President sends condolences following Indian earthquake

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday, Sep 20, sent condolences to his Indian counterpart Pratibha Devisingh Patil regarding the loss of life caused by the earthquake which ripped through India last Sunday.

The earthquake measured 6.9 on the Richter scale, killing more than 50 people and injuring hundreds in north-eastern India. 

Promoting Vietnam-UK relations effectively

Vietnam attaches importance to developing relations with the UK in all fields, particularly economics, trade, investment, education and training.

Deputy Chairman Phong highlighted the visit, saying it is of great importance for strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and the UK.

Ms Phong thanked the UK government for providing ODA funds to Vietnam for poverty reduction and drug prevention.

She affirmed that the Vietnam-UK  strategic partnership in many fields has been effectively promoted. Both sides have strengthened cooperation in recent times on national defence and security, environment protection and climate change.

She said that NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung will visit the UK in the future and added that, , both sides should promote economic and trade ties, as well as boost cooperation in education by sending Vietnamese English teachers to the UK for training opening schools in Vietnam and encouraging UK teachers to come teach in the country.

Both sides should share experiences to build the capacity of NA deputies,  enhance the State’s legislative and supervisory skills, and improve Government management.

Mr Hendrick expressed fine sentiments for Vietnam and its people and highlighted the country’s efforts in education, particularly its literacy rate of 95 percent, which is much higher than most nations around the world. 

Vietnam has also gained remarkable achievements in economic development and strengthened the UK-Vietnam friendship. Mr Hendrick added that, in the future, both sides should aim to strengthen the friendship and share experiences among their respective legislative bodies.

Meeting marks Brazil’s National Day

A meeting was organised in Hanoi on September 20 to mark the 189th anniversary of Brazil’s National Day (September 7).

The event was jointly held by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, the Vietnam-Brazil Friendship and Cooperation Association (VBFCA) and the Brazilian Embassy in Vietnam.  

Speaking at the meeting, VBFCA President Nguyen Van Lang reviewed the results of multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Brazil, with two-way trade reaching US$937 million in 2010. 

The figure is expected to exceed US$1 billion this year. 

He stressed that after one year of operation, the VBFCA has become a bridge for developing the friendship between the two countries’ people. 

Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Joao Mendoca Lima Neto expressed his belief that the bilateral ties will continue to grow and flourish.

On this occasion, the Brazilian Embassy introduced some paintings, photos, and art works on the land and people of Brazil.

Vietnam supports Palestinian UN membership

Vietnam backs Palestine’s efforts to become a member of the United Nations (UN) as soon as possible, said spokesman for the Vietnam Foreign Ministry (FM) Luong Thanh Nghi.

Mr Nghi made the statement on September 20 in response to reporters’ questions about Vietnam’s reaction to Palestine’s application for full UN membership.

Vietnam has recognized the Palestinian state since 1988 and has always supported regional and international efforts to establish an independent, sovereign Palestine, which can peacefully co-exist beside Israel based on the common borderline drawn before June 1967, said the FM spokesman.

Laos, Vietnam increase research cooperation

The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration and its counterpart in Laos Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration will boost cooperation in scientific research.

An agreement to this effect was signed in Vientiane, Laos, on September 20 in the presence of the directors of the two academies, Ta Ngoc Tan (Vietnam) and Kikeo Khamphanphithun (Laos).

The two sides will jointly research the project ‘Building a law governed state and developing socialist-oriented market economies in Vietnam and Laos’ to clarify theoretical and practical issues related to the topic.

The two academies will research the situation in their respective countries separately and then meet to exchange information and experiences to produce a final integrated report, which is scheduled to come out in mid 2013.

Deputy PM works with Southwestern region Steering Committee

Deputy Prime Minister Vu Van Ninh and a Government delegation worked with the Steering Committee for the Southwestern region on September 20 to discuss socio-economic tasks, national defense and security in the Mekong Delta region.

At the working session, Deputy Head of the steering committee, Nguyen Phong Quang, highlighted the socio-economic achievements in the Mekong Delta region over the past ten years.

The steering committee proposed policies for socio-economic development as stipulated in the Politburo’s Resolution 21 to ensure national defense and security in the region in the 2001-2010 period.

For example, major transport and irrigation projects have been implemented such as Can Tho airport and Can Tho  and Rach Mieu bridges, which have had a great impact on the region’s common development. 

Addressing the working session, Deputy PM Ninh highlighted the steering committee’s achievements in helping the Prime Minister devise important policies in all fields. The steering committee has played a key cooperative role for the provinces in the region, helping them attract sources of investment capital sources and promote the region’s socio-economic development.

The Deputy PM asked the steering committee to make breakthroughs in socio-economic infrastructure, devise measures to develop sustainable agriculture, and strengthen cooperation among provinces in the region.

Mr Ninh also emphasized that from now till the end of the year, it is important to implement the Government’s Resolution 11 and promote the region’s potential to both local and international visitors.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA