Prime Minister to visit Belgium, EU, Germany, Vatican

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay official visits to Belgium, the European Union (EU), and Germany from October 13-15.

The visits are made at the invitation of Belgian Prime Minister Elio Di Rupo, the President of the European Commission (EC), Manuel Barroso, and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

He will later attend the 10 th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 10), in Milan, Italy, on October 16-17, at the invitation of Italian Prime Minister Matteo Renzi, and visit the Vatican on October 18, as guest of Pope Francis.

Vanuatu PM concludes Vietnam visit

Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman on October 9 returned home from his five-day official visit to Vietnam at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung.

During his stay in Vietnam, the Vanuatu PM held talks with PM Nguyen Tan Dung, and paid a courtesy visit to President Truong Tan Sang.

In their meetings, leaders briefed each other on their respective country’s situation, and expressed their pleasure at the fine friendship between the two nations.

They agreed that there is still room for both nations to fully exploit potential for future cooperation by intensifying  reciprocal  visits at all levels and cross-cultural exchange.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Joe Natuman and his spouse visiting the Ho Chi Minh Museum.

In regard to regional and global issues, they greatly valued mutual support and coordination at forums, and pledged to work hand in hand in multilateral mechanisms, such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement and the Francophone community.

Both sides inked a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on technical cooperation and development.

During his tour of HCM City, the Vanuatu PM met with Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan and visited several cultural and historical establishments.

NA Vice Chairwoman Phong visits French Senate

Further promoting stronger cooperation will greatly benefit both Vietnam and France, National Assembly (NA) Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong told French Senate leaders at an October 9 meeting as part of her ongoing visit to France.

The Vietnamese NA delegation congratulated Vice President of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group Jacqueline Gourault on being elected as the Vice President of the French Senate which, they said will contribute to boosting cooperation between the French Senate and Vietnam.

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong congratulating Jacqueline Gourault on being elected as the Vice President of the French Senate.

Phong greatly appreciated the efficient and practical contributions the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group has made to help Vietnam over the years.

"Vietnam will do its best to reinforce relations with traditional friends, especially in the Doi Moi (Renewal) process targeting the diversification and multilateralization of relations. We will serve as a gateway for French investors to enter ASEAN countries ", Phong said.

She suggested the French Senate recognize Vietnam as a full market economy and help the country with the early conclusion of the Europe-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) negotiations.

The Vietnamese NA leader expressed her hope for expanded cooperation with France in its advantageous fields like education, science-technology, climate change adaptation and energy.

Phong reiterated the Vietnam legislative body’s commitment to working together with the European country to promote French language education in Vietnam.

For her part, the French Senate Vice President said, in her new position, she will exert greater efforts to further boost cooperation with Vietnam.

On the same day, the Vietnamese delegation laid a wreath at late President Ho Chi Minh’s statue and visited the Ho Chi Minh Space at the Museum of Living History in Montreuil.

NA Standing Committee’s 32nd session wraps up

The 32nd session of the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee took place in Hanoi from October 6-9, during which the content for the upcoming 8th NA plenary meeting was finalised.

Deputies agreed to add the law on amendments and supplements to a number of articles of tax laws to the agenda of the plenary meeting, scheduled for the end of this month. They also scrutinised a draft law on promulgation of legal documents.

The committee examined several Government reports on the implementation of socio-economic tasks in 2014 and draft plans for 2015, which will top the agenda of the meeting. Reports on budget estimates for 2014 and 2015 were also put on table.

Additionally, lawmakers heard reports by the Government, the Supreme People’s Court and the Supreme People’s Procuracy on the settlement of citizens’ complaints and denunciations, and another on the auditing plan for next year submitted by the Chief State Auditor.

The committee also agreed to submit to the NA a plan to build the Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai province.

Deputies also looked into a report on the implementation of policies and laws on climate change adaptation in the Mekong Delta, and exchanged opinions on the conduct of vote of confidence for people recommended by the National Assembly and the People’s Councils.

Deputy PM meets Russian Security Council officials

Russia has considered Vietnam as a trustful partner and will continue to work together with the country for result-oriented security and defence cooperation, Deputy Secretary Security Council of the Russian Federation Yevgeny Lukyanov stated.

The Russian guest made the remarks at a reception hosted by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on October 9.

Deputy PM Minh lauded the effective cooperation on security and defence between the authorised agencies of Vietnam and Russia, describing Lukyanov’s visit as a good chance for both sides to discuss in-depth areas of their affiliation.

At the meeting, the two sides also discussed the current situation in Asia-Pacific. They agreed on the need for regular exchanges of information on regional and international security of mutual concern.

Both sides also concurred to maintain close coordination at regional and international forums, especially in the cooperation framework of ASEAN and partners, the East Asia Summit, APEC, and the United Nations for mutual interest as well as peace and stability in the region and the world.

Vietnam to impart developmental knowledge to Laos

Vietnam will share its economic development experience with Laos for both to grow together, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has affirmed.

He received Lao Deputy Prime Minister Bunpon Buttanavong in Hanoi on October 9 as part of the latter’s working visit to Vietnam.

The PM told his guest that Vietnam’s 30-year renovation process will be reviewed to outline proper orientations for Vietnam to become an industrial country in the short run.

He suggested both sides speeding up across-the-board cooperation as well as making them ready for future partnership plans.

The Lao Deputy PM thanked the Vietnamese Party, State and people for assistance and cooperation over the past time.

He said experience learnt during his visit would aid Lao authorities in instructing economic development schemes.

On the day, the Lao leader visited the northern province of Bac Ninh, where he had a working session with local authorities on their development-related lessons and toured the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park.

Earlier on October 8, the Lao guest visited the northern province of Quang Ninh, the locality that has established twin relations with the Lao provinces of Luang Prabang, Huaphane, and Sayaburi.

President Truong Tan Sang met the outgoing Qatari Ambassador to Vietnam, Mohamed Bin Jaber Abdullah Alsulaiti, in Hanoi on October 9.

The President praised the ambassador’s three-year mission, which contributed significantly to the cooperation between the two countries on trade, economy, labour and investment, most notably Qatar’s 1 billion USD oil refinery project in Vietnam.

Believing in further bilateral cooperation, he proposed the two partners continue their exchange of high-ranking delegations to strengthen the mutual ties.

The state leader also expressed his hope that Qatar would support Vietnam’s candidacy for the UN Economic and Social Council 2016-2018, the UN Security Council 2020-2021 and UNESCO’s Executive Council 2015-2019.

President Tan Sang asked the ambassador to extend his invitation to the current King of Qatar to visit Vietnam.

On his part, Mohamed Bin Jaber Abdullah Alsulaiti spoke highly of the people and landscapes of Vietnam. He said he strongly believed in the country’s future development.

Furthermore, he affirmed Qatar’s support for Vietnam’s candidacy for its desired positions at the UN.

NA delegation pays working visit to France

A Vietnamese National Assembly delegation, led by Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, is on a working visit to France from October 8-11.

On October 8, the Vice Chairwoman held talks with the First Vice President of the French National Assembly Laurence Dumont, during which she confirmed that Vietnam continuously attached importance to enhancing its multi-faceted ties with France, since the country was an important member of the United Nations and the European Union.

She expressed her hope that the two legislative bodies would maintain regular delegation exchanges and help their respective Governments implement programmes to enhance the bilateral strategic partnership.

Vietnam signed a number of international conventions, including those against torture and human trafficking, and joined the UN’s peacekeeping force. The country therefore wanted to learn from France’s experience in these fields, Phong said.

The Vice Chairwoman reiterated that Vietnam wished to receive support from France on environmental protection, climate change response, greenhouse gas emissions reduction and industrial wastewater treatment.

She also took this occasion to convey NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation for leaders of the French parliament to attend the 132 nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union scheduled for March 2015 in Vietnam.

Laurence Dumont said she hoped Vietnam would increase its role in the Francophone community further. She added that the two countries had seen a continuous development of educational cooperation, reflected in the increase in the number of Vietnamese students in France.

The host also acknowledged the important role of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group in boosting the bilateral strategic partnership.

That same day, NA Vice Chairwoman Phong held meetings with the group’s President Pascal Deguilhem and the Vice Chairman of the NA’s Law Commission Dominique Raimbourg.

She also met with Pascal Terrasse, the General Secretary of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie (APF), who proposed Vietnam host an APF meeting in 2017.

Phong expressed her gratitude for the General Secretary and French parliamentarians expressing their support for Vietnam’s view point to solve maritime disputes through peaceful negotiations.

International experts have exchanged views on the latest research results assessing the multi-dimensional impacts of territorial disputes in the East Sea at an international seminar in Hanoi on October 9.

The event hosted by the Hanoi University of Social Sciences and Humanities is seen as a scientific forum for Vietnamese and international scholars to propose solutions towards peace and co-operation in accordance with the UN Charter, international law and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea ( DOC).

In his address, Hanoi National University Director Ass.Professor. Dr Phung Xuan Nha emphasized that territorial disputes in the East Sea are the most noticeable hot spots in recent times along with the Korean Peninsula, the Taiwan Strait and the East China Sea as they are not simply a matter between the countries that file territorial claims.

Owing to a politically and economically important position, and the growing interdependence among nations, East Sea disputes have become an issue of Asia-Pacific and global concern.

“The unilateral aggressive acts in the East Sea by China recently has and will affect the whole region and the world in terms of many different aspects-security, cooperation, development and maritime freedom and new world order.” Nha noted.

In the recent past, Vietnamese and International scholars and scientists have expressed their strong voice and made important contributions to protecting peace and security in the region.

They have provided scientific grounds and true argumentation for the peaceful struggle to defend justice and prevent potential dangerous conflicts. As a leading center for training and scientific research in Vietnam, the Hanoi National University has pledged to support topics and research projects having positive impacts on peace and security in the region and the world alike, Nha said.

During the two-day seminar (October 9-10), participants discussed five major topics: The East Sea in a big picture of world powers- China and the US; East Sea territorial disputes in the context of international law; the legal basis and the method of peacefully resolving international disputes on maritime sovereignty; corollary of conflicts between Japan and China to resolve conflicts in the East Sea; ASEAN's role in preventing escalating conflicts in the East Sea.

As a member of ASEAN, Vietnam consistently confirms its desire to address the problem by peaceful measures without the use of force and threats to use force in compliance with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Vietnam will enhance cooperation with ASEAN in dealing with the East Sea issue since the regional grouping has played a central role in regional security initiatives such as the establishment of "the ASEAN Regional Forum" (1994) and  signing "The Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea" (DOC 2002) with China.

Vietnam is joining hands with other regional nations in building a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) and three communities- politics-security; economics; culture-society by 2015.

Vietnam, Moldova foster economic ties

Despite the anchor of stable and strong political relations, the broader economic and trade relationship between Vietnam and Moldova has not lived up to its full promise.

Moldova President Nocolae Timofti made the statement at a reception on  October 8 welcoming Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tri who came to present his credentials.

Timofti expressed his hope that ministries of both countries will continue to foster bilateral cooperation in furtherance of mutual benefit and peace and stability in the region and throughout the world.

He said he was impressed by the industriousness of the Vietnamese people striving to be more prosperous, and spoke most eloquently and touchingly of their hospitality.

For his part, Ambassador Tri conveyed best regards from State President Truong Tan Sang and affirmed that he will do his utmost to strengthen the traditional friendship and cooperation ties between the two nations.

He urged Moldova leaders and local authorities to create the best possible conditions for the embassy to fulfil its task.

On the occasion, the Ambassador met with officials of the Moldova Ministry of Foreign Affairs and European Integration and Ministry of Economy and the Ministry of Education discussing measures to boost bilateral cooperation.

He also had talks with representatives of the Vietnamese and Moldova business communities in hopes of forging a new common ground in economic and trade ties.

President marks liberation anniversary in capital city

Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang yesterday visited the Capital City Command to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the city's liberation from the French colonial regime.

The command, directly under the Ministry of National Defence, is tasked with organising, building, managing and commanding the armed forces defending the capital city. It played an active role in the defence of Ha Noi during the national war of resistance against the French and contributed to the city's liberation on October 10, 1954.

Speaking at the working session, the President praised the command's excellent performance in previous years and stressed that it was now facing the challenge of preventing crimes and ensuring political stability and security.

He said the command had a well-organised defence unit under the authority of the Ministry of National Defence and could effectively implement mass mobilisation and foreign relations work.

The President urged the command to continue implementing the resolutions of the 8th Plenum of the 11th Party Central Committee, on the strategy of national defence in the new context, and ensure national security and defence. He also emphasised the need to take care of the lives of the people.

On the same day, Sang met representatives of elite armed forces from three regions of the country. They were veterans of the Heroic Capital Regiment of Ha Noi, the Da Nang Special Task Force from the Central Region, the Sai Gon-Gia Dinh Special Task Force and the Vanguard Brigade of Division 304 from the South.

At the meeting, the President recalled the contributions of the regular army to the national struggle for independence.

VNS/VNA/VOV