Vietnam, Russia boost joint technical-military endeavors

Viet Nam and Russia have agreed to ramp up technical-military cooperation in an effort to deepen bilateral ties.

The statement was made at the 15th meeting of the Viet Nam-Russia Inter-Governmental Committee on Military-Technical Cooperation in Ha Noi yesterday (Oct 10).

Viet Nam and Russia have agreed to ramp up technical-military cooperation in an effort to deepen bilateral ties.— Photo mod

It was co-hosted by Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Truong Quang Khanh and Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Services for Military-Technical Cooperation Viacheslav Karlovich Dzirkaln.

Both sides praised the joint history of friendship and co-operation between their two countries, particularly in shoring up military ties in accordance with the strategic partnership.

They agreed on cooperation in key areas to meet each country's demands and interests.

The Russian delegation's working visit to Viet Nam began on Wednesday at the invitation of Deputy Defence Minister Khanh - who is also head of the Vietnamese Sub-Committee - and will end today.

Cambodia supports Vietnam’s rubber planting projects

The new Cambodian leadership will continue creating favourable conditions for Vietnam to carry out rubber planting projects in the country.

National Assembly Chairman Samdec Heng Samrin made the commitment while receiving Tran Ngoc Thuan, General Director of the Vietnam Rubber Group in Phnom Penh on October 10.

Cambodian supports Vietnam’s rubber planting projects, even in the future, said Heng Samrin.

He wished the Vietnam Rubber Group a greater success in undertaking its projects in Cambodia.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Yim Chhay Ly voiced his support for Vietnam’s rubber planting in Cambodia after he was re-appointed Deputy PM.

He attributed Cambodia’s recent economic growth to Vietnamese-invested projects, including those on rubber planting, and said the Hun Sen administration has instructed its relevant agencies and localities to facilitate Vietnamese operations in the country.

The Vietnam Rubber Group will have completed planting 100,000ha of rubber in Cambodia in 2014 as scheduled.

The World Bank and the Asian Development Bank have forecast a 7-7.2% economic growth rate for Cambodia in the next two years.

The agricultural sector makes a significant contribution to the country’s steady growth, and rubber is defined as a key industrial crop.

Beijing negotiations focus on Tonkin Gulf issues

Vietnamese and Chinese experts agreed to bolster co-operation for mutual development in waters off the Gulf of Tonkin, at their fourth round of negotiations in Beijing.

The talks ran from October 7-9, where both sides vowed to push forward with negotiations, especially those related to the demarcation of maritime borders in the waters off the Gulf of Tonkin, based on the common understanding between the two countries' leaders.

Considering the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of Viet Nam-China sea-related issues, experts discussed issues in line with the agreed negotiation road map and principles.

The fifth round of negotiations is scheduled for the first half of 2014 and will take place in Viet Nam.

Voters ask for efficient NA supervision

The National Assembly needs to intensify supervision over the implementation of socio-economic tasks, the fight against corruption and the settlement of social problems.

Voters from Ho Chi Minh City’s district 4 made the suggestion at a meeting with State President Truong Tan Sang and other NA deputies in the city on October 10.

They said they are concerned about severe traffic congestion, healthcare service quality, hospital overcrowding, electricity price hike, a lack of social housing projects, and ongoing corruption even when the Party and State had given out instructions.

President Sang agreed that a sufficient pool of Party and State policies and guidance does not allow good implementation and supervision in many fields.

Regarding the construction of social housing, improvement of healthcare services and power price hike, President Sang made it clear that public investment is limited so the city should encourage other economic sectors to lend a helping hand.

In the fight against corruption, he suggested the voters take a greater part in monitoring the efforts and the administration provide transparent information for people.

Earlier on in the day, President Sang and other deputies heard a report on the city’s settlement of denunciations and petitions lodged by local people.

Vietnam, Bulgaria eye further judicial cooperation

Vietnam wishes to exchange experience with Bulgaria in personnel training and organisation reform in order to raise the efficiency of the court’s performance.

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan made the statement while receiving Lasar Georgiev Gruev, President of the Bulgarian Supreme Court of Cassation, in Hanoi on October 10.

Judicial reform is a central task of the Vietnamese justice system, she said.

The Vice President thanked the Government and people of Bulgaria for their great and efficient support to Vietnam’s national defence, construction and development, especially in education and training.

She spoke highly of the two countries’ regular exchange of visits at different levels in promoting their multifaceted cooperation.

Vietnam always attaches importance to developing relationships with its traditional friends, including Bulgaria, the leader affirmed.

Sharing Vice President Doan’s view, Lasar Georgiev Gruev expressed his hope the Bulgarian court will cooperate with Vietnam’s judicial sector and increase the exchange of delegations in the field.

The two countries’ court sectors signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation during the visit.

Hanoi marks 59th Liberation Day

Ten outstanding Hanoians have been honoured at an October 10 meeting marking the 59th anniversary of the city’s Liberation Day.

Attendees observed a minute’s silence to remember the recent passing of General Vo Nguyen Giap, former Commander-in-chief of the Vietnam People’s Army.

Hanoi People’s Committee Chairman Nguyen The Thao reviewed the capital’s achievements over the past 59 years, crediting many of them to its historic patriotic emulation movements.

Hanoi boasts a wealth of positive examples for its citizens to follow, he said.

The city’s GDP is growing by 8.2%, inflation is under control, and social welfare programmes have been expanded.

Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan congratulated more than 1,000 outstanding individuals and organisations honoured with recognition. She said the patriotic emulation movements can drive the united city on to consolidating its position as the country’s political, economic, and cultural centre.

She urged Hanoi residents acknowledge the high achievers among them and continue to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example in study and work.

Deputy PM to attend Global Entrepreneurship Summit

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the fourth Global Entrepreneurship Summit (GES) in Malaysia on October 11-12.

Themed Empowering and Connecting Entrepreneurs, GES 2013 is designed to help the business community build networks, establish relations, and share experience.

It is expected to attract 2,500-3,000 delegates, including Deputy Prime Ministers of a number of Southeast Asian nations, the US Secretary of State, and representatives of international organisations.

Vietnam hopes to demonstrate its active role in the region and promote its investment-business environment.

Hai is scheduled to join discussions and meetings with leaders and group executives of countries to support business investment and operations.

He will meet with Malaysian leaders to strengthen multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Malaysia, and attend a joint Vietnam-Malaysia business forum.

GES was initiated by US President Barack Obama as a global platform to empower entrepreneurs with skills and resources necessary to compete and thrive in the 21st century.  

The three previous summits were held in the US, Turkey and the United Arab Emirates.  

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA