Vietnam to host ASEAN Maritime Forum

The coastal city of Danang will host the upcoming 5th ASEAN Maritime forum and the 3rd expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum transpiring from August 26-28.

Vietnam’s hosting of the forums shows the country’s role, responsibilities and contributions in cooperative areas and reflects ASEAN’s priorities in sea cooperation, safety and security in the region.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh said at a regular press conference on August 21 that Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh will lead the Vietnamese delegation to attend this year’s forum.

Issues tabled at the forum will cover sea issues and maritime cooperation in recent years, assessments on the implementation of the initiatives and orientations for future cooperation.

Cambodian King desires growing ties with Vietnam

Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni has voiced his wish that the time-honoured friendship and all-around cooperation between Cambodia and Vietnam will continue to thrive in the time to come.

At a reception for newly-appointed Vietnamese Ambassador Thach Du, who presented credentials to him in Phnom Penh on August 21, Norodom Sihamoni said he hopes the diplomat will make practical contributions to fostering bilateral relations nurtured by his father Norodom Sihanouk, President Ho Chi Minh as well as other both nations’ senior leaders.

The Cambodian people always bear in mind Vietnam’s assistance to his country’s development throughout history, especially experience sharing and human resources training.

Thach Du pledged all of his best efforts to boost the traditional solidarity and friendship and comprehensive cooperation in the interests of the two peoples as well as for peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the wider world.

Lao leader visits Vietnam

General Secretary of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party and President of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Choummaly Sayasone and his wife paid an official 4-day visit to Vietnam from August 18-21.

The visit is a vivid demonstration of the special solidarity and comprehensive friendship cooperation between the two counties, Parties, States and peoples. President Sayasone and the Laotian delegation met Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, and visited Ho Chi Minh City and the central highland province of Lam Dong.

The two countries’ senior leaders discussed issues of mutual concern and examined ways to forge the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

The Lao leader thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their precious support for Laos over the past years and pledged that the Lao Party, State and people will do their best to maintain and foster the special ties between the two nations.

Party General Secretary Trong and President Sang congratulated Laos on the achievements it has recorded in all fields in recent times, hoping that under the leadership of the LPRP, the Lao people will overcome all difficulties to successfully fulfill all set targets.

Choummaly Sayasone praised the special solidarity as invaluable assets while Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong and President Truong Tan Sang pledged Vietnam’s best efforts to deepen bilateral relations for practical outcomes and peace, stability, development and cooperation in the region.

Committee comments on Civil Code amendments

Continuing the National Assembly Legal Committee’s 16th plenary session, delegates contributed ideas to Civil Code amendments in Hanoi on August 21.

The session was attended by National Assembly Vice Chairman, Uong Chu Luu.

Delegates agreed with the necessity of amending the Civil Code to institutionalise regulations of the Constitution (amended) and complete a legal framework to limit shortcomings and obstacles to the previous Civil Code.

It was also an important contribution to protecting the legitimate rights and interests of individuals, organisations, as well as State and public interests, while ensuring equality and legal safety in civil transactions.

The Civil Code (amended) will have 672 articles, including 263 current articles, 297 amended articles, 126 supplementary article and 149 repealed articles.

Delegates discussed and contributed ideas on the relationship between the Civil Code and other laws, as well as some contents of the Civil Code such as possession, contracts and legal transactions.

The participants also agreed on the Civil Code’s crucial position in defining legal standards for civil, marriage, family, trade and labour relations. Through such the amendments, the Code will become the foundation for the legal system and the law for a socialist-oriented market economy. It will also promote appropriate traditional regulations along with the nation’s customs and ethics.

Vietnam, Sri Lanka keen to foster industry and trade ties

Vietnam highly values the trade co-operation potential with Sri Lanka and wishes to boost bilateral exchanges and ties in the fields and export items of mutual strengths.

Minister of Industry and Trade, Vu Huy Hoang made this statement during his meeting with Sri Lankan Minister of Industry and Commerce, Rishad Badiutheen in Hanoi on August 21, which aimed to accelerate trade, industrial and investment ties between the two countries.

Both sides agreed to promptly establish a joint sub-committee on trade and speed up realisation of the memorandum of understanding on bilateral oil and gas and mechanical co-operation, with a view to enabling Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group and Vietnam National Petroleum Group to carry out co-operative activities with Sri Lankan partners.

They also reached consensus on promoting ministerial-level delegation exchange, arranging working visits for the two nations’ businesses and establishing a mechanism to update each country’s enterprises with information on investment opportunities.

Minister Rishad recommended Vietnam share experience in boosting exports, while appealing to Vietnamese partner enterprises to supply rice for Sri Lanka, as it is in need of purchasing about 15,000 tonnes of rice.

According to the Ministry of Industry and Trade, Sri Lanka is currently ranked 65th out of 101 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, with 10 projects and total registered capital of over US$14 million.

Vietnam earned US$66 million from exports to Sri Lanka in the first six months of 2014, a year-on-year increase of 11.8%, while its import turnover from the South Asian country reached US$43 million, up 139% compared to the same period last year.

Specifically, Vietnam mainly shipped clinker, fibres, textiles, rubber products, mobile phones and components to Sri Lanka in 2013, while importing cattle food, pepper, leather and footwear, gemstones and precious metals.

Sri Lanka is an important gateway in South Asia, with a territorial area of over 65,000 square kilometres and a population of 21.9 million people.

Vietnam - Laos military ties hoped to be tightened

A senior military officer of Laos has wished that the Vietnamese and Lao armies will further strengthen their cooperation, especially in personnel training and Party building.

Lieut. Col. Sombat Bunkhamkong, who led the delegation from the Organisation and Personnel Divisions of the Lao People’s Army’s General Department of Politics, made the wish at a working session with the Military High Command of the central province of Khanh Hoa on August 21.

The enhanced military collaboration will help promote solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations, he said.

At the function, Khanh Hoa officers informed the guests about their Party and political works, especially in terms of personnel.