Vietnam, China officials talk border, territory issues

Vietnamese and Chinese Governmental negotiating delegates on border and territory gathered at a plenary session in Hanoi on December 5-7.

On maritime issues, both sides came to terms on seriously carrying out common perceptions reached by leaders of the two countries and the Vietnam-China agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues, properly settling maritime issues for peace and stability at sea.

The two sides officially set up a Working Group to discuss cooperation for mutual development at sea in the framework of governmental negotiations on Vietnam-China border and territory and agreed on the group’s operation mechanism. They agreed that the group will convene the first meeting early next year to devise the specific content and guiding principles for discussions on cooperation for mutual development at sea.

The officials consented to stepping up negotiations on areas beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin with a view to early achieving substantial outcomes, and saw eye to eye on joint survey sites in areas of overlapping claims in waters beyond the mouth of the Gulf of Tonkin.

They reached a consensus on deploying two cooperation deals on less-sensitive issues signed during Chinese Premier Li Keqiang’s recent visit to Vietnam while exerting efforts to seek other agreements on maritime environment protection, marine science research, search and rescue at sea, and disaster prevention.

Referring to land border issue, they highly valued what was reached at the meeting of the Vietnam-China Land Border Joint Committee in Hanoi on December 4-5. The two sides agreed to accelerate the negotiations on an agreement on free navigation at the mouth of the Bac Luan river and another on exploiting and protecting tourism resources at Ban Gioc waterfalls with the aim to sign them next year.

They will also push forward the construction of a cross-border economic cooperation area on the basis of ensuring sovereignty over border and territory in line with each country’s law, as well as the building and upgrade of several border gates and the linkage of traffic routes at border gates, making it easier for travelling.

Other issues in bilateral relations were also tabled for discussion, with attention given to measures aimed at further deepening the Vietnam – China comprehensive strategic partnership in the coming time.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received head of the Chinese negotiating delegation Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin.

Vietnam now chairs ASEAN Committee to South Africa

Vietnamese ambassador Le Huy Hoang assumed the role of the ASEAN Committee Chair to South Africa at the Committee’s recent meeting in capital Pretoria.

The ceremony was attended by the ambassadors of Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Myanmar to South Africa.

Addressing the event, Indonesian ambassador Sjahril Sabaruddin, former ASEAN Committee chair, expressed hope Hoang will make more important contributions to strengthening solidarity, consensus and close cooperation within the ASEAN community in Pretoria, and boosting relations between ASEAN and South Africa.

Hoang said in the next six months, as ASEAN coordinator, the Vietnamese embassy will work closely with the embassies of other ASEAN countries to carry out activities to raise ASEAN’s profile and  promote its potential for trade and investment cooperation.

The ASEAN Committee will meet with leaders of the parliament and diplomatic corps in South Africa to examine ways for cooperation. An ASEAN fair will also be held in the next six months.

Vietnam slams terrorist attack in Yemen

Vietnam strongly condemns the terrorist attack on Yemeni Defence Ministry Complex on December 5 that has left many dead and injured, said Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi.

The spokesman made the statement in response to reporters’ queries on December 6.

He extended deep condolences to the families of the victims, saying that the attackers must be punished properly.

Regarding information that two Vietnamese doctors lost their lives in the assault, the Foreign Ministry said it had immediately contacted the International Organisation for Migration and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees, asking for their help in investigating the report.

It also requested the Vietnamese Embassy in Saudi Arabia and Yemen to verify the information.

According to the Foreign Ministry, by 5pm on December 6, these two victims were still not identified.

Vietnam and Yemen have not signed any formal agreement on the exchange of experts and labourers.-

Vietnamese and Brunei navies set up hotline

The Vietnamese and Brunei navies have agreed to establish a hotline as part a newly signed memorandum of understanding (MoU) on future cooperation.

The MoU arose from December 5 talks between Royal Brunei Navy Commander Rear Admiral Dato Paduka Hj Abd Halim bin Hj Mohd Hanifah and Vietnamese People’s Navy Commander Admiral Nguyen Van Hien.

The two sides used the talks to review their existing defence and military ties and explore measures to upgrade the relationship to new levels.

Senior Brunei Ministry of Defence officials and Royal Brunei Armed Forces officers officially welcomed their Vietnamese guest.

Both sides consider the MoU an important step in fostering naval cooperation to maintain regional maritime security, stability, and peace.

During his six-day official visit begun on December 1, Hien, who is also Deputy Defence Minister, attended the 4th Brunei International Defence Exhibition (BRIDEX 4).

Vietnamese leaders saddened by Mandela’s passing

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang have conveyed sympathy over the passing of Nelson Mandela, the former Chairman of the African National Congress (ANC) and former South African President.

In a message of condolences to ANC leader and South African President Jacob Zuma on December 6, General Secretary Trong and President Sang expressed their grief upon hearing the news of Mandela’s death on December 5.

They said Nelson Mandela is an eminent and beloved figure, a staunch soldier and a prominent hero of the South African people, who has dedicated his whole life and made outstanding contributions to the fight against oppression, injustice and apartheid and constantly sought freedom, justice, equality and social progress for South Africa and the world.

“We would like to extend the deepest sympathy to the African National Congress and the State and people of South Africa as well as to President Mandela’s family. We believe that the South African people will turn their great pain into solidarity power, helping them confront challenges and succeed in national development,” the message read.

Da Nang-RoK trade ties blossom

The central city of Da Nang has seen rapid developments in trade relations with the Republic of Korea (RoK), with two-way trade reaching 82.5 million USD last year.

The information was released at a Da Nang-RoK investment promotion seminar held in the Vietnamese city on December 5.

At present, there are 35 valid RoK projects in Da Nang city with a total investment capital of 705 million USD. They focus on real estate, garment and footwear.

In 2012, 12 representative offices of RoK businesses were set up in Vietnam .

Last year, two-way trade between Vietnam and the RoK hit a record turnover of 21.7 billion USD, up from the previous year’s figure of 18.6 billion USD.

The Korean investment in Vietnam has so far amounted to 25.7 billion USD.-

NA Vice Chairman visits Norway

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu visited Norway on December 5-6 to share experience in legislation and strengthen cooperation between the two legislative bodies.

He held talks with first Vice President of the Norwegian parliament Marit Nabykk and met with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Tore Schei, and many other representatives of the judicial agencies.

Norwegian legislators and officials briefed Luu on the functions and operations of the Norwegian parliament, the Supreme Court, the Procuracy, judicial agencies, as well as amendments to the Constitution and the relationship between the parliament and executive agencies.

They inquired about Vietnam’s trade and investment ties with European nations, and foreign assistance to help the country realize socio-economic development projects along with environmental protection and climate change adaptation.

For his part, Luu informed his hosts about the Vietnam National Assembly, its operational mechanism, and international cooperation.

He conveyed Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation to the Norwegian parliamentary speaker to visit Vietnam and attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) General Assembly due to take place in capital Hanoi in March 2015.

Both sides were delighted at the fine development of Vietnam-Norway relations over the years and vowed to increase bilateral economic and trade ties to raise two-way trade to a new level.

Nabykk said both sides need to expand cooperation in other areas such as climate change adaptation and reforestation, while accelerating negotiations of a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).  

Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Hong received visiting Myanmar Deputy Minister for Border Affairs Maung Maung Ohn in the city on December 6.

During the meeting, Hong expressed her delight at the fine development in many fields of the two sides, emphasising their cooperative agreements and activities.

Ho Chi Minh City has so far successfully organised two fairs in Yangon city, which drew a great number of Myanmar visitors, she said, adding that the city has carried out many investment cooperation activities in Myanmar and set up a representative office in Yangon in June.

She stated she hopes in his position, the deputy minister will help Ho Chi Minh City and Yangon city to develop their relationship and expand cooperation in various fields.

Maung Maung Ohn spoke highly of the strong and dynamic development of Ho Chi Minh City .

He expressed his hope to share and learn from the city’s experience in building and developing industrial zones, which, he said, is very important to Myanmar .

The guest suggested the two countries expand cooperation in economics, science-technology, culture and education.-

Hanoi People’s Council passes 17 resolutions

The Hanoi People’s Council adopted 17 important resolutions during its eighth session, which wrapped up in the capital city on December 6.

The resolutions include one on adjusting the administrative boundary of its outskirts district of Tu Liem to set up two districts and 23 wards.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Ngo Thi Doan Thanh said the five-day session focused its discussions on economic development, budget and land management and social welfare.

The session heard a report on the city’s socio-economic performance in 2013 and tasks for 2014 which showed budget collection falling short of expectations, capital construction debts increasing, healthcare services remaining poor and shortcomings existing in land management and environmental hygiene.

According to Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao, Hanoi has set 2014 targets of posting a fair economic growth; stepping up production and business; improving urban planning; boosting the building of new-style rural areas; bettering environmental protection; developing education and healthcare; and strengthening the fight against corruption.

To meet the targets, Thao said Hanoi will focus on resolving difficulties in production and business development, improving the investment environment and mobilising resources for development.

The city will also move to raise public awareness of building and maintaining its image and civilised lifestyle as Hanoi has chosen 2014 as its ‘Year of Urban Order and Civilisation’.-

Vietnam, Ukraine enhance parliamentary cooperation

The results of cooperation between the two legislative bodies have contributed to consolidating bilateral ties over the past time.

National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son made the statement during his talks with First Deputy Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament Ihor Kaletnik on December 5 as part of his delegation’s trip to Ukraine.

Son expressed his delight at the constant development of bilateral ties in various fields and briefed his host on the socio-economic development, domestic and foreign policies of Vietnam as well as the outcome of the sixth session of the 13th NA with the adoption of the revised 1992 Constitution and other important amended laws.

The two parliamentary delegations were at the working sessions.

He thanked Ukraine for supporting Vietnam’s election as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) for the 2014-2016 tenure.

The Vietnamese NA leader said he hopes his delegation’s visit will make practical contributions to further strengthening the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation between the two legislatures and the two countries as a whole.

For his part, Koletnik expressed his desire to tighten both parliaments’ ties and promote the coordination between committees and friendship parliamentary groups while suggesting both sides intensify high-level delegation exchanges and trade and investment cooperation and support each other at multinational and international forums on issues of common concern.

Earlier, NA Vice Chairman Son and his entourages worked with Ukraine’s National Security and Defence Council and the Communist Party of Ukraine.

At the meetings, the two sides proposed specific measures to enhance the role played by members of parliament in fostering and developing the time-honoured friendship and cooperation between the states, particularly in economics, trade, investment, tourism and education.

Activities honour late Venezuelan President in Hanoi

A series of activities have been taking place in Hanoi from December 4-8 to mark the “Day of Loyalty and Love for Supreme Commander Hugo Chavez and the Fatherland” of Venezuela (December 8).

Addressing a meeting on December 6, former Vice President Nguyen Thi Binh highlighted the importance of the Venezuelan revolutionary process to the progressive and socialist movements in Latin America and the world.

Binh, who is also President of the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation, also called for the expansion of international movements to back the Bolivarian Revolution in Venezuela against attacks by hostile forces.

The same day, Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Rondon Uzcategui and Vice President of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association Nguyen Truong Tien chaired a talk on the world solidarity with the Bolivarian revolution.

Participants observed one minute of silence in memory of the late South African Nelson Mandela who is a symbol of the fight against apartheid.

The Venezuelan Ambassador stressed the international value of the Bolivarian Revolution, particularly in ensuring social equality through its programmes in education, health and macroeconomic policies.

Researchers on Latin America presented their studies on the causes and accomplishments of the progressive movement initiated by the late President Hugo Chavez in 1998.

More talks on the theme were held at the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities and the Vietnamese American Studies Institute, together with the screening of two movies - “Miranda Returns” and “Zamora, Free Lands and Men”, which tell stories about the life and revolutionary career of two Venezuelan heroes – Francisco de Miranda and Ezequiel Zamora.

The staff of the Venezuelan Embassy in Vietnam and members of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association are also conducting a campaign to collect signatures in support of the Bolivarian revolution.

The events are organised by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association and the Venezuelan Embassy in Vietnam.-

Party leader meets voters in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and legislative deputies on December 6 met with voters in Hanoi’s Tay Ho district to inform them of the outcomes of the recently-ended sixth session of the 13 th National Assembly.

Almost all voters expressed their satisfaction with the outcomes of the session, during which the legislature decided on many important measures to facilitate the country’s development, including the adoption of the amended Constitution and Land Law.

Regarding law making, voters asked the legislature to strengthen the supervision of relevant agencies and officials to ensure that legal documents are issued in accordance with the country’s law.

They spoke highly of the drastic measures taken by the Party and State to prevent corruption.

They also expressed their hopes that Party members will continue executing a resolution on Party building and heightening the spirit of criticism and self-criticism.

General Secretary Trong thanked the voters for their sincere and honest opinions.

He also briefed them on the results achieved over the past year in socio-economic development, external activities, political stability and social order.

NA deputies’ delegations of Son La, Kon Tum, Ha Giang, Ninh Binh and Tien Giang provinces have also held meetings with local voters to listen to their opinions and aspirations.

Vietnam forges cooperative ties with Bolivia

The government of Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening the friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Latin American countries, including Bolivia.

Visiting Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh made the statement at a reception given by Bolivian Foreign Minister David Choquehuanca in capital La Paz on December 5.

He said his current visit aims to foster friendship and mutual support, giving impetus to stronger development of Vietnam-Bolivia ties at bilateral and multilateral forums.  

Deputy PM Vu Van Ninh (in the middle) witnessed the signing of a framework agreement on trade and investment between Vietnam and Bolivia (Photo:VNA)

Ninh noted political and diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Bolivia have developed well in recent times through visit exchanges.

However, two-way trade has yet to match both countries’ potential, and a legal framework for economic relations should be established to develop bilateral trade ties, he said.

For his part, Foreign Minister Choquehuanca echoed Ninh’s view, saying the two countries have great potential for increasing cooperation in various areas, and they need to fully tap the potential in the interest of their people.

After the meeting, Ninh witnessed the signing of a framework agreement on trade and investment between Vietnam and Bolivia, paving the way for the establishment of an inter-governmental committee for trade and investment cooperation in the near future.  

At a meeting with representatives of Bolivian businesses the same day, Ninh voiced Vietnam’s desires to strengthen comprehensive cooperation with Bolivia, especially in economics and trade.

He assured the executives that the Vietnamese government creates the best possible conditions for the two countries’ business communities to explore opportunities and form partnerships in order to raise two-way trade to a new level.

Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh briefed Bolivian businesses on Vietnam’s investment environment and opportunities for potential cooperation.

The signing of the framework agreement on trade and investment and the upcoming establishment of the inter-government committee will help boost bilateral cooperation, he said.

Vietnam welcomes Bolivian companies to come and sound out business opportunities in the country. It supports them in doing business in Vietnam and entering the lucrative Asia-Pacific market, he said.

Confederation of Private Businessmen of Bolivia (CEPB) President Daniel Sanchez Soliz expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s economic development achievements, and encouraged Bolivian companies to visit and explore business models in Vietnam.

 Vietnam and Bolivia established diplomatic ties in 1987. During a Vietnam visit in September 2012, both countries signed an agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic and official passport holders, and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a political mechanism between the two Foreign Ministries.

In 2009 both sides signed an MoU on gas exploration in Bolivia which has the second largest gas reserve in Latin America after Venezuela.

Despite fine political ties, bilateral economic cooperation remains modest, with two-way trade last year reaching US$11 million.

Vietnam mainly exports footwear, garments, rubber, and motorcycle spare parts to Bolivia, and imports equipment and wood products from this Latin American nation.

Source: VOV/VNA/VNS