HCM City hopes for stronger educational ties with Czech Republic

The meeting between Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Council Pham Duc Hai and a delegation of the the Czech lower house’s Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports on June 8 

Ho Chi Minh City is interested in enhancing cooperation with the Czech Republic in education and training to have high-quality human resources, Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Council Pham Duc Hai told officials of the Czech parliament’s lower house on June 8.

Hai was receiving Václav Klaus, head of the Czech lower house’s Committee on Science, Education, Culture, Youth and Sports, who is on a working visit to HCM City.

He stressed that the relations between Vietnam and the Czech Republic were set up in the 1950s and have been developed through mutual high-ranking visits and agreements signed in trade, investment and education.

HCM City hopes the Czech Republic will share its experience in building hi-tech infrastructure for a smart city and creating a system of high-quality universities and colleges. It also wants to step up ties with Czech localities to share teaching experience, organise arts programmes and boost cultural exchanges, he noted.

Václav Klaus said his committee chose Vietnam as the destination for its only foreign trip this year, which reflects his country’s willingness to reinforce cooperation with Vietnam and HCM City, especially in education and culture.

Valuing the dynamic development of the southern economic hub of Vietnam, he said the Czech Republic plans to re-establish the Consulate General in HCM City and hopes that with its presence, bilateral connections in politics, economy, trade and investment will be fostered to bring practical benefits to both sides.

During their stay in HCM City, the Czech delegation also visited some educational establishments and relic sites and the hi-tech centre of the city.

Deputy defence minister receives CEO of DAMEN Group

The meeting between Deputy Minister of National Defence Le Chiem and CEO of DAMEN Group Rene Berkvens in Hanoi on June 7 (Photo: qdnd.vn) 

Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lt Gen. Le Chiem received CEO of the Netherlands’ DAMEN Group Rene Berkvens in Hanoi on June 7, voicing his delight at the fruitful bilateral cooperation in shipbuilding.

Chiem applauded the cooperation in shipbuilding between the General Department of Defence Industry of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence and DAMEN Group.

He noted his ministry highly valued the firm’s capacity and advanced technology in shipbuilding, adding that DAMEN has transferred technologies to Vietnamese defence shipbuilding factories which have created many high-quality products for other countries and the coast and border guard forces of Vietnam.

He expressed his belief that with DAMEN’s assistance, the Vietnamese ministry will attain more achievements in shipbuilding to help protect the country’s marine sovereignty.

For his part, Berkvens said the fine relations between DAMEN and shipbuilding companies of the Defence Ministry of Vietnam have contributed to the Netherlands-Vietnam cooperation in defence industry.

In the coming time, DAMEN wants to expand ties in defence industry, including building multipurpose patrol vessels for the Vietnam Coast Guard and other types of ships serving socio-economic development on the country’s islands, he added.

Meeting discusses preparations for WEF ASEAN 2018

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on June 7 chaired the second meeting to prepare for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 (WEF ASEAN 2018), which is slated for September 11-13 

Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son on June 7 chaired the second meeting to prepare for the World Economic Forum on ASEAN 2018 (WEF ASEAN 2018), which is slated for September 11-13.

At the meeting, the organising committee discussed and reviewed preparations in all aspects for of the WEF ASEAN 2018.

Son, who is also head of the committee, stressed that the forum is one of the most important external activities of Vietnam in 2018, which aims to enhance the nation’s position and prestige in the world. 

He requested sub-committees and members of the organising committee to proactively work together to gear up for the event and prepare for a working session with a WEF delegation in late June 2018.

The WEF ASEAN 2018 is expected to see the attendance of senior leaders of many countries in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the region, as well as representatives of international organisations and leading corporations. 

Its schedule includes 55 sessions discussing chances, benefits and issues of the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) for the ASEAN members and measures to promote start-up development as well as ASEAN’s dynamism and competitiveness.

The WEF was established in 1971 as a non-profit foundation and headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland. The forum engages the foremost political, business and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.

President meets with female deputies of 14th parliament

President Tran Dai Quang (front, third, left) and female deputies of the 14th-tenure National Assembly pose for a photo 

President Tran Dai Quang had a meeting with female deputies of the 14th-tenure National Assembly (NA) in Hanoi on June 7, an event marking 10 years since the establishment of the female NA deputies’ group of Vietnam.

The meeting saw the presence of NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong, Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Organisation Commission Pham Minh Chinh, Chairwoman of the Party Central Committee’s Mass Mobilisation Commission Truong Thi Mai, and Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh.

NA Vice Chairwoman Phong, who is also head of the female NA deputies’ group, said women account for about 27.6 percent of total lawmakers at present, the highest rate in the three recent tenures, giving Vietnam the 63rd place among member parliaments of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Many of them are holding important positions in the State apparatus, she said.

Most of the female deputies have actively raised opinions about economic, cultural, social, security-defence, and external affairs, especially gender equality and the protection of the rights of women, children and vulnerable groups, thereby contributing to the common successes of the NA and NA agencies, Phong stressed.

Meanwhile, they have also played an active role in bilateral and multilateral inter-parliamentary activities, helping to show Vietnam as a friend, trustworthy partner and responsible member of the world community and gather foreign support for the country, she said, adding that their participation in external activities has contributed to the growing stature of Vietnamese women in the international arena.

At the meeting, President Quang highly evaluated female lawmakers’ role in the NA’s activities in which they have shown considerable improvements in their legislative and supervisory skills and making decisions on important issues of the nation. They have been actively contributing to Vietnam’s industrialisation, modernisation and integration into the world, he said.

The Party and State always create the best possible conditions for female deputies to continue their contributions and uphold the fine traditions of Vietnamese women, the President affirmed.

The leader asked the female NA deputies’ group of Vietnam to make more efforts to attain greater achievements, helping to build a law-governed State of the people, by the people and for the people.

Congratulations extended to Italian, Spanish leaders

New Prime Minister of Italy Giuseppe Conte (Photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on June 7 sent a message of congratulations to Giuseppe Conte on his appointment as Prime Minister of Italy.

The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also congratulated Enzo Moavero Milanesi on his appointment as Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Italy. 

Also on June 7, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc cabled a congratulatory message to Pedro Sánchez on his election as Prime Minister of Spain.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended a message of congratulations to Josep Borrel on his appointment as Minister for Foreign Affairs and Cooperation of Spain.

Ambassador: Vietnam – trustworthy partner of Netherlands

President Tran Dai Quang (R) hosted outgoing Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Nienke Trooster in Hanoi on June 7 

Vietnam is a trustworthy partner of the Netherlands, said outgoing Dutch Ambassador to Vietnam Nienke Trooster at a reception hosted by President Tran Dai Quang in Hanoi on June 7.

President Quang praised the ambassador’s positive contributions to the bilateral friendship and multifaceted cooperation and urged her to contribute further to the relationship in the future.

The President said the bilateral relations are growing fruitfully in all field and highlighted the signing of agreements to form a strategic partnership in climate change response and water resource management in 2010, and in agriculture and food security in 2014 as an effective cooperation model, thus promoting the Netherlands’ images and contributing to Vietnam’s sustainable development.

The political trust between Vietnam and the Netherlands has been strengthened, while the two nations have become an important economic, trade and investment partner of each other, and seen progress in educational and cultural cooperation, he said.

President Quang said, built up on the achievements, Vietnam and the Netherlands still hold great potential to expand collaboration so as to push relations to new heights. 

Having lauded the Netherlands’ position and role in the EU, the President thanked the Dutch Government’s support for the early ratification of the EU- Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EUVFTA).

For her part, Trooster said the Dutch Government pays heed to the strategic partnership with Vietnam in water resource management, climate change adaptation, agriculture and food security, stressing that these areas are important spheres on the global scale.

The diplomat said she was honoured to witness milestones in the bilateral relations, including celebrations of the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and the working visit to Vietnam by Queen of the Netherlands Máxima Zorreguieta Cerruti in May 2017 as the UN Secretary-General’s Special Advocate for Inclusive Finance for Development.

She said the Netherlands wants to focus on strengthening economic, trade and investment ties with Vietnam. The Netherlands is the biggest European investor in Vietnam and the third biggest trade partner of Vietnam among European countries.

Vietnam, UK should utilise cooperation potential: President

President Tran Dai Quang (right) and outgoing UK Ambassador Giles Lever

President Tran Dai Quang has called on Vietnam and the UK to fully tap their potential for cooperation in order to boost the bilateral strategic partnership in a more comprehensive, pragmatic and effective fashion. 

At a reception for outgoing UK Ambassador Giles Lever in Hanoi on June 7, the President affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to promoting the strategic partnership with the UK, one of the country’s priority European partners. 

He said since the two countries established diplomatic ties 45 years ago, especially after the formation of the strategic partnership in 2010, their relationship has developed in all fields. 

In the context that Vietnam and the UK are celebrating the 45th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2018, the two countries should increase cultural and sport exchange programmes to reinforce their friendship and mutual understanding, he said. 

The President suggested both sides maintain and enhance the exchange of high-ranking delegations to create political trust, step up economic, trade and investment links, expand collaboration in national defence-security, crime combat and peacekeeping operations, and maintain their affiliation in culture, health care, sports and education-training. 

The leader also urged the two countries to carry forward mutual consultation and support mechanisms at multi-lateral forums and within the framework of the United Nations. 

He thanked the UK for backing the stance of Vietnam and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) on handling issues regarding the East Sea in order to ensure peace, security, and aviation and navigation safety and freedom in the waters. 

For his part, Giles Lever highlighted remarkable progresses in deepening the strategic partnership, emphasising that cooperation in economy and trade between the UK and Vietnam has developed at the fastest pace as compared with other partners of the UK in the Asia-Pacific region. 

He also spoke of the expansion of bilateral cooperation in new realms like scientific research, public health and national defence-security, particularly peacekeeping operations. 

He reaffirmed the UK government’s commitment to maintaining collaboration with partners in Asia-Pacific as the country withdraws from the European Union (EU). The UK will continue renewing economic cooperation with Vietnam in many areas such as business climate improvement and green city building, he said.

The diplomat informed his host that on the occasions of the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and 25 years of operation of the British Council in Vietnam, the UK will organise a range of meaningful activities in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to celebrate such events. 

Lever affirmed the UK’s strong support for the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement and the Vietnam-UK Bilateral Free Trade Agreement. 

The UK will increase investments in Vietnam in the areas that match the two countries’ potential, while collaborating with Vietnam to ensure the respect of international law and ensure peace, security and navigation and aviation safety and freedom in the East Sea, he said. 

The UK also wants to join hands with Vietnam in coping with global challenges, particularly in the environmental sector, the ambassador said.

Tuyen Quang delegation visits Russia

The Tuyen Quang delegation at the meeting with Zyuganov Leonid, head of the Moscow City Duma’s Commission for Science and Industry 

A delegation from the northern province of Tuyen Quang, led by Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyen Van Son, has paid a visit to Russia.

While in Russia from June 1-5, the delegation met with Zyuganov Leonid, head of the Moscow City Duma’s Commission for Science and Industry. The Moscow City Duma is the Russian regional parliament in Moscow.

The two sides discussed the structure and apparatus of the Moscow City Duma and Tuyen Quang People’s Council.

Chairman Son requested the Moscow City Duma help connect Russian firms with their peers in Tuyen Quang to form trade – investment partnership.

Zyuganov said he hopes to establish a collaboration ties between the Moscow City Duma and Tuyen Quang People’s Council.

He pledged to do his best in updating local businesses on investment projects in Tuyen Quang, particularly in tourism.

The Tuyen Quang delegation also visited the Vietnam Embassy in Russia, where they were informed on Russian localities’ potential for cooperation with their Vietnamese peers.

Son said he expects the embassy and Association of Vietnamese in Russia, Vietnamese companies in the country to help Tuyen Quang’s tea and Ham Yen orange to enter the Russian market.