PM Dung asks UK to support EU trade talks

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, June 12, expressed his hope that the UK would continue supporting Viet Nam's free trade negotiations with the EU.

He also wished for the UK's support for Viet Nam in important areas, particularly education and economy, during his meeting with British Minister of State for Trade and Investment Stephen Green.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and UK Minister of State for Trade and Investment Stephen Green. (Source: VNA)

At the meeting, Dung said he relished the visit of the UK trade head and noted that bilateral trade continued thriving, reaching nearly US$3.5 billion in 2012.

In addition, Dung said he hoped United Kingdom would continue supporting Vietnamese students by increasing scholarships and investing in bettering educational institutions in Viet Nam.

For his part, Green said the UK always considered its relations with Viet Nam to be strategically important and would focus on implementing effectively the commitments between the two governments, especially in investment, economy, trade and education and training.

He also hoped both sides would further co-operate in cultural exchanges.

President greets 21 new Vietnamese ambassadors

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday officiated the appointment of 21 new Vietnamese ambassadors and heads of Viet Nam's consular offices for the 2013-16 period.

At the event, Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Vinh thanked the Government and Party leaders for acknowledging the important work that foreign affairs staff were doing in promoting ties with Viet Nam's partners around the world.

Prior to their appointments, the new ambassadors and heads of consular offices met with ministries and various provinces and local authorities to learn about their need to speed up integration process.

Sang said Viet Nam had built great relations with other countries and the ambassadors and foreign affairs staff must strive hard to foster these relations in addition to strengthening Viet Nam's policies, such as in opening new export markets, raising FDI or protecting sovereignty.

Vietnam calls for peace, stability in East Sea

The maintenance of peace, security and cooperation for sustainable use and development of the East Sea on the basis of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) is of exceptional importance to coastal states, said Vietnam’s representative at a recent UN meeting.

Addressing the 23rd meeting of State Parties to the UNCLOS, which is taking place in New York from June 10-14, Vietnam’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Le Hoai Trung said most of the East Sea’s coastal states, including Vietnam, are developing countries and States Parties to the UNCLOS. Incomes generated from the use and exploitation of this sea make important contribution to the economies of these coastal states.

“Just like other regions of the world, in the East Sea, fishing is a traditional means of living of hundreds of millions of people, and many of them are the poor coastal communities. Providing safe and stable conditions for fishermen when they go out to the sea to earn for their living are responsibilities for all governments,” the ambassador said.

However, the Vietnamese diplomat noted that in recent years, the East Sea witnessed numerous incidents whereas fishermen, operating in their traditional fishing grounds, which may fall within persistent disputes on territorial and maritime entitlement, were harassed, arrested and detained or even became victims of the use of arms.

Therefore, he called on coastal nations, pending solutions for territorial and maritime disputes, to seriously abide by the Convention’s principles, including the negotiations for provisional arrangements for fishing activities and to ensure safety for fishermen.

“Conducting unilateral coercive actions, such as imposing fishing bans or using military or para-military ships to enforce the domestic laws in disputed areas shall only further complicate the situation, in contravention of the purposes and principles of the UNCLOS”, said Ambassador Trung.

The ambassador took the occasion to introduce Vietnam’s maritime law, which came into effect on January 1, 2013, affirming that its provisions are completely in line with the principles mentioned in the 1982 UNCLOS.

Vietnam lauds ASEAN’s role in fostering regional peace

ASEAN has been serving as one of the pivotal forces in promoting regional peace and stability by strengthening cooperation with its partners through the frameworks of ASEAN+1, ASEAN+3, the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

Lieutenant General Nguyen Dinh Chien, head of the Institute for Defence Strategy under the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence, made the remark at a two-day seminar which wrapped up on June 12 in Malaysia’s capital city of Kuala Lumpur.

In his report entitled “The central role of ASEAN in relations with major powers”, Chien said that the expansion of cooperation with big countries in the region will help ASEAN maintain a peaceful and stable environment as well as consolidate cooperation and trust among its members in the fields of politics and security.

This contributes to promoting the trend of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and creating new practical relations between ASEAN and major powers in the spirit of friendship, long-lasting stability and comprehensive cooperation in a closer manner, both bilaterally and multilaterally, he added.

The Track II Network of ASEAN Defence and Security Institutions (NADI) seminar drew the participation of nearly 50 delegates from 10 ASEAN member countries.

Themed “National security and Development: Foundation for ASEAN Community”, the event, held by the Malaysian Institute for Defence and Security, created an opportunity for ASEAN scholars to share experience and put forth new initiatives to effectively address newly emerging security challenges in the region.

The gravity of discussions was put on such matters as security and development in ASEAN, defence and security cooperation as well as current and future threat to ensuring security and stability in the region.

VN, Indonesia seek joint opportunities

The second Indonesia – Viet Nam Trade, Tourism and Investment Forum will begin on Thursday in HCM City.

The two-day event is organised by the Indonesian Embassy in Ha Noi, the Indonesian Consulate General in HCM City, and the Viet Nam Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

With the theme, "Indonesia – Viet Nam: Partnership for Prosperity", the forum is expected to attract 250 companies from both countries. High-ranking dignitaries from Indonesia and Viet Nam will also attend.

This year's forum will include a panel discussion, a break-out session about trade, investment and tourism, one-on-one business meetings, and an Indonesian product exhibition.

Among the topics will be the implementation of a Plan of Action, particularly the targeted bilateral trade volume of US$5 billion by 2015.

An evening Gala Dinner and a charity dinner will present Indonesian artists performing traditional dances and folk songs. Also included will be a heritage batik fashion show, a contemporary band and an Angklung orchestra.

Ticket proceeds from the charity dinner will be donated to vulnerable groups of society.

The first event was held last year in Ha Noi.

Vietnam, Cambodia further military cooperation

A high-ranking leader from Vietnam’s army has stated that the Vietnamese government, army and people always attach great importance to developing solidarity with their Cambodian counterparts.

Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Sen.Lt.Gen Do Ba Ty, made the assertion upon receiving General Mom Som, the Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces, in Hanoi on June 11.

During the reception, Ty praised the outcomes of a working session between General Mom Som and the office of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, and suggested the two sides continue to enhance their friendly relationship.

He recommended that both countries press ahead with communication campaigns raising soldiers’ and officers’ awareness of the significance and importance of the traditional friendship and the comprehensive long-standing cooperation between the two neighbours.

The Cambodian General agreed with this suggestion and expressed his belief that the ties between the two armies and peoples will develop further in the time to come.

VNN/VNS/VNA