increase its profile globally.  

He vowed to try his best during his working term to cement the ties of special solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Telecom cooperation with Mozambique widens

Cooperation between Vietnamese military-run mobile company Viettel and the Information Department of the Mozambique Defence Ministry is driving wider cooperation between the two sides.

Deputy Chief of the General Staff, Major-General Phan Van Giang made the remarks at a reception for Brigadier General Antino Philippe Andres, head of the Mozambique Information Department, on his working visit to Vietnam on December 5.

Addressing the talks, Andres briefed Giang on the outcome of his working visit to Viettel and said he highly valued the cooperation Viettel for its rapid access to the market in Mozambique.

Giang thanked the Mozambique Military and Government for creating favourable conditions that allowed Viettel to achieve its rapid and sustainable development in the country.

VNN/VOV/VNA