Vietnam, Thailand boost bilateral cooperation


Vietnam and Thailand will bolster multifaceted cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies to help boost bilateral relations and common development of the Southeast Asian region. 


The agreement was reached at a meeting between President of the Senate of Thailand, Teeradej Meepien and Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang.


Senate President Meepien affirmed Vietnam-Thailand cooperative relations are developing based on mutual trust, sincerity and respect. The two National Assemblies closely cooperated via exchanging delegations and cooperative activities in the framework of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.


At the meeting, the two sides informed each other on the success of Vietnam’s national elections of the 13th NA and People’s Councils at all levels and preparations for general elections in Thailand, expected to take place on July 3. They also exchanged and shared views on issues of mutual concern, including enhancing economic cooperation between northeastern Thai provinces and Vietnam ’s central provinces and the prospect of cooperation in overlapping sea areas. 

Both also acknowledged the implementation of the programme on developing the relic site on President Ho Chi Minh in the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Village and other projects on President Ho in Thailand, which represented the two countries’ close friendship. 

The projects are expected to create favourable conditions for the establishment of a Vietnam-Thailand community and the ASEAN Community in 2015.


Truong Sa stones reach northern locality


Stones taken from Truong Sa archipelago. (Source: VNA)
Stones taken from the Truong Sa archipelago as evidence of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago were presented to authorities and people of the northwestern province of Dien Bien on June 10.


There are 21 pieces of stones, which have been collected from 21 islands belonging to Truong Sa archipelago where there is the presence of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s Navy.

Each piece of stone carries a symbol of the island where it was picked up, the coordinate specifying the location of the island in the sea and an image of Vietnamese bronze drum. 

At the presentation ceremony, Rear Admiral Pham Ngoc Chan of the Vietnam People’s Navy said, “the reception of sovereign symbols (stones) from the Truong Sa archipelago is of political significance as the activity contributes to heightening the people’s awareness, responsibility and pride in national sovereignty.”

“The stones remind the young generations of the nation’s heroic tradition and a sense of responsibility that each of them needs to display in firmly defending Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands as well as territorial integrity,” the naval officer said.

Those stones, as gifts from the Vietnam Naval Force and people on the island district of Truong Sa, are being exhibited at the Museum of Dien Bien Phu Victory in Dien Bien Phu city.


Germany aims to boost ties with Vietnam


Germany hopes to build a “German House” in Vietnam to promote cooperation in politics, economics, and culture.


German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwell said this while meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem in Berlin on the sidelines of the 10th Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting (FMM ASEM 10).


Minister Westerwell briefed Mr. Khiem on the outcome of his visit to Vietnam during which both sides signed a US$212 million agreement to build an underground system in Ho Chi Minh City and a US$10 million agreement on a vocational training programme in Vietnam.


Germany and Vietnam should take full advantage of these opportunities to establish a strategic partnership, said Mr. Westerwelle.


Deputy PM Khiem appreciated Mr. Westerwelle’s visit to Vietnam and affirmed that Germany is Vietnam’s biggest EU partner.


Vietnam is willing to be a gateway for Germany to penetrate the ASEAN market and it supports building a “German House” in Vietnam.


The two ministers pledged to support each other in international forums and prepare for German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit to Vietnam, which is scheduled for October.


VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA