Russian President to pay state-level visit to Viet Nam

 

 

President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin will pay a state-level visit to Viet Nam on November 12 at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang, the Foreign Ministry has announced.

Viet Nam and Russia established a strategic partnership in 2001 and upgraded the relationship to the level of a comprehensive strategic partnership in 2012.

Caribbean ties established

Two joint communiques were signed at the United Nations on Friday, pledging stronger ties between Viet Nam and Caribbean nations.

The signatories included Vietnamese Ambassador to the UN Le Hoai Trung, Saint Kitts and Nevis Federation Ambassador Delano Frank, and the Ambassador from the Commonwealth of Dominica, Vince Henderson.

The agreement is the latest effort by Viet Nam to expand its relationship with Caribbean countries and those in Latin America.

The document aims to increase bilateral relations and build co-operation with the two Caribbean nations, in line with the Government's foreign policy objectives.

The signed documents will be submitted to the Secretary General of the United Nations Ban Ki-moon.

Russia approves labour immigration agreement

Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a bilateral labour cooperation agreement on November 2 to ensure more effective management for migrant workers both in Russia and Vietnam.

The inter-governmental agreement on temporary labour migration, signed by the two governments in Moscow on October 27, 2008, has been ratified by the Russian Duma (Lower House) and Federation Council (the Upper House of Parliament).

It aims at managing immigrated labours to suit the socio-economic development of each country, while establishing an international legal framework to regulate the temporary employment of Russian citizens on Vietnamese territory and Vietnamese workers in Russia.

The document specifies procedures and regulations on labour immigration, social issues, healthcare services, tax, immigration and travelling by citizens of the two countries.

The paper also underlined the migrant workers’ legal status, ensuring their rights and freedom, legal protection and private safety as foreign citizens in line with the host country’s law.

Viet Nam, Canada strengthen defence co-operation

Viet Nam and Canada have explored areas of defence co-operation that play to both of their strengths, such as the exchange of all-level delegations, United Nations peacekeeping missions and humanitarian issues.

During talks between Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh and his Canadian counterpart Michael Martin as part of the former's visit to Canada last week, both sides shared the view that maritime security and safety, especially sovereignty disputes on waters in the Asia-Pacific, posed a potential threat to world peace and stability.

They said that the sovereignty disputes must be settled by peaceful means in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and other ASEAN declarations on the East Sea.

The Canadian side spoke highly of the ASEAN's role in promoting multilateral security cooperation mechanisms in the region, especially those on defence between ASEAN and its partners like the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Canada hopes for Viet Nam's support so that the country can join the ADMM+, Martin said.

Vinh conveyed Defence Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh's invitation to Canadian Minister of National Defence Robert Nicholson to visit Viet Nam in the coming time.

During the visit, the first by a high-ranking delegation from the Defence Ministry of Canada, Vietnamese officials also paid a courtesy call to Chief of the Canadian Defence Staff, Gen. Thomas Lawson and visited the Peace Support Training Centre and several army units.

The visit was made as one of several activities celebrating the 40th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations.

Viet Nam, India foster security ties

Development of Viet Nam-India ties in security, police, law building and crime prevention and control have contributed to fostering the bilateral ties between the two countries, said Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang.

Quang made the statement while meeting Indian National Security Consultant Shiv Shankar Menon on Thursday during his visit to India.

Quang said he hoped that Viet Nam's Ministry of Public Security and India's National Security Council would soon sign a Memorandum of Understanding to create a legal basis for the two sides to increase exchanges of information relating to the interests and national security of each country.

For his part, Menon said co-operation in security and national defence was one among the many important pillars of the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.

He wished the two sides would continue expanding co-operation to other areas such as Internet security and information security.

Vietnam values ties with Middle East, North Africa

Vietnam always attaches importance to boosting the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with the Middle East- North Africa, top Vietnamese diplomat has said.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh made the remarks in an article in anticipation of an economic cooperation forum between Vietnam and the Middle East-North Africa which is slated for November 4-5 in Hanoi.

“Despite the geographical distance, Vietnam and the Middle East - North Africa boast time-honoured cooperative and friendly ties, which have withstood by the test of the history’s ups and downs,” Minh said.

On such base, marked achievements have been made in the relationship between Vietnam and the countries over the past years, he said.

In terms of politics, the Vietnamese people and those of the regional countries have shared a strong bond and given a great support to each other during the past struggle for national independence and the current national construction and development.

The two sides have maintained regular exchanges of delegations at all levels, particularly high-ranking delegations. Among them were Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's visits to the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Kuwait and Qatar in 2009; those by President Nguyen Minh Triet to Saudi Arabia, Tunisia and Algeria in 2010; the visits to Vietnam by the Prime Ministers of Kuwait (2007) and Morocco (2008) and the visit by the Palestinian President (2010).

“The visits have contributed significantly to shaping and promoting the multifaceted cooperation framework between Vietnam and the countries,” the diplomat said.

In terms of economic cooperation, two-way trade between Vietnam and the region was 7.4 billion USD in 2012, an 878 percent increase from 2002 (889 million USD). Of which, Vietnam’s trade with some partners surpassed 1 billion USD per year.

Some Gulf countries have been actively involved in many projects in Vietnam such as the Nghi Son oil refinery and petrochemical complex, the Long Son petrochemical complex, and Ha Long Star Hotel.

Some Vietnamese enterprises are also implementing investment projects in the region, notably an oil and gas exploration and production project by the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group in Algeria with total capital of over 200 million USD.

Regarding labour issues, over the past 30 years, hundreds of thousands of Vietnamese experts and workers have rendered their knowledge and strength to the development of many Middle Eastern and North African countries, serving as a bridge of friendship between the two sides, Minh said.

Currently, more than 26,000 Vietnamese workers are taking part in a number of projects in Saudi Arabia (17,000 workers), UAE (7,500), and Libya (1,000).

In the context of the rapid development of bilateral cooperation, Vietnam has become a new destination in the operation expansion strategy of many major airlines in the region such as Qatar Airways, Turkish Airlines, Emirates Airlines, and Etihad Airways.

In development cooperation, over recent years, the Kuwait Fund for Arab Economic Development, OPEC Fund for International Development and the Saudi Fund for Development have provided preferential loans worth over 427 million USD for 33 projects to develop rural infrastructure, health care and education in Vietnam. These projects have made practical contributions to socio-economic development and poverty reduction in many Vietnamese localities, helping improve the quality of life for many local people.

Cooperation in the development of human resources is a demonstration of the friendship between the two sides. Along with the presence of Vietnam-Algeria Secondary School in Hanoi since 1985, scholarship programmes have been launched by Egypt, Iran, Libya, Turkey, Qatar, Kuwait and Morocco for Vietnamese students and those by Vietnam for students of Palestine, Iran and Iraq, contributing to boosting the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the countries.

After nearly 30 years of reform and opening, Vietnam is on the path of industrialisation and modernisation. To date, the country has developed diplomatic ties with over 180 countries and economic-trade relations with over 200 countries and territories.

Vietnam is an attractive investment destination with political stability, a promising market and abundant and skilled human resources.

Currently, Vietnam is negotiating such important free trade agreements as the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership and the Trans-Pacific Partnership.

“These agreements are expected to open up great cooperation opportunities not only for Vietnamese businesses but also for foreign investors operating in Vietnam,” Minh said.

Vietnam is delighted at the remarkable developments in relations between the two sides over the recent time, particularly in trade, energy, investment and labour, making the Middle East - North Africa countries its important economic partners.

The diplomat said however, that compared with the potential and desire of both sides, the results remain modest.

He reasoned that two-way trade between Vietnam and Middle East - North Africa countries grew rapidly but it accounted for only 5 percent of the former’s total import-export value in 2012.

Meanwhile, the countries’ investment into Vietnam remains modest as compared to tens of billions of USD they pour into foreign countries annually.

Minh cited the lack of information as one of the main reasons behind the performance, calling for more efforts from both sides to improve the effectiveness of cooperation, especially in the economic field.

With the participation of representatives from the Government, ministries, localities and business communities from the Middle East - North Africa and Vietnam, the upcoming forum will be an opportunity for policy makers and business leaders to enhance their mutual understanding.

It will serve as a forum for them to discuss specific measures to raise the effectiveness of their economic ties and open up business opportunities for enterprises of Vietnam and the region, especially in trade, investment, energy, labour and agriculture.

“We believe that the forum will be a success, creating a new driving force to further enhance the effectiveness of economic links between Vietnam and the Middle East - North Africa partners,” the diplomat concluded.

Vietnamese capital celebrates Algeria's National Day

The Algerian Embassy in Ha Noi hosted a reception to mark the 59th anniversary of Algeria's National Day last Friday.

Addressing the function, Ambassador Cherif Chikhi affirmed that the Algerian people were proud of the country's achievements, especially in economics.

He expressed pleasure at the fine development of the friendship and cooperation with Viet Nam, saying he hoped the two countries' relations would develop in all fields, meeting the interests of both peoples for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga said Viet Nam highly appreciated Algeria's success and was glad to witness the development of the two countries' relations.

Viet Nam would continue boosting ties with Algeria in many fields, thus contributing to each country's national construction and development, Nga said.

Binh Thuan Province urged to work towards modernisation

Southern Binh Thuan Province should utilise its potential strengths in energy, minerals, and tourism services to become a modernised and industrialised locality by 2020.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made the statement during a meeting on Saturday with the provincial Party Committee held to discuss the implementation of Party resolutions over the past three years.

Trong said that the province should bring its socio-economic infrastructure in line with that of the rest of the country, while promoting effective environmental protection, strengthening national defence and security, maintaining social order and purifying its political system.

The Party leader recommended that the province take measures to encourage co-operation and collaboration between economic sectors on developing the province's potential and strengths.

The Party leader suggested a focus on developing agriculture, forestry and fishery processing, along with its tourism industry. To become a centre of marine tourism and sports, the province should exploit the potential of eco-tourism, diversifying tourism products while ensuring the environment was protected, he said.

It was also asked to speed up the implementation of wind and solar energy projects as well as have a suitable roadmap to exploit its titanium reserves, to step-by-step develop itself into a large national centre of energy and titanium ore processing.

He also asked the province to develop agriculture comprehensively and sustainability, and to build new rural areas.

He urged the Provincial Party Committee to further improve Party building work, to enhance the Party organisations' leadership capacity and to improve the quality of the Party membership.

The provincial Party Committee Secretary Huynh Van Ty said over the past threes years, the province reached an annual economic growth rate of 8.82 per cent. The rate of poor households reduced 1.5 per cent per year.

After hearing the province's report on its three-year implementation of Party resolutions, future targets, tasks, solutions and suggestions, Trong assigned relevant agencies of the Party, the National Assembly, ministries and industries to continue to work with the province, supporting it and creating favourable conditions for its rapid and sustainable development.

Viet Nam, Malaysia beef up defence

Senior Vietnamese and Malaysian officials discussed ways to beef up defence co-operation in the time ahead at talks on Friday (Nov 1).

Defence Minister Gen. Phung Quang Thanh and his Malaysian counterpart Dato Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussien touched upon the exchange of all-level delegations, the establishment of a deputy ministerial-level defence dialogue mechanism and personnel training, especially in foreign languages.

Minister Thanh hailed the visit for strengthening friendship, mutual understanding and trust between the two defence ministries towards lifting Viet Nam-Malaysia ties to a strategic partnership.

He said the visit marked the growing defence co-operation between the two countries.

Tun Hussien said it was his first visit to Viet Nam as defence minister, noting that defence links have turned more productive in various fields under the spirit of a memorandum of understanding on defence co-operation signed between the two Governments.

EU - HCM City's key economic partner

Vice Chairwoman of the HCM City People's Committee, Nguyen Thi Hong, has called the European Union (EU) the city's major economic partner.

Receiving Werner Langen, head of the European Parliament (EP) delegation for Southeast Asia and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Friday, she praised the EP's role in promoting cooperation between the southern city and the EU.

She expressed hope for future support from the EP to Viet Nam's development and negotiations for the Viet Nam–EU free trade agreement (FTA).

Langen said HCM City was a crucial destination for the European business community and said the delegation was eager to learn about the city's business environment and future growth.

He noted that the Viet Nam–EU FTA would be mutually beneficial and provide significant benefits to the city.

Representatives also discussed sustainable development policies, transport infrastructure and local-level administration during the visit.

The visit follows a landslide of EU companies investing in Viet Nam this year, with 50 projects in HCM City alone in the first 8 months of this year. There are also 364 foreign representative offices in the city, many of which are from the EU.

Socio-economic development remains NA deputies’ focus

National Assembly deputies continued their discussion on the implementation of the 2013 socio-economic development plan and plan for 2014 during the November 1 working session.

They also reviewed the progress of the master plan on economic restructuring and the 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan, while deliberating orientations and solutions to realise the country’s socio-economic development goals by 2015.

During the session, deputies focused on the Government’s use of economic stimulation packages and fiscal policies, credit growth, bad debts, public investment and tax-related issues.

Other topics discussed included medical ethics, healthcare, health insurance, the implementation of poverty reduction policies towards ethnic groups and comprehensive poverty reduction solutions.

Environmental impacts of hydroelectric projects, the improvement of local management in agriculture, farmers and rural areas, national security and defence, the protection of sea and islands and policies towards the armed forces were also tabled.

In the afternoon, deputies discussed in groups the draft Notary Public Law (amended) and the hydroelectric master plan.

On November 2 morning, the NA is scheduled to look into the implementation of the State budget estimates for 2013, the State budget estimates and central budget allocation in 2014, the three-year implementation of the 2011-2015 national target programmes and the plan to issue supplementary Government bonds in the 2014-2016 period.

In the afternoon, the deputies will discuss in groups the implementation of laws and resolutions adopted by the 13 th National Assembly.

NA discusses state budget issues

The 13th National Assembly’s sixth session had a plenary session on November 2 reviewing 2013 state budget spending and state budget plan for 2014.

NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan chaired the session.

The meeting heard opinions on the 2013 state budget collection, spending, budget overspending, and raising budget overspending cap. Deputies also discussed on 2014 budget allocation and plan for government bond issuance for 2014-2016.

Besides, deputies looked at the results of the implementation of the National Target Programme for 2011-2015.

The plenary session will be continued on November 4, hearing discussions on a draft law on thrift practice and wastefulness prevention.-

NA deputies discuss performance of socio-economic plans

Deputies at the ongoing sixth session of the 13th National Assembly on October 31 discussed implementation results of the 2013 socio-economic development plan and plan for 2014.

They also reviewed the progress of the master plan on economic restructuring and the 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan, while discussing solutions to realise the country’s socio-economic development goals by 2015.

During the session, which was chaired by NA Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and broadcast live on Vietnam Television and the Radio Voice of Vietnam, 43 deputies from 42 provinces and cities gave their opinions.

They focused on issues related to the Government’s fiscal policies, budget overspending, bad debts, inventories, solutions to remove difficulties for the property market, obstacles enterprises are facing, policies to develop agriculture and rural areas, forest protection in line with hydropower plant planning, the creation of jobs, human resources development, the care for beneficiary families and the speeding up of administrative reforms.

The deputies also listened to the Government’s explanations on a number of emerging issues.

On November 1, the NA is scheduled to continue discussions on the implementation of the 2013 socio-economic development plan and the plan for 2014, the performance of the plan for 2011-2015 period and measures to achieve socio-economic targets set for the end of 2015.

In the afternoon, the deputies will debate in groups the draft Notary Law and the master plan on hydropower plants.-V

Vietnam attends ASEAN air chiefs conference

A Vietnamese delegation led by Air Defence-Air Force Commander Lieutenant General Phuong Minh Hoa is joining the 10th ASEAN Air Chiefs Conference in Vientiane, Laos on November 2-4.

Vietnam’s Air Defence-Air Force Service is always aware that the best way to maintain peace and stability is to strengthen cooperation in building trust and reinforce national unity, Hoa said.

Over the past years, the service has worked with the Lao, Cambodian, Thai, Singaporean, Malaysian and Philippine counterparts on delegation exchanges, education-training experience sharing, technical equipment use, and search and rescue activities, thus helping ensure security in ASEAN.

On the theme “Partners for Peace and Development”, the three-day conference aims to promote mutual understanding and trust among ASEAN air forces to enhance cooperation in dealing with all challenges, for the common peace, development and in interests of the grouping towards the formation of an ASEAN Community by 2015.

Participant discussed cooperation among ASEAN member countries’ air forces in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as the possible establishment of Standard Operating Procedures of the ASEAN Air Forces Cooperation in this field.

They are scheduled to adopt Malaysia’s initiative on the Term of Reference of the ASEAN Air Forces Education and Training Working Group, which was touched upon at the previous conference.

Indonesia holds workshop on East Sea

Indonesia is hosting a workshop on the East Sea in Yogyakarta from October 30 to November 1.

The three-day 23 rd Workshop on Managing Potential Conflict in the East Sea is jointly held by the Indonesian Foreign Ministry’s Policy Analysis and Development Agency and the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies.

Delegates at the workshop include numerous scholars from the Policy Analysis and Development Agency and the Centre for Southeast Asian Studies, as well as representatives from Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia , Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, China, Vietnam and Taiwan (China).

The delegates focused on discussing three main issues that include managing potential conflict through cooperation, promoting confidence-building measures to increase mutual understanding, and promoting the exchange of views through dialogue on certain issues.

Indonesia plays an active role in seeking a peaceful solution to disputes in the East Sea . The country has organised a number of workshops on the management of potential conflicts in the East Sea and promotion of cooperation between claimants since 1990.

Vietnam-Czech Republic traditional friendship shines

The traditional friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic has strongly fuelled cooperation between the two countries in the current new situation, Czech Ambassador to Vietnam Martin Klepetko has said.

The diplomat was speaking at a ceremony to mark the 95th anniversary of the Czech Republic’s Independence Day in Ho Chi Minh City on October 31, which was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations and the Ho Chi Minh City’s chapter of the Vietnam-Czech Republic Friendship Association (VCFA).

He said that the traditional ties between Vietnam and the Czech Republic is special with practical activities, including the Czech Republic’s recognition of the Vietnamese community as an ethnic minority group of the country.

Klepetko expressed his belief that future cooperation between the two countries in all fields will be further deepened with many specific activities for the interest of both peoples.

Addressing the ceremony, President of the VCFA in Ho Chi Minh City said despite ups and downs in each country, the long-lasting traditional friendship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic has been preserved and developed.

In recent years, the two sides have maintained regular exchanges of high-ranking delegations and signed many cooperation agreements, laying a firm foundation for their long-standing cooperation.

Vice President of the Czech Senate Miluse Horska, who is on a visit to Vietnam, also attended the event.

PM Dung welcomes Israeli guest

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has told Israeli Minster of Agriculture and Rural Development Yair Shamir that Vietnam and Israel need to promote cooperation in areas of their strength for mutual benefit.

At an October 31 reception for the Israeli Minister, Dung spoke highly of the outcome of talks between Shamir and his Vietnamese counterpart Cao Duc Phat, noting that the Israeli delegation’s visit will contribute to bolstering  cooperation in potential areas such as agriculture, science-technology, defence and security and trade and investment.

PM Dung suggested both sides convene for a joint committee meeting to increase bilateral cooperation and accelerate negotiations on the early signing of a free trade agreement (FTA) aiming to lift two-way trade to a higher level in the time ahead.

Dung also asked the Israeli side to increase its ODA funding for Vietnam to help the country with human resource training, infrastructure development and adaptation to climate change.

The Vietnamese Government will offer favourable conditions for Israeli businesses’ high-tech investment in Vietnam, Dung said.

For his part, Israeli Minister Shamir applauded the results of cooperation over the years, adding that two-way trade is likely to increase rapidly from the current figure of US$1 billion in the time to come.

He said both sides need to create a legal foundation for expanding bilateral cooperation in pharmaceuticals, hi-technology, chemicals and fertilizer production

The same day, the Israeli Agriculture Minister was also received by NA Vice Chairwoman Ngan

Ngan called on the two countries to promote delegation exchange, share parliamentary experiences and strengthen people-to-people exchange aiming to deepen mutual understanding between the two legislatures and peoples.

The NA Vice Chairwoman also voiced her hopes that Israel will continue to assist Vietnam in high-tech and bio-technology application in agriculture.

Hoa Binh forges ties with Lao province

A delegation from the northern province of Hoa Binh is exploring investment climate in Lao northern province of Houaphan as part of its working visit to Laos from October 30 to November 4.

Hoa Binh party committee secretary Hoang Viet Cuong, who is also head of the visiting delegation, was received on November 1 in Vientiane by Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachith.

At the reception, the Lao leader, who is also a member of the Political Bureau and permanent secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), said he hopes Hoa Binh will intensify its cooperation with Lao localities to nurture their friendship and special solidarity.

He also informed his guests of Laos’ socio-economic situation, and congratulated Vietnam on its gained achievements.

Cuong stressed that the fact-finding tour to Houaphan aims to strengthen their relations and promote bilateral investment cooperation.

On this occasion, Hoa Binh presented the Lao province with 100 computers.

Hanoi, Vientiane boost all-around ties

Hanoi and Vientiane will enhance cooperation and exchanges to better fulfil the tasks assigned by their peoples, especially in dealing with citizens’ complaints.

The agreement was reached during talks in Vientiane on November 1 between Ngo Thi Doan Thanh, Chairwoman of the Hanoi People’s Council, and Pani Zathotou, Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly (NA).

At the meeting, Thanh, who is also Vice Secretary of the municipal Party Committee, said she admired the achievements made by Lao people, especially the capital city Vientiane with 17.7 percent growth in GDP every year.

Through the visit, the Hanoi delegation has gained lots of experience from Vientiane in poverty reduction and preserving cultural identity, she added.

Thanh affirmed the continued assistance to Vientiane in building its National Academy of Public Administration, contributing to strengthening the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

For her part, the Lao legislator briefed her guest on Laos’ socio-economic situation and the NA’s current activities, and voiced her delight at the achievements Vietnamese people have attained.

She highly valued Hanoi’s support to Laos and Vientiane in particular, and hoped that the two sides will step up cooperation and nurture the special relations between the two countries.-

Malaysia Day held in HCM City

A Malaysia Day took place in Ho Chi Minh City on November 1, aiming to introduce the country’s distinctive identities to locals and strengthen the friendship between Vietnam and Malaysia.

The event showcased photos and documentaries on Malaysia’s land, people and culture. Visitors also had a chance to enjoy an arts programme performed by students from SMK Convent Kajang and Sri Cempaka schools.

Chairwoman of the Vietnam–Malaysia Friendship Association in Ho Chi Minh City Nguyen Thi Tuyet Nhung said that in the past 40 years, bilateral ties have seen unceasing development in various fields, which is treasured by both countries’ leaders and peoples.

Malaysian Consul General in HCM City Shazryll Zahiran expressed his belief that their relations will be reinforced both quantitatively and qualitatively, helping foster their strategic cooperation and heading towards the formation of an ASEAN community.

The day was held on the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties by the Vietnam Unions of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam–Malaysia Friendship Association and the Malaysian Consulate General in HCM City.-

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