NA chairman receives EU, UK diplomats

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received outgoing Ambassador Sean Doyle, Head of the European delegation to Vietnam and Antony Stokes, Ambassador of the UK and Northern Ireland to Vietnam, in Hanoi on Oct. 18.

Chairman Hung thanked Doyle for his contributions to promoting Vietnam-EU relations, saying that bilateral relations have developed strongly, comprehensively and effectively during his term of office.

Hung said that the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) always treasures cooperation with the European Parliament and will do its utmost to foster the relationship in the future.

Doyle expressed his honour at receiving the Friendship Order, a noble reward of the Vietnamese State, and suggested that as a country of rich potential, Vietnam should popularise the images of its country and people to Europe.

Receiving Ambassador Stokes, Chairman Hung expressed his delight at the strong development of cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in the spirit of strategic partnership, saying that relations between the Vietnamese NA and UK Parliament are of extreme importance, contributing to the success of cooperative programmes between the two governments.

The Vietnamese NA leader thanked the UK and people for their support to Vietnam, especially official development assistance which is being used effectively in poverty reduction, healthcare and educational development, and administrative reform.

Expressing his sympathy over losses faced by the Vietnamese people during recent floods, as well as challenges in development due to impacts of the global economic downturn, Ambassador Stokes said that the UK will closely cooperate with Vietnam in settling these difficulties.

Stokes added that the UK government wants to cooperate with Vietnam in the field of defence, an important area within the framework of the strategic partnership, to contribute to fostering friendship between the two countries for peace and stability in the world.

NA second session focused on five bills

The second session of the 13th National Assembly will open in Hanoi on October 20 with a focus on approving five bills and a resolution.

This was announced at a press briefing held by the NA Office in Hanoi on October 19.

The week-long session is expected to adopt the laws on information security, archive, measurement, complaints and denunciation and a resolution on the 13th NA’s law and ordinance building program, as well as giving opinions on 13 other bills.

Regarding the socio-economic issues and supervision activities, the session will hear reports on the 2011-2015 socio-economic development plan, the implementation of socio-economic plans and State budget estimates for 2011.

The participants will decide on the socio-economic development orientation, as well as state budget estimates and allocations for 2012.

They will also spend two days and a half on question-and-answer session.

Speaking at the press briefing, Nguyen Hanh Phuc, Head of the NA Office said the NA aims to improve its operation by increasing time for open discussion and question-and-answer session.

South Korea, Japan set for summit to improve ties

Visiting Japanese Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda will hold summit talks later on Wednesday to try to ease strained relations with South Korea, and will return historic Korean books in a goodwill gesture.

Noda, making his first visit to Japan's former colony since taking office, was to meet President Lee Myung-bak after a visit to the national cemetery in Seoul.

Officials and media reports said possible renewed negotiations on a free trade deal, an increase in exchanges and North Korea's nuclear programme would be on the agenda.

More contentious issues may also be raised.

Lee and Noda will also discuss expanding a US$3 billion bilateral currency swap facility designed to bolster their financial markets from external shocks, a Korean government official told Dow Jones Newswires.

Japan has long pressed to reopen talks on a free trade pact with South Korea, especially in light of Seoul's agreements with the United States and the European Union.

On North Korea, Tokyo and Seoul see eye-to-eye.

They and Washington say Pyongyang must show it is serious about scrapping its atomic arsenal before six-party nuclear disarmament negotiations can resume.

The Korea JoongAng Daily said Noda's decision to pick Seoul as his first destination for a diplomatic tour "signifies the strategic importance of Korea and its high place on his agenda".

It called on Seoul's government to respond by closely weighing the pros and cons of a free trade agreement.

"A Korea-Japan FTA would carry great significance as it can mark a first step toward a bigger future: trilateral FTAs among Korea, Japan and China," the paper said.

Thailand helps Vietnam overcome flood aftermath

The Thai government has donated three million baht (worth US$100,000) to help the Vietnamese people get over the difficulties caused by the recent floods.

Thai Foreign Minister Surapong Tovichakchaikul handed a three million baht cheque to Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang on October 18.

Mr Tovichakchaikul also conveyed the Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra’s letter of sympathy to Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

VNN/AFP/VOV/VNS/VNA