Minister stresses cooperation activities within ADMM+

Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has highlighted the need to promote cooperation activities within the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) with ASEAN playing the central role.

Speaking at the second ADMM+ in Bandar Seri Begawan, Brunei on August 29, Minister Thanh cited a humanitarian assistance and disaster relief exercise in Brunei last June as an example of the benefits from the ASEAN members working together.

He suggested the promotion of naval partnerships in the region through joint patrols, exchanges and establishment of hotlines between naval forces and defence officials of ADMM+ member countries.

Vietnam is ready to sign a commitment on not using or threatening to use violence, he stated.

He called on regional countries to strengthen cooperation during rescue missions for ships and people in distress at sea and to partner with each other in combating pirates.

“Vietnam welcomes ships from ADMM+ member countries to visit its seaports”, he said.

While applauding the international support for Vietnam’s initiative on humanitarian mine action, the minister suggested countries, especially the US, take a bigger role in clearing bombs and mines remaining from the war in the country.

According to Thanh, Vietnam now needs advice and material assistance as it prepares to join United Nations peace keeping missions.

Regarding the regional situation, Minister Thanh pointed out that in the context of the global economic downturn, the Asian-Pacific has still seen emerging economies, with many maintaining a high growth rate and drawing investment from of other countries worldwide.

Despite efforts to ensure peace and stability in political security, the region still faces disputes at sea and on land as well as non-traditional threats such as drug trafficking and network security issues, he said.

He called on countries, especially China and the US, to build strategic trust and enhance cooperation activities to maintain regional peace and stability.

On the East Sea dispute, the Vietnamese minister voiced his view that countries should settle dispute peacefully via dialogue on the basis of the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and the Declaration on the 10th Anniversary of ASEAN-China Strategic Partnership, looking towards a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC), which ensures maritime security and safety.

General Thanh also used the occasion to reiterate Vietnam’s stance of supporting denuclearisation in the Korean peninsula through six-party talks and the establishment of a stable environment in the region.

At the meeting, ASEAN Deputy Secretary General Nyan Lynn delivered a report on recent developments in the ten-member group and within the framework of the ADMM+.

He spoke highly of the settlement of dispute in the East Sea through dialogue and the implementation of the DOC, towards the formation of the COC.

The ADMM+ closed with a ceremony to hand over the ADMM Chairmanship to Myanmar, which will also assume the ASEAN Chair next year.

Later, the ministers signed a joint statement under which they reached a consensus on some issues related to the establishment of a ADMM-Plus Expert Working Group on Humanitarian Mine Action.

The same day, Defence Minister Thanh held a bilateral meeting with his Australian counterpart Stephen Smith, who said Australia is willing to share experience with Vietnam and assist the country in implementing its initiative on humanitarian mine action.

Australia also pledges more scholarships for Vietnamese military officers and promised to dispatch teachers of English to the country.

Viet Nam to bolster Seychelles investment opportunities: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said that Viet Nam will provide favourable conditions for Seychelles investment in the country in a bid to foster trade between the two sides.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung meets with President James Alix Michel in Ha Noi.

Meeting with President James Alix Michel in Ha Noi yesterday, Aug 29, Dung praised the outcomes of the talks between President Michel and Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang, and documents signed during the visit.

He expressed his belief that Michel's visit will usher in a new chapter in cooperation between the two countries.

He thanked the Seychelles Government for its recognition of Viet Nam as a market economy, adding that the nation attached importance to expanding cooperation with African countries, including the Seychelles.

The Government leader proposed greater coordination at regional and international forums as well as implementing specific measures to boost investment, tourism, agriculture and fisheries, oil and gas projects and renewable energy.

He also vowed to instruct relevant ministries and sectors to implement the agreements signed between the two countries.

President Michel expressed his hope that the relationship with Viet Nam would provide economic growth and ties with ASEAN, affirming the island nation could be bridge for Viet Nam to other African states.

The President also pledged to back Viet Nam at international forums and create favourable conditions to promote bilateral cooperation.

He also spoke of new cooperation agreements in diplomacy, aviation, tourism and trade.

The two sides issued a joint statement on the visit as President James Alix Michel concluded his tour of Viet Nam that day.

President Sang welcomes closer ties with key Japanese province

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday, Aug 29, proposed expanding co-operation between Fukuoka prefecture and Vietnamese localities, speaking at a reception for the province's Governor, Ogawa Hiroshi, in Ha Noi.

President Sang emphasised Japan as Viet Nam's leading partner, adding that Prime Minister Shinzo Abe's choice to visit Viet Nam after taking office, symbolised Japan's appreciation of the Southeast Asian nation.

He praised Fukuoka's efforts in promoting opportunities in Viet Nam, voicing support for Japan's initiatives to increase exchanges between the two countries' youths.

The Fukuoka leader said he was impressed with Viet Nam's rapid development, adding that the prefecture's authorities and business community were actively involved in creating opportunities to expand cooperation between the two nations.

He also expressed an appreciation of traditional ties between Fukuoka and Ha Noi, urging greater efforts in cultural exchange.

It is expected Fukuoka will send 1,000 high school students to Viet Nam to participate in exchanges with Vietnamese peers, Ogawa Hiroshi said.

The prefecture is also keen to promote the image of Japan in Viet Nam with ‘Fukuoka Days', he added.

He affirmed that a close relationship existed between Viet Nam and Fukuoka, evidenced by the establishment of a Vietnamese consulate in Fukuoka and a direct air route to the prefecture.

Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan announced plans on Wednesday to organise "Viet Nam's Days" in Japan from September 12-22 to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties as the 2013 Viet Nam-Japan Friendship Year.

The event will take place in Japan's largest cities, including Tokyo, Osaka, Kobe Nagoya and Fukuoka; jointly organised by the Ministries of the Foreign Affairs, and Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Vietnamese Embassy.

The event will be the largest of its kind and include a wide range of activities. The "Viet Nam Festival 2013" to be held at Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, from September 14-15 will welcome approximately 150,000 visitors.

The "Hello Viet Nam-Aichi 2013" festival will be held for the first time in Aichi province, where Vietnamese students form the largest community among those from Asia.

Viet Nam opposes alleged Syrian chemical attacks

Viet Nam is deeply concerned by the recent allegations of the use of chemical weapons in Syria and strongly condemns the chemical attacks on civilians, said Ministry of Foreign Affairs Spokesman, Luong Thanh Nghi.

Speaking with reporters in Ha Noi yesterday, Aug 29, the spokesman said the Government called on those involved to explain their actions and resolve the matter by peaceful means and with respect for international law and the United Nations Charter.

"We emphasise the need to comply with the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), which outlaws the use of such weapons," he said.

Party, State leaders pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh

A delegation of the Party, State, National Assembly, Government and the Vietnam Fatherland Front, on August 30 laid a wreath at President Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum to mark Vietnam’s 68th National Day.

The delegation included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, and Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee President Huynh Dam.

They were also joined by former Party General Secretaries Le Kha Phieu and Nong Duc Manh, former State President Tran Duc Luong, former National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An, other senior Party, State and Government officials, and veteran revolutionaries.

They then paid a floral tribute to war martyrs at the National Fallen Combatants Monument.

Sixty-eight years ago on September 2 President Ho Chi Minh read the Independent Declaration proclaiming the birth of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

September 2 has been since observed as Vietnam’s National Day.

VN warns China on Hoang Sa stamps

The Department of Post under the Ministry of Information and Communications on Wednesday officially objected to China's Post Office issuing stamps that violate Viet Nam's sovereignty over the Hoang Sa (Paracel) Archipelago.

In May this year, the Chinese State Post Bureau (China Post) issued a set of six stamps featuring tourist attractions, one of which showed images of the islands that form Viet Nam's Hoang Sa Archipelago.

Viet Nam's Postal Department said that Viet Nam has sufficient legal foundation and evidences to claim sovereignty over the Hoang Sa and Truong Sa (Spratly) Islands.

This act by China's postal service does not conform with Article 8 of the Universal Postal Union's Convention, said the department.

It demanded that China respects the truth and stops producing the stamps, envelopes and postcards which were printed with images of the islands in the Hoang Sa Archipelago.

Actions like this should be avoided to help build ties between both postal sectors and countries, said the department.

Lao PM receives Party leaders

Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong yesterday, Aug 29, hosted a reception for members of the Communist Party of Viet Nam Central Committee (CPVCC)'s Organisation Commission.

The high-ranking delegation was led by To Huy Rua, who is the organisation's head and secretary of the CPVCC.

Rua confirmed that the commission will work with the Organisation Commission of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) to implement cooperation agreements between the two sides.

He praised the development of bilateral ties between the two countries, which has enabled cooperation across a range of fields.

Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong spoke highly on cooperation between the two commissions, expressing hopes the two sides will continue cooperation in party building.

The Lao PM also pledged his government would continue to foster better relations between the two countries.

The day also marked the launch of the 2013 Viet Nam Culture Week in Laos in the lead up to Viet Nam's National Day on September 2.

The opening ceremony was attended by Lao's Deputy Prime Minister, Asang Laoly; and Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism, Bosengkham Vongdala; as well as Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Huynh Vinh Ai.

The week will feature a photo exhibition portraying Vietnam's ethnic groups, landscapes and islands.The exhibition will also showcase the relationship between Viet Nam and Laos and feature performances by Vietnamese artists.

Vietnam, Laos agree to boost popularisation for soldiers

Vietnam and Laos have agreed to strengthen popularisation and education for officers and soldiers to help them better understanding about the special friendship and solidarity between the two nations.

The two sides reached the consensus during a meeting in Hanoi on August 29 between Lieutenant General Mai Quang Phan, Deputy Director of the General Department of Politics (GDP) of the Vietnam People’s Army and Colonel Khamkhun Lotsamay, deputy head of the Department of Popularisation and Training of the Lao People’s Army, during the latter’s visit to Vietnam.

Colonel Lotsamay briefed his host on the outcomes of the delegation’s working sessions with the GDP units.

The two sides recalled the fine traditions of the two armies during their countries’ past struggles for independence and current national development.

They agreed to exchange delegations to share experience in a wide range of fields, especially popularisation, media, publication, cultural and art activities.

They were also unanimous in joining hands in organising activities to celebrate the traditional days of the two armies.

Foreign statesmen to visit Viet Nam

The Malaysian King Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah and his wife will visit Viet Nam from September 5-8, at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang.

Also being invited by President Sang is President of the Republic of Korea, Park Geun-hye, who will pay a State visit to Viet Nam from September 7-11.

Meanwhile, Timor-Leste Prime Minister Kay Rala Xanana Gusmo is also set to visit Viet Nam from September 3-5 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung.

The above information was released by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday, Aug 29.

Mekong region’s innovators welcome US support

Officials and stakeholders have gathered at an August 29 meeting in Ho Chi Minh City to discuss methods of supporting the Lower Mekong sub-region’s young technological innovators.

The event, jointly held by the US State Department and the Vietnamese branch of IDG ASEAN, involved government and private sector representatives from Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

While state officials assessed their national entrepreneurial ecosystems, the private sector leaders shared insights into encouraging the development of these ecosystems’ components.

Attendees examined the TIGERS@Mekong project, designed to address the challenges facing technology entrepreneurs in the Lower Mekong sub-region.

US Consul General Rena Bitter used her opening speech to describe the zeal and energy she senses from HCMC’s young entrepreneurs and their dreams of innovation. But she stressed “talent alone isn’t enough”.

“New ideas are fragile and need support to grow. Creating an environment linking the public and private sectors allows entrepreneurs and inventors to turn ideas into successful innovative businesses,” the Consul General said.

The meeting’s other keynote speakers included US Secretary of State Special Representative for Global Partnerships Andrew O’Brien; Vietnamese Assistant Foreign Minister Nguyen Van Thao, and IDG ASEAN CEO Tam Le.

The US State Department launched TIGERS@Mekong—officially known as Technology Innovation Generation and Entrepreneurship Resources—in recognition of the Mekong’s potential for innovation and as a fuel for regional growth and competitiveness.

Ambassador praises Vietnamese-Cambodian relations

Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Ngo Anh Dung has praised the developments in the two neighbours’ economic, trade, cultural, health, and educational relations during an August 29 interview with Cambodian National Television.

Dung acknowledged the venerable history and cultural similarities shared by Vietnam and Cambodia. Their two peoples stand shoulder to shoulder, supporting each other through their struggles for national independence and protection.

The Vietnamese diplomat reiterated the Vietnamese people’s determination to raise the bilateral ties of friendship and solidarity to new levels, honouring the principles of “good neighbours, traditional friendship, long-term stable comprehensive cooperation”.

He said Vietnam will always remember the Cambodian people’s contributions to its national defence and construction.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA