Vietnamese, Lao provinces exchange experience
A dialogue for exchanging experiences between the People’s Council of central Quang Tri province and a Lao delegation of National Assembly (NA) deputies in Savannakhet was organised on April 17.
The Vietnamese side reported that provincial groups of NA deputies closely associate with local People’s Councils to act as extensions of State power to ensure the effective implementation of the national Constitution, laws and State policies at local levels.
The two provinces have held a number of bilateral dialogues over the years to strengthen and develop their relationship. In addition, communities and authorities in border areas have worked together in an effort to maintain security and prevent crime.
Such collaborative works have nurtured the mutual trust and understanding between the two localities and their people, reflected in practical outcomes.
Earlier, the Lao delegation laid a floral tribute at the Quang Tri Citadel and visited several other historical sites to learn about the province’s culture and people.-
Vietnam, Singapore forge stronger economic links
Minister of Planning and Investment Bui Quang Vinh and Singaporean Minister of Trade and Industry Lim Hng Kiang co-chaired the 11th Ministerial Meeting on Vietnam-Singapore Economic Connectivity in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue on April 17.
The annual event focused on reviewing the outcomes of bilateral cooperation in six prioritised fields since the previous meeting held in Singapore in April of last year, while also seeking measures to further foster economic links between the two countries.
The Vietnamese side proposed Singapore continue encouraging its businesses to invest in Vietnam in new cooperation areas, expanding the bilateral partnership for mutual benefit.
The meeting is part of the Vietnam-Singapore Economic Connectivity Agreement signed by the two governments in 2005. The deal focuses on the six main areas of finance, education and training, transport, information technology and communications, investment, and trade and services.
During the event, the Vietnam National Administration of Tourism and the Singapore Tourism Board signed a memorandum of understanding on tourism collaboration.
At the same time, the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency and Singapore’s UOB Bank also signed a memorandum of understanding on investment promotion cooperation.
Norwegian PM concludes Vietnam visit
Norwegian Prime Minister Erna Solberg concluded her official visit to Vietnam on April 18, during which both sides agreed to further bolster their 40-year ties towards a partnership framework suitable with their prioritised collaboration areas in the future.
During her three-day stay, the Norwegian PM held talks with her Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung and had meetings with President Truong Tan Sang and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.
Both countries vowed to increase efforts to achieve all Millennium Development Goals, while strengthening cooperation in the framework of the Post-2015 Global Development Agenda.
They will continue expanding bilateral trade and investment affiliation, especially in sea-based economy, maritime and energy. They reaffirmed commitments of the two Governments to work for the early conclusion of negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Union.
At the same time, both sides concurred to promote exchanges of delegations at all levels, especially at high level, thus sharing opinions on issues of mutual concern.
The two sides agreed to continue with regular political consultations and human rights dialogues, and coordination in reducing emission from deforestation and forest degradation through the United Nations’ REDD programme in Vietnam.
Meanwhile, they will strengthen bilateral cooperation at regional and multilateral forums.
Vietnam and Norway also reaffirmed commitment to respecting and enhancing the role of international law for ensuring peace, stability and prosperity as well as strengthening security, safety and freedom of maritime, aviation and trade, and the fight against piracy and armed robbery at sea in conformity with principles of international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.
During her visit, the Norwegian PM paid floral tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and laid a wreath at the Fallen Soldiers’ Monument in Hanoi.
She also addressed an international conference on Vietnam’s achievements in realising Millennium Development Goals, and inspected a number of the UNICEF-funded education and health care projects in the northern mountainous province of Lao Cai.-
Czech province delegation in HCM City for boosting ties
Governor Vaclav Slajs of the Czech Republic’s Pilsen region hoped his visit to Ho Chi Minh City will turn a new page in the ties between the two localities, which are both known for their dynamic growth.
The governor made the remark during a meeting with HCM City mayor Le Hoang Quan on April 18, adding that his country always considers Vietnam a priority cooperative partner, taking into consideration the close ties between the former Czechoslovakia and Vietnam.
Concurring with his guest, Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan said the southern hub has long provided favourable conditions for Czech nationals and business community to live and work in the city.
Quan declared that HCM City wishes to strengthen the ties with Pilsen, contributing to cementing the long-term diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic, which marks its 65th anniversary this year.
Vietnam, Azerbaijan look to enhance partnership
Vietnamese Ambassador to Azerbaijan Nguyen Thanh Son on April 19 presented his credentials to Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev who pledged to continue assisting the Vietnamese community in the country and granting more scholarship to Vietnamese students.
The Azerbaijan leader expressed his delight at the dynamic development of ties between the two countries over the past years, agreeing that both sides should promote cooperation in traditional areas of oil and gas as well as education and training.
He said he is looking forward to President Truong Tan Sang’s State visit to Azerbaijan this May.
Ambassador Son said President Truong Tan Sang hopes that his visit will create a new momentum for bilateral ties.
He stressed that the Vietnamese people always bear in mind the warm sentiments and support of late President Heydar Aliyev gave to the country.
The diplomat thanked the Azerbaijani President and Government for backing the Vietnamese community in integrating into the host society.
Vietnam and Azerbaijan set up diplomatic ties in 1950. Azerbaijan opened its Embassy in Hanoi in 2013.
The two countries have maintained regular high-level delegation exchanges as well as bilateral meetings on the margin of regional and international forums. President Ilham Aliyev visited Vietnam last May, while Party Politburo member and Permanent member of the Party Central Committee Le Hong Anh toured Azerbaijan in October the same year.
Last year, two-way trade reached 422.4 million USD, nearly 15 times the figure of 2012. Vietnam mainly exported mobile phone, computers, electronic spare parts, wooden products and seafood to Azerbaijan, while importing crude oil and petrol of all kinds.
Oil and gas is the key pillar in bilateral cooperation, with Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group opening a representative office in Azerbaijan in 2010.
Currently, about 40 Vietnamese people are working and studying in Azerbaijan.
Rise to int’l levels, VN lawyers urged
President Truong Tan Sang said on Saturday that the Government will support the country’s lawyers in fulfilling their role of redressing
shortcomings and other issues in the national legal system.
He was addressing the National Congress of Lawyers that concluded yesterday with the election of 95 members to the National Lawyers’ Council.
Sang called on lawyers to continue improving their capabilities, especially in handling international lawsuits.
He asked the Viet Nam Bar Federation (VBF) to serve as a bridge between the Government and lawyers nationwide, noting that the country’s per
capita lawyer population remained low compared to international norms.
The quality of legal services provided should also improve, he said.
VBF vice-president Phan Trung Hoai said the new council would elect its President at its next meeting. He said the selection process must be
carefully planned and executed as the President would play a key role in developing the organisation.
Answering questions raised by reporters on ethical breaches in the legal profession, another VBF vice president, Do Ngoc Thinh, said there was no case in which conclusive evidence has been found of lawyers intentionally obstructing justice, although “there have been reports and signs.”
He said organisations and individuals found breaking the professional code of conduct or deliberately obstructing justice will be severely punished and removed from the bar.
Vietnam Ambassador, Russian Governor talk cooperation prospect
Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Nguyen Thanh Son discussed cooperation enhancement with Governor of Russia’s Tambov region Oleg Betin at the Embassy’s headquarters in Moscow on April 16.
Briefing Betin on the outcomes of the recent Vietnam visit by Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, Son said it is important to deepen overall bilateral cooperation, adding that his country treasures its ties with Tambov.
The diplomat noted a major Vietnamese dairy processing company is interested in investing in Russia and that he plans to introduce this firm to the region.
Governor Oleg Betin said Tambov has agricultural advantages and is only 450 kilometres from the capital city of Moscow.
The prospect of cooperation with Vietnam in animal livestock and processing is promising, he said, citing that a number of livestock and poultry processing facilities have been built and many others are under construction in Tambov.
The official also introduced other potentials of his region, voicing his willingness to collaborate with Vietnamese enterprises to tap into Russia’s huge market for agricultural products and export food to Vietnam.
At the meeting, the two sides also touched upon other possible cooperation areas and agreed to coordinate to promote the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries.
HCM City to bolster ties with Chinese localities: official
Ho Chi Minh City will exert every effort to foster its cooperation with Chinese localities, said Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan at his meeting with visiting Chinese Minister of Public Security Guo Shengkun on April 17.
Quan said the Vietnamese-Chinese relations have been developing vigorously since their diplomatic ties were established 65 years ago.
HCM City specifically also has cooperative relations with a number of Chinese localities, he noted.
Minister Guo Shengkun said he was impressed with the city’s rapid economic growth and integration into the region and the world, as well as its residents’ improved living standards.
He said he believes HCM City will reap further achievements under the leadership of the Vietnamese Party and State and municipal officials.
China and Vietnam consider each other good friends, comrades and neighbours, the official noted, adding that the outcomes of the working session between the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and Ministry of Public Security with the Chinese Ministry of Public Security will help strengthen bilateral cooperation.
HCM City has cooperated with many major Chinese cities including Shanghai, Guangzhou, Guangxi and Guangdong.
In 2014, the municipality’s trade with Chinese localities approximated 3.3 billion USD and Chinese businesses had 133 projects worth more than 300 million USD in the city.
The Vietnamese southern hub welcomed nearly 300,000 Chinese tourists last year.
Vietnam, Hungary move to enhance ties
A recent Hungary visit of a delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son has produced positive outcomes and set tasks for the two countries to further their multifaceted collaboration.
Developing the 65-year relations with Vietnam (1950-2015) is a priority in Hungary’s Look East policy, Hungarian officials declared during working sessions with the Vietnamese delegation.
They said Hungary lauded Vietnam’s innovation progress with a belief that the nation will see a higher growth rate this year thanks to its effective macroeconomic policies.
The central European country agreed to strengthen its coordination with Vietnam at international forums, especially within the frameworks of the United Nations and the Asia-Europe Meeting.
Both sides concurred that their trade engagements hold great potentials to thrive and they will work together to implement cooperative plans set at the March session of their joint economic committee.
In 2014, Vietnam and Hungary earned 176 million USD in trade revenue, an annual rise of 19 percent.
The two will step up mutually-beneficial ties in a number of sectors, including higher education, water resources management, health care, agriculture and personnel training for nuclear-power plants. In particularly, they agreed to accelerate the implementation of projects in Vietnam funded by Hungarian preferential credit, such as the construction of the Can Tho Oncology Hospital.
Hungary took the occasion to express appreciation of the role of the Vietnamese expatriate community in promoting trade-investment ties between the two countries.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Szijjarto affirmed that his nation supports the early conclusion of negotiations and signing of the Vietnam-European Union free trade agreement, which he said will help stimulate investment and commercial activities between Hungary and Vietnam.
Concerning the East Sea issue, the Hungarian side supported the peaceful approach of Vietnam and the ASEAN to settle disputes in conformity with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Code of Conduct in the East Sea.
VNA/VNS
Đăng ký: VietNam News