NA Chairman to attend ASEP 7

Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung will lead a delegation to attend the 7th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP7) Meeting in Vientiane on October 3 and 4.

According to the NA Committee for External Relations, Mr Hung’s visit will be made at the invitation of Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou.

Top lawmaker to attend regional meeting in Laos

Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung will lead a high-ranking delegation to attend the 7th Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP-7) Meeting in Vientiane from October 3-4.

The delegation will be guests of Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou.

Leaders extend congratulations on China’s National Day

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung have extended congratulations to their Chinese counterparts on China’s 63rd National Day (October 1).

In their messages to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and State President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo, and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the Vietnamese leaders highlighted the achievements that the Chinese people have made over the past 63 years, especially those gained in the last 30 years of implementing reforms and open-door policies.

They expressed their delight at the development of the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership between Vietnam and China.

The Vietnamese leaders affirmed that the Party, State and people of Vietnam are willing to join the Party, State and people of China in striving unceasingly to reinforce the neighbourly friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Also on the occasion, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended greetings to his Chinese counterpart Yang Jiechi.

ASEAN backs Vietnam’s candidacy for Human Rights Council

ASEAN nations will back Vietnam's candidacy for a position on the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure.

Member nation Foreign Ministers of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) voiced their support on September 27-28, during an Informal ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (IAMM), on the sidelines of the 66th UN General Assembly in New York City.

In his speech at the meeting, Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh urged ASEAN members to uphold the association’s centrality by respecting the basic principles detailed in the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation and the Declaration of the East Asia Summit.

He called on parties to honour international law by exercising restraint, foregoing the use of force and the threat of force, peacefully settling disputes, and advancing mutually beneficial relationships for the sake of peace, stability, security, and cooperation in the region.

Regarding the East Sea issues, Deputy FM Vinh stressed the need for complying with the basic principles of international law, He highlighted the relevance of the 2012 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), and the progress made towards the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC).

Vinh also met with heads of delegations and the representatives of several nations to discuss bilateral relationships and issues of mutual concern.

Party delegation attends Frelimo’s national congress

A Vietnamese delegation, led by Deputy Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for External Relations Tran Dac Loi, has attended the 10th National Congress of the Liberation Front of Mozambique (Frelimo Party).

In his welcome speech to the congress, which was held from September 23-28, Loi highlighted the close relationship between the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Frelimo Party during their respective struggles for national independence.

He reaffirmed Vietnam’s support of the Frelimo Party since the early stage of its foundation 50 years ago. Diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Mozambique were first established in 1975.

He expressed hopes that the friendship and time-honoured solidarity between the two countries will be further tightened.

Vietnam and Mozambique share various interests and values, he said, adding that both peoples would benefit from a continued mutual recognition and respect.

Loi presented the Frelimo Party with a portrait of the late President Ho Chi Minh.

On the sidelines of the congress, the Vietnamese delegation met with leaders and members of the Frelimo Party to discuss ways of boosting cooperation between the two Parties.

Loi also visited a branch of the Vietnam-based Viettel Telecom Group in Mozambique and attended the inauguration ceremony of the Statue of Samora Machel, first President of Mozambique.

Vietnam, Germany to boost strategic partnership

The Vietnam – Germany Friendship Association (VGFA) and the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES) Institute of Germany jointly held a seminar in Hanoi on September 28 to review the achievements and discuss prospects of the Vietnam – Germany strategic partnership.

Addressing the event, VGFA President Hoang Van Huay said similar seminars will also be held in Danang and Ho Chi Minh this year, in a bid to provide an insight into the significance of the Vietnam – Germany strategic partnership in politics, economics, education and training as well as prospects for future bilateral cooperation.

Erwin Schweisshelm, head of the FES representative office in Vietnam, said the event offers the participants a chance to discuss prospects for bilateral cooperation between, thus further promoting friendship and cooperation between the two peoples.

During the 2000 - 2012 period, Vietnam’s imports and exports to Germany saw a fourfold increase, reaching an annual growth of 16.6 percent.

Tran Ngoc Quan, deputy head of the European Market Department under the Ministry of Industry and Trade, expressed thanks to the recovery of German economy and ceaseless efforts of the two Governments and business communities, especially since Vietnam and the EU started the negotiations on a free trade agreement in June, the two countries have been able to make the most of each side’s existing strengths.

He said believes the two-way trade between Vietnam and Germany will hit US$6.5 billion this year and exceed US$10 billion by 2015.

The same day, the VGFA also hosted a get-together to celebrate the 22nd National Day of Germany, the 37th anniversary of the Vietnam – Germany diplomatic ties and the first anniversary of the two countries’ strategic partnership.

President sends best wishes for mid-Autumn fest

State President Truong Tan Sang has sent a letter to Vietnamese children wishing them a merry and joyful Mid Autumn festival. The festival will take place on Sept. 30.

In his letter, Sang extended his warmest greetings to all Vietnamese children living in and outside Vietnam as well as foreign children residing in the country.

He told the children that the Party and Government as well as their parents and all of society have always wanted the best for them and hope that they all achieve outstanding things, both in academics and in physical training.

"I want you to become good nieces and nephews of Uncle Ho and useful citizens of society," said Sang.

He wished them to be on par with their friends in all five continents as the late President Ho Chi Minh wished when he was alive.

President Truong Tan Sang was full of praise for their achievements in both studying and life, particularly those living in remote regions.

"May your dreams become a reality," said Sang.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA