Malaysia thanks Vietnam for jet missing search efforts 

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak has thanked the Vietnamese Government and people and his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung for their great support in scouring for the missing plane MH370.

In a phone conversation with PM Dung on March 17, the Malaysian PM praised Vietnam’s valuable support which demonstrated the two countries’ close-knit friendship.

He said he hopes that Vietnam will continue coordination in sharing information and data aiming to facilitate search work.

Dung told Najib Tun Razak that to date no information has been confirmed about the missing jetliner that flew to Vietnam’s airspace.

Vietnam will continue to work closely with Malaysia and relevant parties as well as provide necessary documents to search for the lost plane, Dung added.

Vietnam supports constructive dialogues on human rights

Vietnam’s permanent representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh has commended member countries’ efforts and commitment to the promotion of human rights.

Thanh made the comment on March 17 at a United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) dialogue on the human rights situation in Myanmar, Iran and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) held in Geneva, Switzerland.

In a prepared statement, the Vietnamese diplomat applauded Myanmar’s commitment to economic-political reform, democratisation, national harmonisation and the promotion of citizens’ rights.

Thanh also hailed the efforts by the UN Human Rights Council and the international community to support Myanmar during this historical period.

He underscored the need for enhanced cooperation with Myanmar by all member nations and affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to share experience with Myanmar in areas such as national reconstruction and socio-economic development.

In regards to the DPRK, Thanh urged all member nations to pursue a policy of constructive dialogue in search of long-term solutions to alleviate the ongoing tensions in the Korean Peninsula.

Priorities should first be given to humanitarian issues, focusing on those pertaining to food, education, healthcare and support for women and children, he commented.

Concerning Iran, Thanh said Vietnam hails the effort of the new Iranian Government, saying that recently announced energy programmes will open up a new period of cooperation between Iran and the world, thus promoting regional security and peace.

Other issues tabled for discussion at the UNHRC’s 25th session include the rights of migrants, children, ethnic minorities and sustainable development beyond 2015.

The session is also scheduled to dilate on draft resolutions on human rights in a number of countries before adjourning on March 28.

PM Dung welcomes EU Trade Commissioner

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on March 17 hosted a reception for Trade Commissioner of the European Union Karel De Gucht who is in Hanoi for the seventh round of talks on the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement (FTA).

PM Dung expressed his hope that the talks scheduled for March 17-21, will be productive so as to accelerate the finalization of FTA by October as expected.

The early completion of the FTA will bring practical benefits to both sides, Dung said while reaffirming that Vietnam is doing its utmost to reach this goal.

The Vietnamese leader suggested the EU recognize Vietnam as a full market economy as soon as possible.

De Gucht said he was satisfied with the outcome of the previous FTA talks and stated that the EU is working closely with Vietnam to complete negotiations soon.

The EU is the second largest trade partner and the biggest export market of Vietnam.

As of November 2013, two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU reached more than US$30 billion, up 17.35 percent from the same period of a year earlier. Vietnam’s key EU exports are footwear, garments and textiles, coffee, wood products and seafood. 

Cambodia, Vietnam join hands to combat crime

Police forces of Vietnam and Cambodia have actively cooperated in combating trans-national crime in a multitude of areas, police officials said on March 16.

General Tran Dai Quang, Vietnamese Minister of Public Security and Cambodian Interior Minister Sar Kheng made the announcement at a conference in Ho Chi Minh City.

They said numerous drug trafficking rings have been shut down and across the border trade frauds have been put out of business, among others, helping to promote friendly relations and ensure security along border lines.

Over the years, agreements on crime prevention between the two Governments and plans aimed at crime prevention and security boosting have been effectively implemented, bringing positive results.

Quang spoke highly of Cambodia’s close coordination in ensuring security and timely apprehension of Vietnamese criminals who fled across the border into Cambodia.

The two sides agreed to intensify the fight against human and drug trafficking under their signed agreements.

National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Sinh Hung on March 17 met with the Director General of the UN Office in Geneva, Michael Moller, as part of his trip to Switzerland for the 130th General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and his delegation pose for a picture at the UN Office in Geneva.— Photo: VOV

The NA leader also visited the UN office where the Geneva Agreements of 1954 (also referred to as “Geneva Accords”) were signed, putting an end to the first Indochina war.

Visiting the historical office, Hung said that 60 years on the images of the Dien Bien Phu victory and the Geneva Agreements remained deeply imprinted on the visual memories of the Vietnamese people and humankind throughout the world.

After nearly three decades of pursuing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process, Vietnam has reaped the enormous achievements, fulfilling most of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and effectively implementing policies on poverty reduction and social affairs.

Vietnam is a pro-active and responsible member at regional and international forums in which it has well performed its role as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2008-2009 term and been elected as a full member of the UN Human Rights Council.

After 35 years of maintaining the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) membership, Vietnam will host for the first time the 132nd IPU General Assembly in Hanoi in 2015, Hung said.

Meeting with staff from the Vietnamese mission in Geneva and the Vietnamese embassy and overseas Vietnamese representatives in Switzerland, the top legislator informed them about new points in the Constitution, saying that the revised Constitution indicates the national comprehensive changes.

The Vietnamese Party, State and NA always pay attention to the Vietnamese community abroad and are willing to create every condition for them to make greater contributions to national development, Hung said.

He voiced his hope that Vietnamese nationals abroad as well in Switzerland always turn their hearts to the homeland by supporting each other and promoting investment, business, education and training, trade, science-technology, culture and tourism as a contribution to national construction and defence.

Vietnam presses for world peace at IPU’s session

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has called for fostering stronger mutual trust to forge sustainable peace and promote democracy and prosperity.

He made the appeal at the plenary session of the 130th Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-130) that opened in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 17.

Stressing Vietnam’s stance that favours a world of peace, cooperation and prosperity, Chairman Hung said Vietnam backs non-proliferation of arms towards fully eliminating weapons of mass destruction, especially nuclear weapons.

Vietnam strongly condemns terrorist acts and threats all over the world and hails the IPU for intensifying cooperation among legislatures, especially in the sharing of information against terrorism, he noted.

He added that the country hopes the IPU is further upholding its role in ensuring and promoting democracy.

The top legislator also expressed thanks to IPU member states for approving Vietnam’s organization of the IPU-132 in Hanoi in March 2015.

The IPU-130, from March 16-19, brought together over 700 delegates from over 160 member countries to discussions relating to nuclear disarmament, child protection, maintenance of world peace, IPU post-2015 action plan, and efforts to boost democracy and parliamentary roles.

On the fringes of the event, Chairman Hung met with Speaker of Bangladeshi Parliament Shirin Sharmin Chaudhury, during which he confirmed that the Vietnamese legislative body always treasures and wishes to develop ties with the Bangladeshi law-making body and people.

Chaudhury said she believes that the IPU Secretariat’s support together with Vietnam’s prestige will make the IPU-132 a success, contributing to realizing its common goals. She also agreed to bolster links with the Vietnamese NA in law-making and exchange of delegations.

Chairman Hung then attended the inauguration of the Vietnamese cultural space at the Geneva international convention centre, where photos, materials and traditional arts of Vietnam are on display.

Party Chief Trong conveys high hopes for Hue Province

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has said he hopes central Thua Thien-Hue Province will become one of six cities run by the central Government in Ha Noi by 2015.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visits residents in Hong Ha commune, A Luoi district, the most impoverished locality in Thua Thien-Hue.

Trong also said he hoped the province would become a major hub in Southeast Asia by 2020.

The Party leader was speaking at a working session with provincial officials in the locality yesterday, March 17.

He said Thua Thien-Hue had to devise development programmes targeting foreign investment.

At present, the province has great development potential, including many intellectuals who could form the basis of a high quality workforce, sea-based economic advantages and priceless examples of cultural heritage, he added.

Between 2011 and 2013, Thua Thien-Hue had an annual economic growth rate of more than 10 per cent, while its tax collections for the State budget rose by 12.1 per cent annually.

During the period, the province's gross domestic product per capita reached US$1,700, up more than 1.6 times from 2009.

Tourism revenue grew 19 per cent year on year while the official number of poor households had been reduced to 6.5 per cent.

On the same day, Trong visited residents in Hong Ha commune, A Luoi district, the most impoverished locality in Thua Thien-Hue.

Viet Nam now has five centrally-run cities, namely Ha Noi, HCM City, Hai Phong, Da Nang and Can Tho.

PMs discuss missing jet

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was involved in a telephone call with his Malaysian counterpart Najib Tun Razak on March 17, discussing upcoming plans to search for the Malaysia Airlines aircraft that has been missing since March 8.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung stated that Vietnam, with its responsibility to offer humanitarian support, had mobilised all of its search and rescue forces since the day that the plane went missing mid-flight.

Najib thanked the Vietnamese Government and people for their swift support in searching for the plane, saying that the assistance has evidenced the growing neighbourly relations and the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

He said he hopes Vietnam will continue working closely with Malaysia in its ongoing hunt for the plane, as well as sharing information and data that may shed light on its ultimate fate as soon as possible.

Prime Minister Dung stated that Vietnam, with its responsibility to offer humanitarian support, had mobilised all of its search and rescue forces since the day that the plane went missing mid-flight.

After being asked by Najib whether the plane had entered Vietnam's airspace at any time, Dung replied that no evidence has yet been found to prove that it did.

He went on to stress that Vietnam will continue working with and being strongly ready for the search alongside Malaysia and other countries. He also asked the Malaysian side to provide the latest information to Vietnam and others to promote the search operation.

Exhibition tells tale of two cities

An exhibition featuring urban mutations of France's Rhone-Alpes region and Ho Chi Minh City, aims to show the relationship between the two metropolises.

The exhibition Meandering Through the City, which takes place from March 16-23 at Lam Son squarein HCM City's District 1, presents the innovative urban policies of the two cities. The exhibit explores large urban projects in both cities, the management of public spaces, and the role of nature in urban centres - themes influencing urban development in the two cities.

With more than 300 pictures, display panels, videos, 3D animations and touch-screens, the exhibition offers a chance to experience the two metropolises and gain an insight into major challenges affecting their development.

With water a central theme to the exhibition,visitors can get an insight into water planning, flooding and climate change, river management and efforts to ensure water quality.

In relation to urban development and expansion, visitors can also get a glimpse into how both cities are tackling urban sprawl, implementing major infrastructure projects, preserving built and natural heritage and managing the transformation of the skyline.

Meanwhile, the exhibition also delves into important issues affecting mobility, such as the construction of major infrastructure projects and improvements to the public transport networks.

The exhibition is a joint effort between the French Consulate General in HCM City, the HCM City Urban Development Management Support Centre (PADDI), the Department of Urban Planning and Architecture, the Department of Foreign Affairs and the Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Cambodian royal army visits Central Highlands

Vietnam’s Central Highlands region and the northeastern provinces of Cambodia will speed up the process of land border demarcation and marker planting as set forth by the two countries’ leaders.

The consensus was reached at a March 17 working session between Tran Viet Hung, deputy head of the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands region and General Chia Mon, Deputy Commander of the Land Forces and Commander of Military Zone 4 of Cambodia.

The two sides have set to enhance cooperation in economics and education and in spoiling hostile forces’ plots to sabotage the two countries’ solidarity and friendship.

Hung briefed his guests on the region’s socio-economic situation, national defence and security, as well as cooperative achievements between Cambodia’s northwestern provinces and Central Highlands localities.

He also highlighted the two sides’ collaboration in protecting the common borderline in accordance with agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders.

For his part, General Chia Mon thanked the Party, State, volunteer soldiers and people of Vietnam for their support to help Cambodian people escape the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime and rebuild their country.

US air force commander visits Vietnam

Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty, Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, hosted a reception for General Herbert J Carlisle, Commander of the US’ Pacific Air Forces, in Hanoi on March 17.

Ty, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, said that in recent years defence relations between Vietnam and the US have made practical and effective developments.

Vietnam acknowledged the US Department of Defence for its cooperation in English language training, humanitarian aid, disaster mitigation, and seeking for US soldiers who went missing in the American war in Vietnam, he noted.

Carlisle suggested both sides continue the exchange of information, adding that the Pacific Air Forces will work closely with its Vietnamese counterpart in training personnel, providing aerospace medicine, disaster relief aid, airborne search and rescue operations, and ensuring safe flights.

Vietnam, RoK boost cooperation in defence security

The Republic of Korea will spare no effort to help Vietnam become a model country in ensuring its defence network security, according to a senior Korean official.

Chul Hi Yu, General Director of the Information Policy Bureau under the RoK’s Ministry of National Defence, made the affirmation during a meeting with Lt. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army in Hanoi on March 17.

Chul, who is on a working visit to Vietnam, said network security plays an important role in developing the economy and keeping a nation’s military secrets, adding that the RoK is experienced in the field and has cooperated with many countries in Asia Pacific in ensuring defence security.

His visit to Vietnam aims to realise a cooperation agreement reached between the two countries’ defence ministries in 2013, he stressed.

For his part, Lt. Gen. Tuan said the two sides need to outline specific plans for their cooperation, especially in training military personnel to face increasingly complex issues in the field.

Deputy PM appeals for Irish aid

Vietnam wants the Irish government to maintain official development assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, focusing on health care, education and overcoming the consequences of unexploded ordnance, according to Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

The Deputy Prime Minister expressed the wish during a meeting with Irish Minister of State for Disability, Equality and Mental Health Kathleen Lynch in Hanoi on March 17.

He asked Ireland to back Vietnam’s bid in strengthening comprehensive cooperation with the European Union towards the early conclusion of the Vietnam-EU Partnership Cooperation Agreement (PCA) as well as a free trade agreement (FTA).

The Deputy PM urged the EU country to share experience and assist Vietnam’s preparations for taking part in the United Nations peace-keeping activities while helping train English-language teachers and teaching English for Vietnamese defence staff.

The Irish Minister of State said that Ireland is willing to share experience and help Vietnam in certain areas.

She suggested both countries should further promote trade, investment and tourism to match their potential.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA