Vietnam refutes wrongful Human Rights Watch claims

Vietnam rejects recent wrongful allegations by Human Rights Watch organisation, Deputy Spokesperson of the Foreign Ministry Tran Thi Bich Van told reporters on September 16.

Vietnam’s ratification of the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment was proof of the country’s strong commitment to observing basic human rights, in particular with regard to individuals’ rights to investigations and trials free from torture and cruel punishment.

“Should cases of torture or corporal punishment during investigations and trials come to light, they will be strictly handled in accordance with the law of Vietnam,” she stressed.

Indian magazine focuses on Vietnam-India ties

The Indian Non-Alignment Movement (NAM) Today magazine released a special issue on September 15 highlighting the India-Vietnam ties on the occasion of Indian President Pranab’s strategic visit to Vietnam from September 14-17.

The magazine featured a number of photographs of high-level meetings and the countries’ landscapes, and a dozen articles written by leading experts from research institutes and universities, as well as the President of the India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee in the state of West Bengal.

The articles analysed the traditional friendship between India and Vietnam and highlighted the two countries’ potentials in the rapidly changing regional and global context.

Most notably, the magazine published the entire Vietnam–India Joint Statement on Indian President Pranab Mukherjee’s State visit to Vietnam and the full text of the interview he granted to the Vietnam News Agency in New Delhi before his trip.

Scholar Manish Chand wrote in his article “India-Vietnam: old friends, new vistas” that the multifaceted relationship between India and Vietnam is becoming deeper by the day and branching out in new directions. In many ways, he said, it is a perfect match between India’s Look East policy and Vietnam’s Look West policy, as the two countries aim to forge closer strategic, economic and energy ties in the near future.

Meanwhile, Prof. Baladas Ghoshal stated in his piece “Vietnam in the light of India’s Look East Policy” that the successful Vietnam visits of External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj in August and President Mukherjee at present were all geared towards broadening and deepening the political, economic and strategic relations between the two countries. Furthermore, Ghoshal highlighted the important role Vietnam plays in India’s Look East policy.

In his piece “India and Vietnam: the constantly evolving relationship”, President of the India-Vietnam Solidarity Committee in the state of West Bengal, Greetesh Sharma, hailed the cultural similarities as the foundation for tightened relationship between the two countries.

Other authors spoke highly of the possibilities for the two countries to boost their strategic relationship, particularly in the fields of economics, national defence, security, science-technology, and education and training.

They shared the belief that the launch of a direct air route between India and Vietnam will increase trade and tourism, thus contributing to stronger comprehensive ties.

Ambassador in Ukraine presents credentials

Vietnamese Ambassador in Ukraine Nguyen Minh Tri has presented his credentials to President Petro Proshenco who affirmed that the image of Vietnam is always in the heart of Ukrainian people.

President Proshenco said despite geographical distance, Vietnam and Ukraine share a traditional friendship and close economic-trade cooperation.

He thanked the Vietnamese people, including those living and working in Ukraine for their solidarity with and support for the Ukrainian people and those in the eastern part of the country alike.

For his part, the Vietnamese diplomat said that he will try his best to push the Vietnam-Ukraine comprehensive partnership in the future.

He asked the Ukrainian Government to offer the best possible conditions for the embassy to perform its tasks, including protecting citizens and ensuring security for the Vietnamese community.

HCM City wishes to further connectivity with Indian localities

Ho Chi Minh City is keen on boosting links with Indian localities, especially in the areas of trade, investment, service and tourism, a city leader has said.

Meeting Indian President Pranab Mukherjee in the city on September 16, Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Thanh Hai expressed hope that the President will back the city’s efforts in the work.

Briefing his guest on the city’s socio-economic situation, he stated that Ho Chi Minh City will try its best to effectively realising cooperation agreements reached between the two countries, contributing to fostering the bilateral strategic partnership.

For his part, President Pranab shared Hai’s idea on enhancing ties between the city and Indian localities, saying that this will create more chances for both countries to beef up their relations.

The two sides have great potential for increasing their collaboration in such areas as apparels, food processing, pharmaceuticals, and especially information technology – a strength of India.

India has always walked side by side with Vietnam during its development process, he said, adding that the launching of a direct air route linking the two countries in November will open up new prospects for them to boost partnership.

During his tour to Ho Chi Minh City, President Pranab visited the Museum on War Remnants and met with the Indian business community in the city.

Vietnam in the heart of Ukrainian people: President Proshenco

President of Ukraine Petro Proshenco has affirmed that the image of Vietnam is always in the heart of Ukrainian people while meeting with Vietnamese Ambassador to the country Nguyen Minh Tri in Kiev recently.

The President held that Vietnam and Ukraine, despite geographical distance, share a traditional friendship and close economic-trade cooperation.

He thanked the Vietnamese people, including those living and working in Ukraine, for showing their solidarity with and support for the Ukrainian people in general and those in the eastern part of the country in particular.

For his part, Ambassador Tri, who presented credentials to President Petro Proshenco, affirmed that he will do its utmost to foster the Vietnam-Ukraine comprehensive partnership.

He suggested the Ukrainian Government continue creating conditions for the embassy to perform its tasks, including the protection of citizens and the maintenance of security for the Vietnamese community here.

Vietnam supports peace, unification on Korean peninsula

Vietnam consistently backs a Korean peninsula of peace, unification, stability and development, meeting the legitimate aspirations of people on the peninsula.

Hoang Binh Quan, head of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, made the statement while receiving a delegation from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)’s Democratic Women’s Union in Hanoi on September 16.

He also expressed his wish that the DPRK will support the settlement of disputes in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of international law, for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Chae Chun-hui, Chairwoman of the union, informed the Vietnamese side of the current situation in her country as well as her organisation’s activities.

Both host and guest spoke highly of the good relations between Vietnam and the DPRK, hoping that the bilateral ties will further develop in the time to come.

Can Tho boosts agricultural and tourism links with Thai locality

The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho and the Thai province of Chachoengsao have committed to furthering their cooperation on high-tech agriculture and tourism.

In a working session with Can Tho leaders in the city on September 16, Chachoengsao’s Vice Governor Paisan Wimonrut said the two localities have a number of goals in common for the development of these sectors.

Thailand wishes to become a provider of fertilisers, pesticides and high quality agricultural equipment for Can Tho, he said.

He also expressed his hope that Can Tho representatives will visit his province to exchange experience in developing models of high-tech agriculture and ecotourism.

On his part, Le Hung Dung, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, said Can Tho is developing an infrastructure system for its high-tech industrial zones and ecotourism sites, such as Phong Dien, Con Khuong and Cai Khe, in a bid to attract more investments.

According to the Can Tho Department of External Relations, the city currently funds five investment projects in Thailand with a total capital of 41.3 million USD, mainly in the fields of agricultural and aquatic product processing and packaging.

Last year, Can Tho exported goods worth 9 million USD to Thailand, including fish, tinned shrimp, apparel and cigarettes. Meanwhile, the city imported 10.2 million USD worth of aquatic products and fertiliser from Thailand.

Vietnamese embassy enhances ties with Angolan localities

A delegation from the Vietnamese Embassy in Angola lead by Ambassador Do Ba Khoa has visited Angola’s Cuanza Sul and Cuanza Norte provinces.

During the September 12-13 trip, Khoa worked with the local authorities to seek cooperation opportunities and attended the opening of an international trade fair held in Cuanza Sul.

The local leaders expressed wish that foreign investors, including those from Vietnam, will explore potential and increase investment in the localities.

The ambassador also met with the overseas Vietnamese communities in Cela district of Cuanza Sul and Dondo district of Cuanza Norte.

Between 30-100 Vietnamese people are now living in each of these districts, including health and education experts and businessmen.

Vietnam needs to be a strong country overall: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said Vietnam needs to demonstrate its position of strength in all fields, from politics and economics to society, defence-security and diplomacy, in a bid to safeguard independence and sovereignty for the sake of national prosperity and happiness.

Speaking at a ceremony to launch the new academic year at the National Defence Academy in Hanoi on September 16, the Cabinet leader said Vietnam had overcome a number of challenges in recent years, including the global economic crisis, natural disasters, epidemics and violations of its sovereignty in the East Sea.

In response to these challenges, the country has made progress in socio-economic development, consolidated defence and security efforts, and reinforced external relations, he noted, adding that the people’s armed forces, including the academy, have contributed substantially to these achievements.

Stressing that internal strength is a determinant of national power, PM Dung urged the defence sector to strengthen its armed forces and proactively deal with risks and challenges to national security.

He said as a leading institution for military training and strategic defence research, the academy needs to work harder to improve the quality of teaching and provide a scientific basis for the country’s defence strategy.

He also called upon academy staff to broaden their research and prediction models on hostile forces and acts of hostility and to include response mechanisms.

Vietnam, Philippines share inspection experience

Inspector General of the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam Huynh Phong Tranh received the Overall Deputy of the Office of the Ombudsman of the Philippines Melchor Arthur Carangdang in Hanoi on September 16.

Inspector General Tranh acknowledged the importance of the relations between his agency and its counterpart in the Philippines, expressing his belief that the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on cooperation signed between the two sides in 2013 would help boost their links in the future.

He suggested the two agencies develop practical plans to implement the MoU effectively through exchange visits, and sharing information and expertise.

Tranh said he hoped the two agencies would continue to enhance their relations in times to come, thus deepening the friendship and collaboration between the two countries.

In turn, Carangdang, who is on a five-day visit to Vietnam from September 15 onwards, said the MoU was a valuable foundation for the two inspection agencies to enhance their cooperation, and affirmed that his agency would continue to implement the agreement.

That same day, Deputy Inspector General Le Tien Hao held talks with Carangdang, during which the two sides shared their experience in directing and managing inspection efforts, as well as fighting corruption, as set out in the MoU between the two agencies.

VNA/VOV/VNN