Deputy PM welcomes Venezuelan Vice-Foreign Minister

Vietnam will provide concrete guidance to relevant ministries and agencies in implementing joint cooperation with Venezuela in industry, energy, agriculture and training as planned, said Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

He made the statement at a reception for Venezuelan Foreign Relations Vice-Minister for Asia, the Middle East and Oceania, Davis Velasquez Caraballo in Hanoi on August 14.

He said Vietnam and Venezuela have seen strong developments in friendship and comprehensive cooperation in politics-diplomacy, trade, investment, energy, oil and gas, culture and education, especially the practical and strategic progresses in such joint projects as Junin 2 oil and gas block and Dien Quang light bulbs.

Both sides have conducted regular exchanges of high-ranking visits, particularly during the second meeting of the joint governmental committee in Venezuela in April, Mr Hai said.

Vice Minister Caraballo said he hopes that the two countries will make more efforts to boost cooperation in investment in industry, agriculture, tourism and telecommunications.

The two sides also agreed to support each other at international multilateral forums as a positive contribution to protecting their legitimate rights for the sake of the two countries’ development.

Lao Party leader supports strong ties with Vietnam

Lao Party General Secretary Choummaly Sayasone has voiced his strong support for measures the two governments will take to raise bilateral trade to US$1 billion this year and US$2 billion in 2015.

Comprehensive cooperation in various areas, including trade, will help strengthen Laos-Vietnam relations sustainably and substantially, Sayasone told Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in Vientiane on August 14.

Deputy PM Phuc has been in Laos for the mid-term meeting of Vietnam-Laos sub-committees for cooperation.

Sayasone, who is also Lao State President, welcomed the results of the meeting and said both sides have carried out practical activities and key projects during the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2012 to bring their relationship to new heights.

Phuc, who is head of the Vietnam-Laos sub-committee for cooperation, briefed his host on measures the two governments have agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in economics, trade, investment, education, culture and human resources development.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen exchanges between ministries, departments and localities.

The Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy PM Phuc also met with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong on the same day.

*** President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee Phanduongchit Vongsa presented Laos’ Itsala Orders to organizations and individuals of the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA).

The LFNC also conferred insignias on 20 GCRA officials on the occasion.

Speaking at the ceremony in Hanoi on August 14, the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs and Head of the GCRA, Pham Dung, said the GCRA attaches great importance to strengthening ties with the LFNC, and their cooperation has fostered traditional ties of friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and nations.

Indian National Day celebrated in Hanoi, HCM City

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) held a meeting in Hanoi on August 14 to mark the 65th anniversary of India’s Independence Day (August 15).

At the meeting, President of the Vietnam – India Friendship Association Hoang Van Phong stressed that India’s victory 65 years ago strongly encouraged revolutionary movements for national independence, peace and development in Asia, as well as in the world.

Phong and Indian Ambassador Ranjit Rae reviewed the traditional friendship between Vietnam and India, which was initiated by late President Ho Chi Minh and late Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, and has been significantly developed since July 2007 when the two countries established a strategic partnership.

They expressed their belief that the Vietnam-India ties will reap further excellent rewards, based on their achievements over the past 40 years.

A similar meeting was also held at the Friendship House in Ho Chi Minh City.

Both countries are striving to hit US$7 billion in two-way trade by 2015. Currently, 82 Indian funded projects are operating in Vietnam with total investment of more than US$806 million, mainly in fuel, iron and steel, spices, medicines, sugar and consumer goods.

Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits Cambodia

Vietnam always attaches great importance to strengthening ties with neighbouring Cambodia for the benefit of the two nations, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on August 14.

The statement was made when the Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister made a courtesy visit to Cambodian Standing Deputy Prime Minister, Men Som An.

Phuc, member of the Politburo of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is heading a delegation officially visiting Cambodia at the invitation of Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Ke Kim Yan from Aug. 14 to 16.

Phuc emphasised that the traditional friendship between the two countries has been built-up by the contributions of martyrs who sacrificed their lives for the benefits of the two nations.

Speaking highly of the efforts by the Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship Association, Phuc expressed his hope that the association would continue playing its role in consolidating the good relationship between the two neighbours.

On her part, Cambodian Standing Deputy Prime Minister Men Som An reaffirmed that the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries is a valuable asset and should be brought into play in all areas.

Men Som An, who is also chairwoman of the Cambodian-Vietnamese Friendship Association, expressed her thanks for the contributions of the Communist Party of Vietnam, the State and people in helping Cambodian people escape from the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime, as well as in the rebuilding and development of Cambodia recently.

On the same day, Phuc visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia. He urged the embassy’s staff to continue playing an active role in promoting the friendly relations with Cambodia in all fields.

Previously, Phuc had laid a wreath at the Vietnamese Volunteer Soldiers’ Monument in the capital city of Phnom Penh.

Deputy PM hails KPMG contributions

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh has acknowledged contributions made by KPMG to the country’s development in the audit, tax and advisory services.

During his meeting with Michael J. Andrew, Global Chairman of KPMG International, in Hanoi on August 14, the Deputy PM highly valued the early presence of the group in Vietnam.

He briefed Michael Andrew on Vietnam’s economic-financial development, saying that during this year and several years to come, the Government will pursue its targets of curbing inflation and maintaining macro-economic stability and appropriate growth, which will serve sustainable development in the following years.

Michael Andrew stressed Vietnam’s potential in Southeast Asia, saying that KPMG continues committing its long-term presence, renewing technology and improving the quality of human resources to providing its leading audit, tax and advisory services to Vietnamese firms as well as foreign investors.

KPMG International is one of global networks of professional service firms providing audit, tax and advisory services. It operates in 152 countries with more than 145,000 people working in its member firms around the world.

KPMG Vietnam was established in 1994.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA