Deputy PM lauds ties with Germany

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan voiced pleasure at the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Germany at a reception for Secretary General of the German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) Dorothea Ruland on May 9.

The Deputy PM spoke highly of the two countries’ coming launch of the Vietnamese Alumni in Germany on May 10, adding that it will create chances for Vietnamese students who have studied in Germany to share and recall their time spent in the country.

Nhan urged Vietnam and Germany to upgrade their cooperation in education and scientific research in order to match the two countries’ strategic partnership.

He highly valued the performance of DAAD’s office in Vietnam in the past time, and expressed hope that it and the Secretary General herself will grant more scholarships for Vietnamese students, organise postgraduate courses in Vietnam, and support research and internship courses in Germany.

For her part, Ruland praised Vietnam and Germany’s cooperative achievements, and hopes to accelerate the multifaceted ties between the two countries, including those in education and training.

HCM City, WB to work across the board

Meeting with Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Huu Tin in HCM City on May 9, Trotsenburg expressed his hope that the two sides will devise measures to involve the private sector in projects, and effectively implement other projects in the time to come.

Trotsenburg said apart from funding infrastructure construction, the WB can help HCM City build policies and regulations in urban management and planning, as well as cope with climate change.

Tin said the city is keen on the WB’s assistance in environmental, climate change and public transport development.

He vowed to assign relevant municipal departments and agencies to work with WB representatives in Vietnam.

HCM City pledges to fully implement the contents signed with the WB and do its utmost to make full use of the WB’s assistance to the city, Tin said.

Congratulations to new WTO Director General

Vietnam has congratulated Roberto Azevero on his election as new General Director of the World Trade Organisation (WTO) for the 2013-2017 tenure, said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi.

We believe that during his new term Roberto Azevero will continue to strengthen and increase the role of the multilateral trading system and the World Trade Organisation in particular, to overcome current challenges and add fresh impetus to global economic recovery, Nghi said at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on May 9.

He affirmed that Vietnam will continue to join hands with other WTO member countries to fulfil the aforementioned goals.

HCM City, RoK localities beef up links

Ho Chi Minh City and the Republic of Korea (RoK) have agreed to enhance cooperation in economics, cultural exchanges and the exchange of delegations to work in fields of mutual concern.

The decision was reached by Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam and a member of RoK Parliament’s Special Committee on Ethics, Education, Culture, Sports and Tourism Youn Kwan-suk in HCM City on May 9.

Tam said there remains great potential in the cooperation between HCM City and the RoK’s localities, especially in fields of each side’s strength.

She also hailed the fine relations between the two sides over the past time. At present, the RoK is one of the leading investors in Vietnam and HCM City. Numerous Korean firms are operating effectively in the city, she added.

Youn Kwan-suk said he hopes the municipal authorities will continue making it easier for Korean businesses to invest in the city.

Over 1,800 Korean businesses operate in Vietnam and the figure will continue to grow, he added.

He also expressed his belief that the city will overcome challenges amid the global economic downturn and develop further in the coming years.

Anti-fascist Victory Day marked in Vietnam

A ceremony was held in Cam Ranh city, the central costal province of Khanh Hoa to celebrate the 68th anniversary of the Soviet Union’s victory over fascism (May 9, 1945-2013).

Representatives from the Russian Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City attended the event, which was jointly held by the Khanh Hoa chapter of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation (VUFO) and Vietsovpetro joint venture.

Speaking at the ceremony, Rear Admiral Pham Thanh Hoa, Political Commissar of Naval Zone 4, said mankind will never forget the sacrifice of Soviet Union people in the fight against fascism and the significance of the victory for the national liberation movement in the world.

He said Vietnam treasures the traditional friendship that exists between the two countries, expressing his belief that the ties will be further developed for the interest of both countries, and peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Participants at the ceremony laid wreaths at the statue dedicated to more than 200 soldiers, workers and experts of both countries, who died while fighting for peace and stability in the region.

The same day, a celebration was held in Ho Chi Minh City by VUFO and the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Organisation in the city.

PM receives Timor-Leste Ambassador

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosted a reception in Ha Noi on May 8, for newly-accredited Timor-Leste Ambassador to Viet Nam Jorge Trindade Neves de Camoes.

At the meeting, Dung affirmed that Viet Nam always attaches importance to boosting multi-faceted co-operation with Timor-Leste, especially in areas of economics as well as trade and investment for practical benefits and common development of the two countries.

He expressed his hope that Timor-Leste would create favourable conditions for both countries' businesses to strengthen trade ties, while supporting Vietnamese investors in the country, particularly those engaging in telecommunications.

Viet Nam is always willing to promote rice exports to Timor-Leste to ensure the country's food security, Dung said.

He added that Viet Nam will share its experience and co-operate with the country in developing agricultural production and building infrastructure.

The diplomat confirmed he will do his utmost to foster the two countries' bilateral relations in all fields, particularly in agriculture.

He suggested Viet Nam intensify co-operation with Timor-Leste in the exchange of agricultural products, furniture, garments and textiles plus other necessities.

Hungary helps VN with public admin

Deputy Minister of Public Security Pham Quy Ngo on May 8, held a working session with Gabor Fekete, visiting Hungarian Deputy State Secretary for the Ministry of Public Administration and Justice, on the implementation of a residential management project.

Ngo stressed the importance of the Hungarian Government-funded project in reforming administrative procedures and institutionalising the public administration of residential management in Viet Nam. He proposed the Hungarian side soon implement a credit agreement for the project to ensure its effectiveness and punctuality.

He also suggested the Hungarian Government consider providing more development assistance for the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security to expand the project to other provinces beyond the pilot scheme in northern Hai Phong City.

Fekete pledged Hungary's support in helping Viet Nam implement the project, which was signed during the 4th session of the Viet Nam-Hungary Joint Committee in Ha Noi in October 2012, with the best possible results.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA