Vietnam, Laos armies promote cooperation

The army delegations of Vietnam and Laos held talks in capital Vientiane on October 17 to strengthen bilateral ties.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Lieutenant General Ngo Xuan Lich, head of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).

Lt. Gen. Lich visited Star Telecom (Unitel) company in Laos. (Photo: QDND)

Lt. Gen. Saynhalat briefed his guests on Laos’ socio-economic development in 2009-2010 and the results of cooperation programs between the two General Departments in recent years.

He valued the implementation of a protocol between the two countries’ Ministries of National Defence on the exchange of delegations and provision of medical care services.

He noted with satisfaction the close coordination between the two armies in searching and repatriating remains of Vietnamese experts and volunteer soldiers who laid down their lives in Laos during wartime.

For his part, Lt. Gen. Lich hailed the results of cooperation between the departments and expressed his belief that the Vietnamese army delegation’s current visit will help strengthen the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between their departments as well as between Vietnam and Laos. 

Later Lt. Gen. Lich paid a courtesy visit to Senior Lt. Gen. Douangchay Phichith, Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence.

Torino city expects to strengthen ties with Vietnam

The Italian city of Torino wants to further step up cooperation with Vietnam in economics, culture and education.

The statement was made by Chairman of the Municipal Council, Giovani Ferraris, at a ceremony to erect President Ho Chi Minh’s statue at the Vietnamese Honorary Consulate in Torino on October 14, which was also attended by Vietnamese Honorary Consul Sandra Scagliotti.

The city’s authorities are willing to support and cooperate with the Vietnam Study Centre and the Vietnamese Honorary Consulate in activities to promote Vietnamese culture and raise understanding about Vietnam among the local people, Ferraris said.

He also said that the Italian people always show their respect for the late President Ho Chi Minh as well as sentiments towards the Vietnamese people.

On the evening of the same day, a concert was held under the baton of Enrico Intra, who organised a concert in 1962 to raise funds for Agent Orange/dioxin victims in Vietnam.

The Vietnam Study Centre in Torino has a library with about 4,000 books about Vietnam. This is the only library about Vietnam in Italy to help the Vietnamese community and the Italian people to study and learn about Vietnam as well as President Ho Chi Minh.

Vietnam, Cuba promote people-to-people exchanges

Friendship unions of Vietnam and Cuba will join hands to organise people’s friendship activities and serve as a bridge for cooperation between the two countries.

The agreement was reached at a recent working session in Havana between the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Cuban Institute for Friendship between Peoples (ICAP).

During the meeting, VUFO Vice President Nguyen Van Kien and ICAP Vice President Alicia Corredera committed to providing continued support to each other at international forums.

They informed each other of their organisation’s operations, especially preparations for the Asia-Pacific Regional Conference of Solidarity with Cuba to be held in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, in 2012, and shared experience in people-to-people diplomacy.

Kien emphasised the Vietnamese people’s consistent solidarity with their Cuban counterpart in the revolutionary cause, saying that the Vietnamese people have struggled to request the US Government to release five Cuban young patriots who are being detained in US prisons.

During its visit to Cuba from October 9-15 , the VUFO delegation was received by Oscar Marinez, Deputy Head of the Cuban Communist Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations.

Central Highlands area urged to lure investors

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has asked Dak Lak Province to co-ordinate with its neighbouring localities to develop the Central Highlands as a destination for domestic and foreign investors.

Hung made the request on Saturday at a working session with Dak Lak authorities to inspect how the Party and State's policies materialised for ethnic minority people and to prepare for the upcoming second session of the 13th National Assembly (NA).

The NA leader also asked the province to develop good planning and policies to turn the Central Highlands into a strong economic hub and to lay a firm foundation for ensuring national security and defence.

At the upcoming session, the NA would focus on more ways to improve living conditions for ethnic people in the Central Highlands, he said.

Hung said the NA would consider a resolution on policies for ethnic minority that would target bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, increasing the quality of human resources and taking advantage the potential of this important region.

Secretary of the Dak Lak provincial Party Committee Nie Thuat told the NA leader that the province's living conditions had been improving, with only two districts having poverty rate of more than 25 per cent at the end of 2010.

On the same day, Hung met with voters in Dung A and Dung B villages in Ea Khal Commune, E A H'Leo District.

Party leader visits China’s Shenzhen city

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on October 14 visited Shenzhen city as part of his official visit to China.

The Vietnamese Party leader met Shenzhen Party Secretary Wang Rong and offered his congratulations on Shenzhen’s achievements after 30 years of the renewal process, turning it into one of the most modern cities in China.

He affirmed that Shenzhen’s successes brought many precious experiences for Vietnam’s national modernization and development.

General Secretary Trong expressed his wish that along with the development of the two countries’ relations, friendship and cooperation between Vietnamese localities with Guangdong province, especially with Shenzhen city, will be constantly developed to harness advantages in geography to support each other for common development.

Shenzhen Party Secretary Wang said that Shenzhen is facing a number of problems arising during the development process like social management, raising the competitiveness of the economy and harmonious development. The city plans to focus on developing science and technology as new sectors to continue improving people’s living conditions.

The city will exert efforts to speed up cooperative projects and programmes with localities of Vietnam, Mr Wang said.

General Secretary Trong and his entourage visited an exhibition of achievements over the past 30 years of Shenzhen and Huawei telecom corporation.

Huawei’s technologies have been applied in more than 140 nations, serving one third of the world’s population and 45 out of 50 leading telecom providers. The corporation arrived in Vietnam 10 years ago and has offices in Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang.

The General Secretary said the success of Huawei is evidence of the achievements of China’s open door policy and hailed the corporation for cooperation with Vietnam while expressing his hope that it will continue boosting cooperation with Vietnam and assisting with training in information technology to contribute to strengthening the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.

On this occasion, Huawei signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam Post and Telecommunications Corporation to build an information communication technology centre. It also presented US$30,000 to the clean water programme in An Giang province of Vietnam.

The same day, General Secretary Trong and his entourage visited a residential quarter in Dong Guan city of Guangdong, a model for harmonisation of economic development, social welfare, environment and rural development. (VNA)

President Sang lauds Vietnam-Sri Lanka relations

President Truong Tan Sang has expressed his belief that his current visit to Sri Lanka will help deepen relations between the two countries.

In an interview granted to Sri Lanka’s Daily Financial Time on October 13, Mr Sang noted that both Vietnam and Sri Lanka have developed relations of traditional friendship and all-round cooperation for many years.

The Vietnamese people bear in mind Sri Lanka’s support in their past struggle for national independence and the present cause of national construction and development, said Mr Sang

The President expressed hope that his current visit will contribute to promoting mutual trust and understanding, and expanding cooperation in various areas, especially in economics, trade and investment.

He said the visit will also offer a chance for Vietnamese and Sri Lankan leaders to share experience in national development, exchange views on regional and international issues of mutual concern, and discuss measures to increase coordination in regional and international forums for peace, stability and common development.

Mr Sang noted that the friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and Sri Lanka have developed well in recent times. Politically, both countries have increased contact at all levels, while supporting and working closely with each other in international forums such as the United Nations, and Non-Aligned Movement (NAM).

Bilateral economic ties have grown and flourished with two-way trade increasing from US$30.1 million in 2000 to more than US$93 million in 2010. However, he said the results have not yet matched the two countries’ political relations and potential.

The President proposed that at the upcoming third session of the Vietnam-Sri Lanka Joint Commission to be held in Vietnam, both sides discuss specific cooperation areas to implement agreements to be signed during his visit.

Mr Sang reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of strengthening the fine traditional friendship and cooperative relations with Sri Lanka. Accordingly, political relations will be consolidated and developed through increasing the exchange of visits at all levels, including between their Party, State and people delegations. Both sides will continue to support each other in regional and international forums and increase cooperation in the fight against terrorism and organized crime.

Mr Sang confirmed that as both countries still hold great potential for promoting cooperation in economics, trade and investment, they should focus on areas of their strengths such as oil and gas, agriculture, fisheries, livestock breeding, education, culture, tourism and construction.

Both countries will strive to raise two-way trade value to US$500 million by 2015. Vietnam will increase its exports, mostly farm products, consumer goods, agricultural machinery, rubber, seafood, electronic products, and building materials, to Sri Lanka. It can also participate in infrastructure reconstruction, telecommunication and construction projects in Sri Lanka.

He said through his first-ever visit to South Asia, Vietnam wants to increase relations with regional countries, including Sri Lanka. He expressed optimism about bright prospects for further developing these relations and said he believes his visit will help boost the trustful and closer political relations between the two countries, increase cooperation in economics, trade and investment, and open up new opportunities for cooperation in other areas.

Sri Lanka hopes to strengthen ties with Vietnam

Sri Lanka attaches great importance to fostering friendship and cooperation with Vietnam, said President Mahinda Rajapaksa.

President Rajapaksa made the statement during talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang, who is currently making an official visit to the country.

Rajapaksa expressed his strong impressions of Vietnam’s rapid development during his visit to the country two years ago. He said he believes that Vietnam will gain greater achievements in its national construction and improve its status in the regional and international arenas.

For his part, President Sang congratulated Sri Lanka on its stability and affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of enhancing ties with the South Asian country.

Vietnam is willing to share experiences in the process of national reconstruction in the post war period, Mr Sang said.

Both Presidents reached a consensus to strengthen cooperation in oil and gas, agriculture, aquaculture, telecommunications, mechanics, security and national defence.

They also agreed to foster ties at regional and international forums such as the United Nations, the Non-Aligned Movement, and the South-South Cooperation.

Also at the meeting, the two state leaders witnessed the signing of eight cooperation documents including memoranda of understanding on mechanical manufacture, national defence cooperation, financial cooperation, bilateral political consultations between the two foreign ministries, bilateral investment encouragement, education, oil and gas, and a contract between the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group and its Sri Lankan counterparts.

Sri Lankan press highlights President’s visit

The Sri Lankan press has run articles on Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang’s State-level visit to the country from October 13-15.

The Sinhalaya News Agency and major newspapers such as Colombo Times, New.lk and LBO.lk all stressed that Mr’s Sang’s Sri Lanka visit, the first one made by a Vietnamese State President since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1970, will mark a milestone in bilateral relations and pave the way for the two countries to promote economic cooperation in the future.

According to the Sri Lankan Foreign Ministry, during the visit, the two sides are expected to sign a number of agreements and memoranda of understanding on cooperation in politics, national defence, investment, finance, education, training and mechanical engineering. (VNA)

Sympathy to Cambodia over flood consequences

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on October 14 sent a message of sympathy to his Cambodian counterpart, Hun Sen, over serious human and property losses caused by recent floods.

In his message, the Vietnamese Government leader expressed his belief that the Cambodian people, under the leadership of the Royal Government led by PM Hun Sen, will soon overcome the consequences of the natural disasters and stabilise their lives.

On the same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also offered sympathy to Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong.

Youth federation urged to promote members’ patriotism

The Vietnam Youth Federation (VYF) should continue raising its members’ political conscience, patriotism and awareness of their responsibility towards the country, said Vice Chairperson of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

NA Vice Chairperson Ngan made the request at celebration in Hanoi on October 14 to mark the VYF’s 55th anniversary. She asked all VYF members to actively contribute to boosting socio-economic development, ensuring social welfare, and making full use of voluntary campaigns.

She also highlighted the achievements made by the federation over the past 55 years and emphasized that Vietnamese Youth are always at the centre of the Party’s strategy to improve the quality of human resources.

To meet the requirements of the revolutionary cause, the Party plans to develop a force of patriotic young people who persist with the Party’s ideal and goal of national independence and socialism, Ms Ngan said.

Over the past 55 years, the VYF has united and encouraged tens of millions of members to take part in the revolutionary campaign and gain outstanding achievements in the past struggle for national independence and the present cause of construction and development.

In the current context, VYF’s movements and campaigns are also motivating young people to join hands to boost the nation’s socio-economic development.

On the occasion, the VYF Central Committee granted the "when the country needs" awards to outstanding individuals and organizations.

Ukraine delegation inquires about development model in Binh Duong

The Communist Party of Ukraine, led by First Secretary P. Simonenko, held a working session with the Party Committee of Binh Duong province on October 14.

At the meeting, the two sides shared experience in building Party organizations and developing modes of operation in private-and foreign-invested businesses. They also discussed means of supervision and the deployment of policies concerning the lives of workers.

Both confirmed that Vietnam and Ukraine have a strong traditional friendship and they need to continue developing this tradition for mutual benefit.

Also, on the occasion, the Ukrainian high-ranking delegation paid visits to My Phuoc industrial zone and Binh Duong city.

Ukrainian Communist Party leader visits Vietnam

The Communist Party of Ukraine has highly valued Vietnam’s renewal process and its great achievements recorded under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV).

First Secretary of the Communist Party of Ukraine P. Simonenko made this statement at a meeting in Ho Chi Minh City on Oct. 13 with Le Hoang Quang, Vice Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee and Chairman of the Municipal People’s Committee.

The Communist Party of Ukraine will study the application of Vietnam ’s experience and vivid realities, including valuable CPV lessons in terms of politics and socio-economic development, and include them in its action platform, Simonenko said.

He expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s impressive achievements in socio-economic development and said he believes Vietnam will see further development with its sound policies under CPV leadership.

The Communist Party of Ukraine wants to share developments experience with the CPV, said Mr. Simonenko.

Vice Secretary Quan stressed the need to build each strong party and continue to boost traditional friendship and cooperation between the two Parties and peoples.

During his visit to Vietnam, Simonenko is scheduled to visit several economic establishments and work with the Party Committees of Quang Ninh, Binh Duong provinces and Ho Chi Minh City. (PV)

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