Benin recognizes Vietnam's market economy

Benin Republic President Boni Yayi has reaffirmed his nation’s recognition of Vietnam’s market economy at a recent reception for Vietnam Ambassador Pham Truong Giang who came to present his credentials.

At the reception, the Benin President expressed his desire to elevate the relationship between the two nations to new heights and proposed establishing the Vietnam- Benin Joint Committee to work together on a roadmap for strengthening bilateral relations in the future.

Boni Yayi also spoke glowingly about Vietnam’s international integration efforts and its tremendous political, economic, trade achievements over the years as well as the country’s great national unity bloc-the factor that has helped Vietnam overcome numerous difficulties to achieve success in national construction and defence.

Regarding the Vietnam-Benin relations, the Benin President underlined the need for both sides to exchange information on market and potentiality while expressing his country’s wish to boost imports of Vietnam goods such as rice and consumer goods.

Benin asked Vietnam to send experts aiming to establish agriculture and construction joint ventures and called on Vietnamese businesses to approach its market.

Earlier, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Benin awarded a diplomatic note on Benin’s recognition of Vietnam’s full market economy.

This year, the Republic of Benin is the second West African country after Cote d'Ivoire that has recognized Vietnam's market economy. Last year Morocco also acknowledged the Southeast Asian country’s status.

Vietnamese Ambassador to New Zealand takes office

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Viet Dung presented his credentials to Governor-General of New Zealand Jerry Mateparae at a ceremony in the capital Wellington on September 17 to start his working term there.

Governor-General Mateparae congratulated Dung on his new mission while showing his delight that the two countries are carrying out the second phase (2013-2016) of their action plan together with activities to herald the 40 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2015.

He said he would ask relevant local agencies to wholeheartedly support the Ambassador to successfully accomplish his working tenure.

For his part, Dung passed onto the regards from President Truong Tan Sang and other leaders to his host and briefed him of the country’s socio-economic and international integration accomplishments as well as its future development goals and strategies.

He pledged to undertake maximum efforts to deepen extensively and intensively bilateral relations, especially in diplomacy, defence, security, trade-investment, education-training, culture-tourism, and agriculture in the coming time.

Vietnam-Malta diplomatic ties marked in HCM City

The Honourary Consulate General of Malta in Ho Chi Minh City held a ceremony on September 21 to celebrate Malta’s 50th National Day and the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Addressing the event, Malta’s Honourary Consul General Huynh Trung Khanh said that Malta was one of the first countries in Europe which set up diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1974 and their relationship has been continuously fostered and developed since then.

Vietnam and Malta hold great prospects for bilateral cooperation, especially in economy, trade, investment, finance and tourism, he said.

Malta serves as a gateway for Vietnam to enter the European, African and Middle East markets while Vietnam connects Malta with the Southeast Asian region, he added.

Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Manh Ha spoke highly of the people of Malta’s sentiments towards Vietnam during the struggle for national independence.

He expressed hope that in the coming time the ties between Ho Chi Minh City and Malta will flourish in various fields.

At the ceremony, Khanh also announced that Demajo Group of Malta and Vietnam’s I.value Joint Stock Company will be responsible for linking the two countries’ businesses and supporting their activities.

On this occasion, the Honourary Consulate General of Malta and partners launched a Malta Week in Vietnam from September 21-26, focusing activities to promote trade between the two countries.

Lawyers join corruption fight

Members of the Viet Nam Lawyers Association must contribute to the fight against corruption, President Truong Tan Sang said on Saturday at the Viet Nam Lawyers Association's national conference in Ha Noi.

President Sang applauded the association's work during its 60 years of establishment and especially now as the country strives to implement further legal reforms to enhance socio-economic development.

Sang also recognised the association's active voice in protecting national sovereignty, voicing its opinion timely and coordinating with lawyers' associations abroad to hold legal events establishing Viet Nam's position.

He said lawyers played a crucial role in fighting corruption and ensuring transparency in governance at all levels.

Vietnam joins Asian political parties’ meeting

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Hoang Binh Quan, Head of its Central Committee’s External Relations Commission attended the 8th plenum of the International Conference of Asian Political Parties (ICAPP) in Sri Lanka from September 18-21.

The event attracted 75 political parties from over 30 Asian countries and observers from regional and international organizations who focused their discussions on building the Asian Community.

The Vietnamese delegation mentioned regional fluctuations that caused instabilities and highlighted the enhancement of solidarity, dialogues, and trust for the sustainable development of the Asian community.

The ICAPP Conference adopted the Colombo Declaration affirming strong commitment of Asian political parties to building an Asian community of peace and prosperity for common interests of all peoples.

The statement raised concern over conflicts and escalating violence in the region, particularly disputes over national territorial sovereignty that is posing great threats to regional security.

It placed the importance on dealing with conflicts through peaceful negotiations in accordance with international law and UN resolutions.

During their stay in Sri Lanka, the Vietnamese delegates were received by the host country’s President Mahinda Rajapaksa who greatly valued Vietnam’s renovation achievements and external policy and encouraged Vietnamese businesses to invest in his country, especially in the fields of trade, aquaculture, and oil and gas.

They also met with representatives from political parties with the aim of fostering relationship with their countries.

Singapore, Vietnam boost security cooperation

Vietnam’s Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and Singapore’s Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) have discussed cooperative measures to deal with traditional and non-traditional security threats.

Their talks were held on September 20, during a visit to Singapore by a MPS delegation led by Minister Tran Dai Quang at the invitation of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Home Affairs Teo Chee Hean.

Hean highlighted the Vietnamese delegation visit as a contribution to promoting friendship relations between the two countries.

Quang congratulated Singapore’s achievements in all realms, adding that over the past 40 years the ties of friendship, comprehensive cooperation and strategic partnership between the two countries, particularly between the two ministries, have grown considerably.

The two ministers reviewed the status of signed agreements, including a cooperative agreement on trans-national crime control and prevention, a memorandum of understanding on deputy-ministerial level visit exchange, and a training and development programme for Vietnamese law enforcement officers in the 2014-2015 period.

Both sides agreed to intensify reciprocal exchange visits between the two ministries to share anti-crime experience, reinforce security and intensify personnel training.

The two ministries’ wider cooperation will be focused on ensuring security and safety for trade and investment activities and legitimate rights for organisations, individuals and representative offices.

Singapore, Vietnam sanguine of flourishing cooperation

Vietnam always attaches high importance to strengthening ties of friendship and cooperation with ASEAN, especially Singapore, said Public Security Miniser Tran Dai Quang while meeting with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on September 19.

Since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1973 bilateral cooperation and friendship between the two nations has developed strongly, Quang told the Singaporean PM.

It has particularly blossomed since the strategic partnership was formed in September 2013 Prime Minister Loong said, singling out the fruitful relations between the Ministry of Public Security (MPS) and the Ministry of Home Affairs of Singapore (MHA).

Quang expressed his hope that PM Lee will continue to create favourable conditions for the MHA and law enforcement agencies to increase cooperation with the Vietnamese MPS in crime prevention and control and security enhancement, contributing to a strategic partnership for peace and stability in the region and the world.

PM Lee Hsien Loong expressed his delight at close and effective cooperation between

Visiting the Network Security Centre under the Singapore MHA’s Home Team Academy on the same day, Minister Quang spoke highly of its training methods, hoping that Singapore relevant agencies soon build and realize a network security cooperation programme with Vietnam.

HCM City eager to expand cooperation with Cuba

Ho Chi Minh City and Cuba are established partners on a variety of fronts and the city is eager and willing to expand cooperation, elevating their traditional friendship and mutual trust to even greater heights.

The affirmation was made by Secretary of the HCM City municipal Party Committee Le Thanh Hai at a reception for visiting Vice President of the Council of State of Cuba Lazara Mercedes Lopez Acea on September 20.

Hai drew special attention to the traditional ties between the two Parties, States and peoples, adding that Vietnam will forever be in debt to Cuba for its unwavering support during the past struggle for national independence.

For her part, Lazara shared Hai’s views on the traditional ties that bind the two nations, saying each Cuban citizen considers nurturing friendship and cooperative ties with Vietnam an important task.

The Cuban delegation’s visit to Vietnam aims to further promote bilateral cooperative ties, Lazara said, and to learn of Vietnam’s experiences in its national construction and socio-economic development process.

Vietnam’s experience, particularly about socio-economic development and Party building, is very useful for Cuba in devising and implementing a new economic growth model for the country.

During their stay in HCM City, the Cuban delegation visited some cultural relic sites and economic zones.

Lao Deputy PM visits Vietnam

The Lao Party, State and people will work closely with the Vietnam Party, State and people to maintain and develop great special ties of solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, said Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavath Lengsavad.

At a meeting with Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Hanoi on September 20 during a visit to Vietnam, Somsavath thanked Vietnam for its significant and valuable assistance, both past and present.

The two deputy PMs expressed their delight at the fine results of comprehensive cooperation in recent years demonstrated by the effective implementation of an agreement between the two political bureaus and other high-level agreements.

Cooperation in all fields, ranging from politics, foreign relations, defence-security has proliferated over the years.

The two sides should pay more efforts, from now to the end of this year, to carry out signed agreements and projects as well as commitments towards successfully organizing the 37th meeting of inter-governmental committee, they said.

Czech Republic called for early PCA ratification with EU

Vietnam hopes that the Czech Republic soon ratifies the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the EU signed in June 2012 and recognizes the country’s full market economy.

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son made the statement during a meeting with President of the Senate of the Czech Republic Milan Stech in Praha during a visit from September 17-20.

Son spoke highly of the Czech Republic’s achievements in recent times and rising international profile.

He appreciated the country’s recognition of Overseas Vietnamese (OVs) as the 14th ethnic minority group, considering it a symbol of traditional friendship between the two countries.

Son urged the Senate and Chamber of Deputies to send working groups and parliamentarians to Vietnam to promote consultation and coordination mechanisms at multilateral forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP)

He also proposed that the two sides closely monitor the implementation of signed agreements for mutual benefit.

Son stated the Vietnam NA is eager to create a niche for Czech businesses to invest in the country and expressed his conviction that Vietnam will serve as a bridge for the Czech Republic to approach other ASEAN countries.

Son extended an invitation to leaders of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies to visit Vietnam and attend the 132nd IPU General Assembly slated for March 2015.

For their part, both Milan Stech and Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies Vojtech Filip welcomed the Vietnamese delegation and accepted the invitation to attend the IPU 132

Vojtech said his nation supports signing the FTA between Vietnam and EU and the recognition of Vietnam’s full market economy status, believing that President Truong Tan Sang’s future visit will help seek stronger economic and trade cooperation measures.

Regarding to the East Sea issue, Vice Chairman Son pointed out the apparent absurdity of the "U-shaped line" in the East Sea map drawn by China, and asked the Czech Republic to pay heed to stabilizing regional situation and ensuring maritime safety in the East Sea.

“Vietnam wants the Czech Republic to back its stance of resolving maritime disputes by peaceful means in conformity with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) towards the building of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC)” Son noted.

The Vietnamese delegation and Deputy Minister of Defence Tomas Kuchta discussed measures to boost cooperation in defence technology and exchange UN peace-keeping operation experience.

It also held working sessions with the Vietnamese Embassy and leaders of the Vietnamese Association in the Czech Republic and branches in Brno and Pardubice.

Vietnam attends ASEAN Chief Justices Meeting

A Vietnamese delegation led by Chief Judge of the Vietnam Supreme People's Court Truong Hoa Binh attended the second ASEAN Chief Justices Meeting in Kuala Lumpur on September 19.

The meeting served as a forum for chief justices in regional countries to share views on issues of mutual concern and facilitate judicial co-operation and collaboration amongst ASEAN judiciaries, promoting economic growth and development in the region.

Participants discussed and approved the minutes of the first meeting held in Singapore in August 2013. They strongly supported an initiative to build an e-portal of ASEAN judiciaries and reached agreement on some basic issues related to the operation of the e-portal such as information, language and content.

They agreed upon a judicial training cooperation model proposed by Indonesia and hailed an initiative to organise training courses for justices to deal with trans-border environment disputes in the regional bloc.

They also talked about some initiatives proposed by countries, such as intensifying training, and maintaining direct cooperative relations among judiciaries.

Meeting with Chief Justice of Malaysia Arifin Zin Zakaria on the sidelines of the meeting, Binh and his host stressed the need to build and strengthen judicial cooperation in judicial reform, court management, information technology application and training.

In the initial period, the two sides will negotiate and sign a cooperative agreement, laying a foundation for long-term cooperation in the time ahead.

Binh and Chief Justice of Indonesia at their meeting also examined ways to boost bilateral cooperation between the two court sectors.

Government will facilitate Yen Bai’s development: PM

The Government will pay special attention to facilitating the sustainable growth of Yen Bai so that the northern mountainous province can gradually narrow the development gap with other localities nationwide, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

PM Dung made the pledge at his working session with provincial leaders on September 19 as part of his tour to the northern mountainous region.

He hailed efforts made and achievements gained by the local authorities and people during the socio-economic development process. Economic growth was maintained at a high rate, estimated at 10.4% for this year, while transport infrastructure, especially in rural areas, was upgraded and the rate of poor households, though still at a high level, has reduced by 4% compared to last year.

The Government leader asked local authorities to bring into full play the province’s potential and advantages in agriculture and forestry.

Notably, the province should make use of the advantages created by the new Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway to access Hanoi and Chinese markets, he said, adding that the government will allocate money to help localities build roads to the highway.

He also urged Yen Bai to create favourable conditions for businesses to invest in rural areas, in order to generate jobs and raise income for labourers.

The PM stressed the need for Yen Bai province to pay more attention to poverty reduction, especially for ethnic minority groups.

In the first eight months of 2014, the province saw positive socio-economic changes with industrial production estimated to increase by 7%. This year, its GDP growth is predicted to gain 10.4%, while the rate of poor households reduces to 21.38%, down by 4% compared to that of 2013.

Earlier, PM Dung visited the An Hoa Paper Joint Stock Company in Son Duong district in Tuyen Quang province.

The company is running two projects worth nearly VND9.5 trillion (more than US$450 million), which are creating jobs for nearly 1,200 labourers.

New Parliament House to begin operations in October

Construction on the Parliament House and new Ba Dinh Hall is expected to be completed by October 20, just in time to hold the eighth session of the 13th National Assembly (NA).

Nguyen Tien Thanh, Manager of the New Parliament Project, updated NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Deputy PM Hoang Trung Hai on the progress made during a working session on September 19.

In the meeting, NA Vice Chairwoman Ngan said the handing-over procedures would soon be started to make the building fully operational as soon as possible.

Meanwhile, Deputy PM Hai said the project would be completed within days, urging contractors to increase their resources to meet the deadlines and standards provided.

The Deputy PM also said labour safety and construction site security should be respected at all times, and proposed that the fire safety system be completed sooner than scheduled in order to be able to test all the security systems together.

Russia, Vietnam foster legislative cooperation

Bilateral cooperation between the Vietnam National Assembly (NA) and the Federation Council of the Russian Federation (FCRF) has been consolidated and flourished in recent years.

The 2012 signing of a cooperation agreement between the NA and the FCRF has created a legal foundation for exchanging experience in legislation and supervision, as well as information on the structure and operation of the two countries’ legislative bodies.

The statements were made by NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong at a meeting with FCRF Chairwoman Velentina Ivanovna Matviyenko in Vientiane, Laos, on September 19 on the sidelines of the 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-35).

Phong proposed that the two sides maintain reciprocal visits of different organisations to promote mutual understanding, share experience in legislation, and monitor their governments in implementing agreements, in order to accomplish priority tasks.

The Vietnam National Assembly will do its utmost to foster and develop the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, Phong assured Matviyenko.

She urged the State Duma to support the ongoing negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Belarus, Kazakhstan, and Russia, and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to live and work in the country.

For her part, Matviyenko expressed her belief that bilateral ties will expand and develop in line with a comprehensive cooperation strategy between the two countries. She proposed that the two parliaments strengthen mutual support at international parliamentary forums.

Matviyenko revealed that Russia is willing to help Vietnam develop global positioning system (GPS) and accelerate the implementation of a cooperation agreement on Dung Quat Oil Refinery. She said she hopes the two legislative bodies will soon sign a cooperation agreement soon.

The FCRF leader affirmed that Russia will grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students and assist Vietnam in developing human resources.

She also revealed Russia is looking forwards to welcoming Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in the near future.

Chinese vessels often breach Vietnam’s territorial waters

As many as 1,200 Chinese fishing vessels illegally enter the territorial waters of Vietnam to harvest fish annually, a conference heard in Danang on September 19.

Reviewing the Vietnam-China Fishery Cooperation Agreement in the Bac Bo (Tonkin) Gulf, delegates warned fisheries resources in the Tonkin Gulf are declining due to overexploitation.

Nguyen Ngoc Oai, deputy head of the General Fisheries Department and Chairman of the Vietnam-China Joint Committee for Cooperation in Fisheries (VCJCCF), suggested that the two countries should increase the fish stockings in the Gulf to halt the deterioration.

Since the beginning of this year, Vietnamese localities have been implementing this task to increase fisheries resources, he said.

Delegates also agreed that both countries have made bona fide efforts to ensure security and peace in the East Sea and have conducted themselves within the spirit of the Fishery Cooperation Agreement, since it was signed ten years ago.

President Truong Tan Sang offered incense to Vietnam’s founding fathers, Hung Kings, at the national historical relic site of the Hung Kings’ Temple in the northern province of Phu Tho on September 18.

After the ceremony at Kinh Thien Shrine on Nghia Linh Mountain, President Sang and leaders of Phu Tho province laid down wreaths of flowers in tribute to the late President Ho Chi Minh, who visited the Hung Kings’ Temple on September 19, 1954, after successfully leading the country’s nine-year resistance against French occupation.

During the visit, President Ho Chi Minh met with soldiers and officers of Tien Phong Division and advised them that “ the Hung Kings had made great efforts to found the nation, you and I have to work hard together to defend the nation” – these words that went down in history as part of the President’s teachings.

Phu Tho held a ceremony, featuring numerous performances, to celebrate the 60 years since President Ho Chi Minh’s visit.

The temple is located on Nghia Linh Mountain in Phong Chau district, Phu Tho province, approximately 100km northwest of Hanoi. It is a large complex comprising ancient tombs, monuments and temples.

In 2012, UNESCO recognised the worshipping of the Hung Kings as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity.

Lao Cai needs to optimise potential for sustainable development: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai to fully tap its potential and advantages, especially those in tourism, service and cross-border trade, so as to achieve a faster growth.

During a working session with key officials of the locality on September 20, PM Dung reminded local authorities to pay special attention to taking advantage of tourism potential for promoting sustainable development.

In addition, he asked the locality to further foster the mineral exploitation and processing industry as well as agro-forestry production, adding that the province should take more drastic measures for the implementation of the national strategy programme on the building of new-style rural areas.

With regard to a development plan for the popular tourist destination of Sa Pa, the PM said Lao Cai needs to make careful study and may invite foreign consultants if necessary so that the plan can optimise Sa Pa’s potential and advantages while preserving the local cultural characteristics, natural landscape and heritages as well as protecting the environment.

He also suggested the local authorities work out appropriate policies to mobilise investment resources for developing transport infrastructure, and those for tourism and service development.

According to Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Doan Van Huong, Lao Cai’s socio-economic development saw positive changes in the first nine month of this year, with an economic growth estimated at 13.7 percent. The number of tourists to Lao Cai increased 33 percent from the same period last year.

The report on the future plan for Sa Pa said the town will be developed into a tourism urban area covering around 363 ha and comprising urban residential areas, tourism sites, several agriculture zones and the Hoang Lien National Park.

The same day, PM Dung made an inspection tour of the construction site of a cable car line to Fansipan peak, which is scheduled to be completed by late April, 2015.

Government will facilitate Yen Bai’s development: PM

The Government will pay special attention to facilitating the sustainable growth of Yen Bai so that the northern mountainous province can gradually narrow the development gap with other localities nationwide, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

PM Dung made the pledge at his working session with provincial leaders on September 19 as part of his tour to the northern mountainous region.

He hailed efforts made and achievements gained by the local authorities and people during the socio-economic development process. Economic growth was maintained at a high rate, estimated at 10.4 percent for this year, while transport infrastructure, especially in rural areas, was upgraded and the rate of poor households, though still at a high level, has reduced by 4 percent compared to last year.

The Government leader asked local authorities to bring into full play the province’s potential and advantages in agriculture and forestry.

Notably, the province should make use of the advantages created by the new Noi Bai-Lao Cai Highway to access Hanoi and Chinese markets, he said, adding that the government will allocate money to help localities build roads to the highway.

He also urged Yen Bai to create favourable conditions for businesses to invest in rural areas, in order to generate jobs and raise income for labourers.

The PM stressed the need for Yen Bai province to pay more attention to poverty reduction, especially for ethnic minority groups.

In the first eight months of 2014, the province saw positive socio-economic changes with industrial production estimated to increase by 7 percent. This year, its GDP growth is predicted to gain 10.4 percent, while the rate of poor households reduces to 21.38 percent, down by 4 percent compared to that of 2013.

Earlier, PM Dung visited the An Hoa Paper Joint Stock Company in Son Duong district in Tuyen Quang province.

The company is running two projects worth nearly 9.5 trillion VND (more than 450 million USD), which are creating jobs for nearly 1,200 labourers.

VN- Bulgaria Friendship Association launched in HCM City

A congress was held in Ho Chi Minh City to inaugurate the municipal branch of the Vietnam-Bulgaria Friendship Association for the 2014-2019 tenure.

In its first phase, the branch will promote information on Vietnam and Bulgaria , including their lands, peoples and cultures, to strengthen mutual understanding between the two peoples and expand diplomatic exchanges and economic cooperation.

Addressing the event, Bulgarian Ambassador to Vietnam Evegueni Stoytchev said the association will serve as a platform for people-to-people dialogues between the two countries and offer prospects for future bilateral collaboration.

Bulgaria was one of the first countries to establish diplomatic ties with Vietnam in 1950. The country has helped Vietnam train over 3,600 scientists and experts, and 30,000 workers in a number of fields.

In recent years, the two nations signed a number of documents establishing a legal framework for their cooperation with a particular focus on economy, trade, education and training, culture and tourism.

HCM City boosts links with Lao localities

Ho Chi Minh City is promoting effective cooperation with Lao localities, including capital Vientiane, Champassak and Savanakhet, in various areas. Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam made the remarks while receiving Lao Defence Minister Sengnoune Sayalath in the city on September 20.

Affirming the traditional friendship and special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos, she expressed her wish that Laos will continue creating conditions for businesses of Vietnam in general and Ho Chi Minh City in particular to invest in the country, contributing to develop the bilateral ties to a new level.

For his part, the Lao minister said he hopes that Ho Chi Minh City enterprises will increase investment in Lao localities and help train human resources for his country.

Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Lao counterpart

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for his visiting Lao counterpart Somsavath Lengsavad in Hanoi on September 20.

The host and guest expressed their delight at fruitful results of the bilateral comprehensive cooperation in recent times.

The two countries effectively implemented the agreement signed between the two Politburos of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee as well as high-level arrangements.

Cooperation in the field of politics, foreign relations, defence-security, economics, trade, socio-culture between the two countries have also been deepened and expanded.

The two Deputy PMs underlined the need for the two sides to work closer so as to successfully organise the 37 th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee.

Phuc and Somsavath affirmed that they will continue to direct ministries, sector, locality and enterprises of the two countries to collaborate together in implementing agreements reached between the two governments, in order to create breakthroughs in the bilateral cooperation.-

Ugandan Deputy Prime Minister welcomed in Hanoi

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception in Hanoi on September 19 for his Ugandan counterpart Henry Kajura Muganwa, who is on a Vietnam visit at the invitation of the T&T Corporation.

Phuc described the visit as an important step that helps create conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to study the Ugandan market and seek Ugandan partners for their business and investment activities.

He suggested the two countries’ high-ranking leaders increase visits to exchange development experience and sign agreements to lay the legal foundation for economic cooperation.

Henry Kajura said he is impressed by the development of Vietnam at present, adding that the two countries hold a lot of similarities and have opportunities to expand bilateral ties, particularly in trade.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Government and businesses will step up business and investment cooperation with Uganda in the fields it has advantages such as fisheries, agriculture, and oil and gas.

Vietnamese, Russian legislatures set for stronger ties

National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong proposed the legislatures of Vietnam and Russia foster ties through exchanging all-level delegations, diversifying bilateral ties, fostering people-to-people diplomacy, and sharing experiences in making law.

In a meeting with Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia’s Federal Assembly Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko on September 19 as part of the 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-35) in Laos , Phong said the National Assembly of Vietnam will do its utmost to strengthen the comprehensive strategic cooperation with Russia in the future.

The two bodies should promote their roles in supervising the implementation of agreements reached by the two governments, she said, adding that the cooperation agreement of 2012 has created a legal foundation for stepping up bilateral links in the field.

Phong also called on the Russian State Duma to support the negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia, Belarus and Kazakhstan as well as create favourable conditions for Vietnamese people to live and work in the country.

On her part, Matviyenko expressed her hope that Vietnam-Russia relations would be tightened in times to come, in line with the bilateral comprehensive cooperation strategy, suggesting that the two legislatures continue to bolster mutual support at global parliamentary forums.

She said Russia is willing to help Vietnam develop its global positioning system and accelerate the implementation of a cooperation agreement involving the Dung Quat oil refinery project in Vietnam .

The Russian legislator affirmed that the Russian Government would provide more scholarships for Vietnamese students, and help Vietnam train its human resources in the future.

India-Vietnam partnership to expand rapidly: President Mukherjee

Indian President Pranab Mukherjee said he is confident that the India-Vietnam relations will grow from strength to strength and their strategic partnership will be deepened and expanded rapidly in the coming years.

The website of the Indian Ministry of Foreign Affairs on September 18 quoted Mukherjee as saying so in his interaction with the media on his visit to Vietnam from September 14-17.

President Mukherjee said the Vietnamese government committed to taking the relationship to new heights, adding that the two sides concluded seven agreements/memoranda of understanding and released a Joint Communique, which will provide the institutional framework for mutually beneficial exchanges.

He said he is convinced that his visit will provide fresh impetus and momentum to the two countries’ close friendship and strategic partnership, which is based on civilisational contacts, modern day solidarity and great potential for the future.

The foundation of bilateral relations, laid by the exchanges between the Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh, Prime Minister Pt. Nehru and President Dr. Rajendra Prasad, has been consolidated by successive generations of leadership on both sides.

The countries’ strategic partnership, established in 2007, is marked by a high degree of trust. Today, security and defence cooperation between the two countries is robust and growing with India helping Vietnam in training and capacity building, and provision of Line of Credit of 100 million USD for purchase of some critical equipment, Mukherjee noted.

Political relations between India and Vietnam have always been strong and ‘cloudless’, he said, the time has come however for them to focus with renewed energy and fresh determination on strengthening economic engagement, connectivity and people-to-people exchanges, particularly amongst the youth.

The Indian leader said Vietnam’s economic growth and development over the last two decades has been impressive, and there is great scope to expand and diversify their trade exchanges.

Both sides have set a new target of 15 billion USD worth of trade by 2020. The Vietnamese side has promised that they will provide a favourable environment for further investments from India.

The countries expect business partnerships and joint ventures to grow in the area of infrastructure, agro-processing, textiles, agro-chemicals, manufacturing, hydrocarbons, energy and many others, he added.

To improve connectivity, India’s Jet Airways will commence direct flights to Ho Chi Minh City from Mumbai from November 5, 2014, and Vietnam Airlines will fly to India in early 2015. This will open up the potential for greater flows of people-to-people contacts for businesses, for students and for tourists.

President Mukherjee added that India and Vietnam, as two of the fastest growing economies of Asia, will provide stability and growth to this region and the world.

Increasing the role and position of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) in the political system and society is crucial when it comes to strengthening national solidarity and development.

The eighth national congress of the Vietnam Fatherland Front is to take place in Hanoi from September 25-27, under the theme “Solidarity – Democracy – Renovation – Development”, the VFF Standing Committee announced at a press conference on September 16.

More than 1,000 Vietnamese delegates from all social backgrounds, ethnicities, religions, countries of residence and professions are expected to participate in the event to review the organisation’s performance and devise an action plan for the 2014-2019 period.

The personnel structure for the next tenure will see a rise in the number of individuals representing the working class, farmers, small traders and residents of the island districts, in a bid to jointly safeguard the sovereignty of Vietnam ’s seas and islands.

Vice Chairman and General Secretary of the VFF’s Central Committee Vu Trong Kim said the organisation must invigorate its operations to be able to fully protect the legitimate rights and interests of the people.

In the 2013 Constitution, VFF is responsible for the tasks of creating social consensus; contributing to building a strong Party and administration through social supervision and criticism; and developing relations between the people of Vietnam and other nations around the world.

In 1977, VFF was created out of the Vietnamese Fatherland Front of North Vietnam , the National Liberation Front of South Vietnam and the Alliance of National, Democratic and Peace Forces of South Vietnam.

It acts as an umbrella organisation for Vietnamese socio-political organisations and forms the political base of the people’s power. During the process of nation-building and national development, the VFF plays a significant role in strengthening the block of solidarity.

Asian News Network aims for common voice of Asia

The Asia News Network (ANN) is looking forward to developing its image as the common voice of Asia.

At the ANN’s annual meeting in Hanoi on September 18, Pana Janviroj, ANN President, said the network outlined a plan to upgrade its website making it easier for members to share their photographs and videos.

Janviroj, who is also the Editor-In-Chief of Thailand’s The Nations, said the ANN also trialed an initiative connecting readers throughout the region by giving its online subscribers the opportunity to access four ANN newspapers online via the network’s website.

In order to develop a new generation of journalists capable of covering the region’s news, ANN would coordinate with journalism training centres in the region, and fast-track multimedia initiatives to be able to cover the region’s issues more comprehensively, he said.

By 2015, the network is expected to have established an effective partnership between members, enabling it to publish in-depth news on various current affairs, including migrant labourers, the impact of the ASEAN Economic Community, human trafficking, and food safety, Janviroj added.

Participants from 22 member press agencies from 19 countries focused on how to make full use of modern technology in journalism and enhance cooperation amongst members.

They also shared information and experience, as well as measures to address the declines in readership and advertisement revenue for printed press in the context of social networks and electronic newspapers.

Asif Ullah Khan, Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Brunei Times told his colleagues that, in a bid to attract more readers, they had added multimedia bulletins with audio and video footage in English, Chinese and Malay to the online newspaper.

Brunei Times also sends messages to subscribers to inform them of breaking news, he said.

Meanwhile, representatives of the Korea Herald from the Republic of Korea said the newspaper dedicated entire columns to Korean music and films to compete with social networks freelancers.

An ANN delegation is scheduled to work with the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) on September 19.

This year’s ANN meeting is a joint effort between VNA’s Vietnam News paper and the German foundation Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung.

Networking between Asian newspapers started off as an informal discussion between editors participating in the first Asian-German Editors’ Forum organised by the Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung in Manila . ANN was officially established in March 1999.

VOV/VNS/VNA