Da Nang hosts training conference on ethnic and religious affairs

The participants discussed the Party’s policies and the important role of the VFF in the affairs and exchanged their experiences in working for ethnic minorities in mountain provinces, including Lao Cai and Kon Tum.

Poverty reduction, building houses for the poor and helping disadvantaged households and ethnic people develop economy were also the main focus of the discussion.

VFF Deputy Chairman Ha Van Nui said that taking care of ethnic and religious affairs is VFF’s most important task. He asked his staff to study the Party and State’s policies and the role of the VFF in the issues implement their responsibilities.

The EU diplomat informed a press briefing in Hanoi on January 11 that the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA), initialed in October of 2010, would be officially signed this year.
Doyle said the PCA will develop the existing institutional framework and increase dialogue and cooperation between the EU and Vietnam. It envisages a new forward-looking and modern agenda, reflecting the needs and interests of both Vietnam and the EU, and will be a powerful catalyst to bring the partnership to its full potential.
Negotiations on a bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) will be officially launched as soon as possible once preliminary technical preparations are completed.
In regard to Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Vietnam, the EU ambassador said the EU is interested in worldwide dissemination of Vietnam’s experiences in using the aid efficiently.  

He also made it clear that as Vietnam has moved into the group of middle income countries, the mechanism of ODA for Vietnam will be adjusted after 2013.
Laszlo Vizi, representative of the rotating presidency of EU ministers’ meetings (except foreign ministers) in the first six months of 2011, praised Vietnam for “successfully chairing a meeting of foreign ministers from the two continents” (ASEM) in 2009.
In 2010, the EU remained Vietnam’s biggest grant donor, second largest importer and a partner with the largest Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) commitment.
Vietnam’s export revenues to the EU increased by 15.9 percent year on year to almost 10 billion EUR in 2010 while EU commitments of FDI in Vietnam rose by more than six times over 2009.

The gate played an important role in taking advantages of both provinces’ potential, especially in welcoming international travellers, Deputy Chairman of the Long An provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Nguyen said.

The border gates were upgraded from the existing ones following the decisions of the Vietnamese and Cambodian governments.

The Binh Hiep border gate of Long An province, which connects to road number 314 of Svay Rieng province and the Asian transnational highway, is considered as a bridge to other countries in Southeast Asia.

President of OSPAAAL’s Vietnam Committee Pham Van Chuong reviewed the establishment of the organisation connecting Asian and African countries which fight colonialism for national independence with advanced movements in Latin America which struggle for freedom and democracy.

OSPAAAL has persistently supported the struggles of people in Asian, African and Latin American countries for their national and democratic rights, he said, adding that the organisation has put forward initiatives for solidarity and received strong support from countries of the three regions.

To Vietnam, OSPAAAL always offers warm support and solidarity, Mr Chuong said.
Cuaban Ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turroz Gonzalez said he hoped OSPAAAL would continue to unveil new initiatives and develop its role to strengthen solidarity and friendship between peoples of Africa, Asia and Latin America for peace, cooperation and development.