NA Chairman receives AIA President

On May 30 the National Assembly’s Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received Mark Edward Tucker, the Executive Director and President of AIA Group, in Hanoi.

At the reception, Hung praised AIA, a leading life insurance company in the Asia-Pacific region, for its community activities in Vietnam.

Vietnam still holds a lot of potential for the insurance sector, especially life insurance, as insurance services have only been available in the country for a few years, he said.

According to the country’s top legislator, since it took effect in April 2001, the Insurance Business Law has created a legal framework for insurance businesses to develop in a strong and sustainable manner.

He said he hopes that AIA will continue with its community activities and provide an even better service for customers.

The AIA President replied by saying that the group always attaches a great deal of importance to the Vietnamese market and its products are in the best interests of the Vietnamese people.

AIA constantly adds to its insurance products to contribute to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, he added.
Condolences to Italy over earthquake

President Truong Tan Sang has extended sympathy to Italian President Giorgio Napolitano over the loss of lives and property caused by the recent earthquake.

In his message dated May 31, he also conveyed his deepest condolences to the Italian people and families of the victims.

President Sang expressed his belief that Italy and the Italian people will soon overcome difficulties and restore their normal life.

The 5.8 magnitude earthquake shook Emilia Romagna region in northern Italy on May 29, claiming at least 16 lives.
Hanoi meeting marks Italy’s Republic Day

A meeting was held in Hanoi on May 30 to mark Italy’s 66th Republic Day of June 2.

On addressing the event, the Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Le Vinh Thu sent his congratulations to Italian Ambassador to Vietnam Lorenzo Angeloni.

He said he is pleased that friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Italy are constantly growing stronger.

On bilateral economic cooperation, two-way trade between Vietnam and Italy rose from 1.5 billion USD in 2009 to 2.5 billion USD in 2011. Investment, official development assistance and joint initiatives in culture and sports have also increased.

Regarding the recent earthquake that shook northern Italy , Thu said he believes that the Italian government and its people will overcome the devastation and record even greater achievements in the future.

Ambassador Angeloni said he hopes that the Italian embassy in Hanoi will liaise more with the Vietnam-Italy Friendship Association to help Vietnamese people understand more about Italian culture and art and provide Italian people with more information about Vietnam and its people.

Austria, Vietnam explore potential for education cooperation

Vietnam and Austria will expand cooperation in tertiary education, science, and technology, according to a joint forum held in Ho Chi Minh City on May 31.

Participants in the event included Austrian President Heinz Fischer, Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan, and leaders of many ministries and scientists from both sides.

Both Fischer and Nhan affirmed the importance of science and research in bilateral cooperation.

Nhan said Vietnam considers education and technology a key to making a breakthrough in national development until 2020.

He added that the country’s tertiary education strategy will focus on quality, international cooperation, research, and changing the management and administration mechanism within universities and colleges, aiming to create high-quality human resources for national development.

Vietnamese Minister of Science and Technology Nguyen Quan said Vietnam attaches great importance to scientific and technological cooperation with Austria.

He said his ministry and the Austrian counterpart signed a memorandum of understanding on science and technology in late 2011.

At the forum, the two ministries officially announced the program supporting bilateral research cooperation from 2012 to 2015. Accordingly, scientists from Austria and Vietnam will benefit from financial assistance in the fields of internet security, smart traffic, and renewable energy.

** The same day, the Austrian President was received by Ho Chi Minh City Mayor Le Hoang Quan, who introduced the city as a leading culture, education, and technology centre of Vietnam.

HCM City is now home to about 100 universities and colleges and dozens of research institutes, which promote the country’s development and international integration, Quan said.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA