New model for Vietnam-Bulgaria ties developed

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan has urged Bulgaria’s agencies to work closely with their Vietnamese counterparts to sign an agreement for a new economic cooperation model in 2012.

Speaking at an October 18 reception for Bulgarian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance Simeon Diankov in Hanoi, Nhan welcomed the results of Diankov’s working session with Minister of Defence Phung Quang Thanh, Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue, Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan, and Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Hoang Tuan Anh.

He said he will request the relevant ministries and agencies to implement agreements that were signed in the meetings.

Highlighting the relationship between Vietnam and Bulgaria, the Deputy PM expressed his confidence in the new cooperation model, under which Vietnam’s raw products will be shipped to Bulgaria for direct processing before export to other European countries.

The new model will provide fresh impetus for lifting economic, trade, and investment ties between the two nations, Nhan said, raising the potential for mutual benefits to new heights.

He also asked the Bulgarian side to continue assisting Vietnam in sports activities through the provision of training courses.

Deputy PM Diankov said Bulgaria will shortly implement the cooperation agreements they reached and confirmed Bulgaria wants to expand cooperation with Vietnam in a variety of fields.

Diankov said he hopes Vietnam will organise cultural events including a pottery exhibition and a traditional art exhibition in Sofia as soon as possible.

Vietnam, Russia to upgrade military, technical links

Russia will upgrade military and technical cooperation with Vietnam to a new qualitative level, as suggested by President Vladimir Putin.

Vyacheslav Dzirkaln, Deputy Director of the Russian Federal Services for Military-Technical Cooperation and head of the Russian Sub-Committee under the Vietnam – Russia Inter-Governmental Committee on Military-Technical Cooperation, made the statement at the committee’s 14 th meeting in Moscow on October 18.

Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lt. Gen Truong Quang Khanh, head of the Vietnamese sub-committee, said the bilateral cooperation is effectively helping Vietnam improve its defence capability as well as safeguard its national security and sovereignty, for peace and stability in the region.

The two sides highlighted the fine growth of the Vietnam – Russia military and technical cooperation over the past time, saying that it matches the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, the development of which was agreed upon during the July visit to Russia by President Truong Tan Sang.

San Marino keen to cement ties with Vietnam

The Foreign Minister of San Marino has said she hopes that Vietnam and San Marino will strengthen their friendship further and cooperate more in the future, first of all through an early signing of an agreement on double taxation avoidance.

While receiving Vietnam’s Ambassador Nguyen Hoang Long on October 17, after he had presented his credentials to co-heads of State, Teodoro Lonfernini and Denise Bronzetti, Minister Antonella Mularoni said that Vietnam holds an increasingly important position in the region and the world, thanks to active international cooperation and integration.

She said that many countries appreciate Vietnam’s involvement in addressing many global issues such as disarmament, adapting to climate change and reducing poverty.

Long, who is also Vietnam’s Ambassador to Italy, stated that he will do his utmost to strengthen and consolidate the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and San Marino.

Later the same day, the ambassador met with senior officials from San Marino’s Foreign Ministry, who suggested beginning negotiations for an agreement on investment protection and encouragement as this is essential for fostering investment and trade ties between both countries.

Vietnam established diplomatic ties with San Marino, one of the smallest countries in the world, in 2007.

Audit cooperation with Laos to be strengthened

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met visiting Lao State Audit Organisation (LSAO) Chair Viengthong Siphandone in Hanoi on October 18, expressing his delight at the fine cooperation between the two countries’ audit offices.

Hung applauded Siphandone’s visit, which is taking place when Vietnam and Laos are carrying out various practical activities to celebrate the 50 years of their bilateral diplomatic ties.

He suggested that the audit offices of Vietnam and Laos further strengthen cooperation to match the special relationship and comprehensive cooperation between two Parties, States, and peoples.

Viengthong Siphandone briefed his host on the outcomes of the working session between the two offices, targeting further cooperation in the future.

She thanked the National Assembly and the State Audit of Vietnam for their close coordination and assistance in personnel training, as well as equipment and technology support, and expressed his hope to receive further help in the future.

Vietnam ready to help Laos in mass mobilization

The Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) is willing to cooperate with the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC), especially in the sharing of experiences in mass mobilisation work, for the stability and development of the two countries.

VFFCC Vice President-cum-General Secretary Vu Trong Kim made the statement at a reception in Hanoi on October 18 for Buavon Onchanhom, who is on a visit to Vietnam to attend a training course on mass mobilisation work, jointly organised by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation and Commission for External Relations from Oct. 9-21.

Kim said the course is a significant activity while Vietnam and Laos are celebrating the 50 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and 35 years of the signing of the Vietnam – Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

He also suggested the two fronts increase the public awareness to strengthen bilateral traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kaysone Phomvihane, together with generations of the two countries’ leaders.

The Lao official informed the host of the outcomes of the course, including fact-finding trips to Ninh Binh, Hung Yen and Quang Ninh to share experiences in ethnic and religious affairs, personnel work and democracy at the grassroots level.

VNN/VOV/VNA