President sends condolence over Tanzanian ferry disaster

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday sent his condolences to Tanzanian counterpart Jakaya Mrisho Kikwete, expressing his sympathies over the loss of 200 lives in a ferry accident off the Tanzanian island of Zanzibar on September 10.

US senator praises VN on gender equality during visit

US Senator Lisa Brown praised Viet Nam's achievements in implementing its gender equality policy at a meeting with Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, National Assembly deputy chairwoman, in Ha Noi yesterday, Sep 14.

At the reception, Ngan welcomed female leaders from Washington to Viet Nam, expressing her hope that the delegation would serve as a bridge between Vietnamese and American women in sharing opinions and strengthening co-operation in gender equality.

Ngan said that the Vietnamese Government had approved a national strategy on gender equality in 2010 with the aim of narrowing the gender gap in economics, politics, labour and employment, as well as encouraging women to undertake management positions.

For her part, Brown congratulated Viet Nam on its successful organisation of the 13th National Assembly elections, which produced a high number of female deputies (accounting for 24.4 per cent).

She confirmed that her visit was aimed at enhancing understanding of gender equality and seeking development opportunities for not only US women, but those from the wider world.

The Senator expressed her wish that both US and Vietnamese women continue sharing experiences based on women's health issues as well as protecting women and children's rights.

Viet Nam, India hold sixth strategic defence dialogue

The Sixth Vietnamese-Indian Strategic Defence Dialogue was held in the capital yesterday.

Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh and Indian Defence Secretary Shashi Kant Sharma co-chaired the event.

The two sides agreed that relations between Viet Nam and India were entering a new stage of development, intensifying across various fields.

Vietnam highly values WB assistance

The Vietnamese Government highly values recommendations and aid that the World Bank (WB) has provided for Vietnam, especially for poverty reduction programmes and projects. 

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh affirmed this at a reception for WB Country Director in Vietnam Victoria Kwakwa in Hanoi on September 14. 

Mr. Ninh appreciated the WB cooperation, support and assistance for Vietnam, which has helped the country overcome difficulties caused by the impacts of the world economic downturn. 

The immediate goal of the Vietnamese Government is to curb inflation, stabilise the macroeconomy and ensure social welfare through the effective implementation of specific measures in its Resolution No. 11, the Deputy PM said. 

He said he hopes that the WB will continue its support for Vietnam by providing policy consultancy on macroeconomic stabilisation, technical assistance in public debt management, especially WB loans for investment in essential infrastructure projects. 

Victoria Kwakwa highly valued the close coordination between the Vietnamese Government and the WB in implementing the bank’s operations in the country. 

She said although the Vietnamese Government’s measures have proven effective, the country is still facing many challenges on the road to attaining middle and long-term objectives. 

As a development partner of Vietnam, the WB pledges continued support for Vietnam in achieving its objectives, as well as economic and financial reforms, she affirmed.

The armies of the two countries have developed mutual trust and understanding, creating new momentum to effectively develop friendship and cooperation in the training of naval, air force and defence industry staff.

Both sides agreed on measures aimed at boosting defence cooperation through the exchange of delegations and information, training and information technology.

Parties shared experiences of participating in UN peacekeeping missions and views on the implementation of multilateral defence relations signed at the first ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) in Ha Noi in 2010.

Vietnam respects all decisions by Libyan people

The Vietnamese delegation to the United Nations handed over its diplomatic note on September 14 in recognition of the National Transitional Council of Libya (NTC) taking over Libya’s seat at the United Nations General Assembly.

The statement was made on September 14 by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry Spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi.

Nghi said Vietnam respects all decisions made by the Libyan people and hopes the process of power transfer in Libya will take place smoothly, ensuring the independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity of the North African country.

Vietnam expects that the NTC and Libyan political forces will take effective measures to soon resume peace and stability in the country, and hold a general election for a government of national reconcile and harmony which represents the will and interests of the entire Libyan people, said the diplomat.

Vietnam wishes to cooperate with the new government in an effort to boost the ties of friendship between the two countries, spokesman Nghi said, adding that Vietnam is ready to take part in the reconstruction of Libya within its capabilities.

Vietnamese, French communist parties strengthen cooperation

The National Secretary of the French Communist Party Pierre Laurent received a high-ranking delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam in France on September 14.

Mr Laurent highlighted Vietnam’s participation in the L’Humanite festival to be held at La Courneuve Park on the northern outskirts of Paris from September 16-18.

He said that the invitation of Vietnam to the economic space of the festival is of great significance in preparation for exchange activities next year to mark the 40^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.

The L’Humanite newspaper also offered an opportunity for the French Communist Party to improve its status and role in the French Presidential Election in 2012.

For his part, Editor-in-chief of Nhan Dan Newspaper, member of the Party Central Committee Thuan Huu thanked the French Communist Party for receiving the delegation, and emphasized the special relationship between the two countries.

He expressed delight at cooperative relations between the two communist Parties which have made remarkable progress in recent years, especially since Mr Laurent’s visit to Vietnam last April.

He wished to further develop the effective and close relationship between the two communist parties through regular exchange of high-level visits, especially the relationship between the L’Humanite and Nhan Dan Newspaper.

He said the French Communist Party will actively contribute to promoting mutual understanding among investors of the two countries to promote French investment in Vietnam.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA