Viet Nam, Laos and Thailand to fight human trafficking

Vietnamese women met with representatives from Laos and Thailand to discuss human trafficking in central Quang Tri Province today, June 21.

The occasion was organised by World Vision Viet Nam and included representatives from Laos' Savannakhet, Thailand's Mukdahan and Vietnam's Quang Tri provinces.

According to the Vietnamese Ministry of Public Security, the country has so far uncovered 2,560 cases of human trafficking, involving 4,450 culprits and 5,750 victims, since 2005.

In particular, police recently apprehended trafficking rings that transported Vietnamese women to Cambodia and Thailand for prostitution. In the border province of Quang Tri, police found six rings trafficking 28 women and children to Laos and China.

The three provinces have been co-operating in raising awareness on the issue to help prevent and combat the problem.

The Women's Union of Quang Tri has also worked with border soldiers to run training courses for local people in communes and towns bordering Laos.

Local authorities have additionally set up 48 human trafficking prevention clubs that promote jobs for local women.

Participants at the event sought effective measures to improve co-ordination between the women's union and local police as well as co-operation amongst the three countries in raising public awareness.

The Union, alongside its counterparts from Laos and Thailand, also signed a memorandum of joint action against human trafficking.

Myanmar delegation visits Viet Nam today

A delegation from Myanmar's Upper House, led by its speaker Khin Aung Myint, is due to begin an official visit to Viet Nam today.
The planned four-day visit is made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Vice President boosts ties with Laos

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan expressed her belief that Vietnam and Laos will reach their goals in economic development, social security, hunger eradication and poverty reduction thanks to the two countries’ efforts and tight cooperation.

She made the statement during her meeting with Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone in Vientiane on June 19.

She expressed her pleasure at the great results achieved by Laos, and also informed the Lao leader of her discussions with Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachith on measures to strengthen the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Choummaly Sayasone highly valued Vietnam’s achievements in economic growth and political stability.

The two sides agreed that the two countries should boost cooperation on holding important events to celebrate the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2012.

On the same day, Doan had meetings with Chairman of the Laos-Vietnam Friendship Association Phankham Viphavan and former Politburo member cum former President of the Lao Front for National Construction Sisavath Keobounphanh.

Hungarian Ambassador receives Friendship Order

The outgoing Hungarian Ambassador, Vizi Laszlo, was awarded the friendship order for the contributions he has made to the friendly relationship between the two countries during his term in Vietnam.

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh presented the award to Vizi Laszlo in Hanoi on June 19. He praised the contributions the ambassador has made in promoting the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

At the ceremony, the ambassador said he feels honored to receive such a prestigious award and that it symbolises the friendship that lies between Vietnam and Hungary .

He added that he will do all he can to consolidate the friendship between both countries and will continue promote bilateral cooperation in the future.

Vietnamese Embassy in Russia holds media meeting

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia held a get-together on June 19 with journalists and  correspondents of Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV), Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and Vietnam Television (VTV) to mark the 87th anniversary of the Vietnam Revolutionary Press Day (June 21).

In his speech, Vietnamese ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son reviewed the path of development of the Vietnamese revolutionary press and highlighted the role journalists have played in the revolutionary cause.

Ambassador Son spoke highly of articles written by correspondents as well as their active participation in social activities to help overseas Vietnamese keep abreast of latest developments in the home country and integrate into the Russian community
Participants exchanged professional experiences and proposed measures to ensure the overseas Vietnamese are fully informed of the situation in the homeland.

President bids farewell to Australian ambassador

President Truong Tan Sang received Australian ambassador Allaster Cox who came to bid farewell at the end of his tenure in Hanoi on June 20.

He congratulated Cox on being awarded Vietnamese insignia for the cause of health care and education as well as the Friendship Order.

Sang said the decorations were in recognition of the ambassador’s great contribution to bilateral ties.

In response, Cox praised Vietnam’s development, especially in the fields of diplomacy, politics, infrastructure investment, education and healthcare, and he predicted greater development to come.

Vietnamese Party delegation visits Cambodia

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee’s (CPVCC) Commission for External Relations led by Deputy Director Nguyen Huy Tang is currently visiting Cambodia, from June 19-26.

At a reception given for the Vietnamese delegation on June 20, Cambodian Senator Sim Kar, who is also a member of the Cambodian People’s Party’s Standing Committee, said the delegation’s visit to Cambodia not only helps bolster understanding and solidarity between the two Parties but also contributes to the traditional friendship between the two Parties, States and peoples.

He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people for helping Cambodia to overcome the genocidal regime and start national construction and development.

Tang confirmed the Vietnamese Party and State’s policy of facilitating the development of the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia for the benefit of both peoples.

Earlier the same day, the Vietnamese delegation held talks with a delegation from the CPP Office and Commissions for External Relations and Popularisation and Education led by the Deputy Head of the CPP Office, Som Suon.

During the talks, both parties informed each other of their respective country’s situation and discussed how to consolidate and promote the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and countries as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern.

Both stated they will promote and step up cooperation between the CPP Office and Commissions for External Relations and Popularisation and Education and the CPVCC Commission for External Relations.

The Vietnamese delegation also met with CPP leaders in Mien Chay District, which is home to the largest number of overseas Vietnamese in Phnom Penh.

The delegation is scheduled to hold meetings with a number of Vietnamese businesses operating in Cambodia and CPP leaders from other parts of Cambodia.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA