Friendship with Venezuela to be promoted at all levels
 
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday assured his guest, Chairman of the Venezuelan National Assembly Fernando Soto Rojas, that he would do his best to promote friendship between the governments, parliaments and people of Viet Nam and Venezuela.

He reiterated Viet Nam's consistent policy of expanding co-operation with all nations around the world, with the goals of peace and development.

"As an ASEAN member, Viet Nam has joined hands with other countries and territories to overcome challenges in the current world economic crisis," said Hung.

Hung was full of praise for the achievements gained by Venezuela in recent years, particularly the country's status on the international stage.

He was glad that the two countries had many things in common, and were both in the process of constructing a new nation.

"Venezuela extended active support to Viet Nam in wartime, as well as the following stages of national recovery and development," said Hung.

Chairman Rojas expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's achievements in politics, diplomacy, socio-economic development and particularly in national defence.

The two chairmen agreed that the two countries should maximise their potential in the field of oil and gas exploration and processing.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday also met with Chairman Rojas as part of the Venezuelan NA leader's ongoing visit to Viet Nam.

During the meeting, Chairman Rojas praised Viet Nam's progress in socio-economic development under the leadership of the Vietnamese Communist Party. He also briefed Party Secretary Trong on the current situation in Venezuela and preparations for the upcoming presidential election in 2012, while expressing his hopes to boost relations between the two governments in general and assemblies in particular.

For his part, Trong informed Chairman Rojas on the current situation in Viet Nam and the results of the recent Party Congress, in addition to praising the two countries' progress in bilateral relations. He suggested that the two governments and assemblies continue increasing co-operation in all areas.

Trong also thanked the Venezuelan people's support during Viet Nam's struggle for independence and reaffirmed commitments to bring relations to the next level. He also sent his best wishes to Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez.

Chairman Rojas was also received by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai yesterday.

During the meeting, the two sides agreed that the Inter-Government Committees of their respective countries would act as facilitators in executing investment co-operation agreements signed by leaders of the two nations.

INTERPOL General Assembly opens in Hanoi

The 80th General Assembly of the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) opened in Hanoi on October 31 with the participation of 1,200 delegates from 188 INTERPOL member nations.

Addressing the opening ceremony, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc appreciated the organization’s assistance to Vietnam in its fight against transnational crime. He said he believes that with its emerging role, the organization will be able to improve its effectiveness in preventing transnational crime and ensuring stability in the world.

The Deputy PM said INTERPOL General Assemblies provide a forum for police forces of its member countries to review the results of their cooperation, set strategic targets and complete a mechanism for coordination to combat transnational crime more effectively.

With its strong development, INTERPOL will continue to contribute to maintaining peace and stability in the world, Mr Phuc said.

This year’s General Assembly is focused on reviewing the implementation of resolutions for combating and preventing crime as well as INTERPOL’s recent programs.

Police forces from INTERPOL member nations will also be able to share their experiences in crime prevention and devise orientations for the future.

** At the press briefing after the opening ceremony, INTERPOL President Khoo Boon Hui spoke highly of Vietnam’s organization and the communication campaign for the meeting, saying he hopes that this year’s meeting will be a great success.

Mr Hui also warned against emerging challenges, especially transnational crimes that are becoming more complex with the help of high technology.

President Hui said INTERPOL’s role should be strengthened to improve cooperation among member countries and the information sharing mechanism.

He praised Vietnam’s efforts in dealing with transnational crime, especially the building of a regional mechanism for cooperation with other countries in the Southeast Asian region.

VUFO promotes people-to-people exchange with China

A delegation of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) led by its Vice Chairman Tran Dac Loi paid a working visit to China from October 26-30 at the invitation of the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC).

Within the framework of the visit, the delegation held talks with CPAFFC. The two sides pledged to strengthen cooperation in organising people-to-people exchange activities with a view to promoting economic cooperation between the two countries and bringing practical mutual benefits to both Vietnamese and Chinese people.

During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation visited a number of businesses and rural areas in Guangdong province.

Vietnam active in ASEAN-EP relations

The Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium, as rotating Chair of the ASEAN Brussels Committee (ABC) in the second half of the year, successfully hosted a working visit by ambassadors of ASEAN member countries in Belgium to the European Parliament (EP) in Strasbourg in France from October 26-27.

Within the framework of the visit, the ASEAN ambassadors met with EP President Jerzy Buzek, EP Deputy President Libor Roucek and members of the EP delegation for relations with ASEAN countries.

At the meetings, they exchanged views on issues of common concern, especially efforts in dealing with the public debt crisis in Europe and ASEAN’s plan to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015.

They also discussed specific measures to further strengthen relations between the national assemblies of ASEAN member countries and the EP.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau spoke highly of the fine development in relations between the Vietnam National Assembly with the EP, suggesting the two sides coordinate closely to prepare for the visit to the EP by Vietnam’s NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung at the end of this year.

As part of the visit, ASEAN ambassadors attended a plenary session of the EP.

PV