PM meets voters at HCM City National University

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung met with voters from Ho Chi Minh City National University on October 21 to hear their opinions on education, training and socio-economic development.

The voters, who are lecturers and students, said they believe the Party, State, National Assembly and Government are determined to control inflation, maintain economic growth, and ensure social security and national defence.

They asked the Government to give more empowerment to HCM City National University and construct a special mechanism allowing to pilot new educational methods.

The voters also gave their opinions on amendments to the Anti-Corruption Law, the country’s sovereignty, and public servant salaries and living conditions.

At the meeting, PM Dung briefed them on the country’s socio-economic development, stating that the country recorded 4.73 percent economic growth in the first nine months of this year and the consumer price index in the reviewed period rose 5.13 percent. The number of poor households is predicted to fall this year by 1.76 percent.

He also said 1.13 million new jobs were created from January to September, an increase of 0.27 percent compared to same period last year.

However, five of the 15 goals set for this year have not yet been met.

According to the PM, maintaining macro-economic stability with lower inflation and higher economic growth will most likely be the overall goal for next year.

The country will accelerate three strategic breakthroughs in addition to restructuring the economy and shifting the growth model.

Praising the voters’ proposal of a mechanism for the university, the PM emphasised that improving the educational system is one of three breakthroughs to promote the country's sustainable development. He asked the university to devise a plan for the mechanism and submit it to the Government for approval as soon as possible.

In regard to voter proposals for combating corruption, PM Dung affirmed that the Government has resolved to drive back corruption according to the resolution adopted at the 11th Party Central Committee (PCC) fourth plenum.

The PM noted that raising community responsibility, combined with the efforts of the Government and State to ensure decent living standards and incomes for State employees, is the best way to combat corruption.

The same day, Dung also attended a ceremony to start the new school year of HCM City National University.

Military delegation visits Russia

A high-ranking military delegation from the Vietnam People’s Army left Hanoi on October 20 for an official visit to Russia.

Chief of the General Staff and Deputy Minister of National Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty, led the delegation.

The visit is being made at the invitation of Russian Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces and first Deputy Minister of Defence, General Makarov Nikolai Egorovich.

It aims to strengthen the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership between the two armies and peoples, and foster links for military and technological cooperation.

Algeria, Vietnam mark diplomatic ties

A ceremony was held at the Vietnamese Embassy in Algeria to mark the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

The event was attended by Vietnamese and Algerian diplomats, ambassadors from other countries, representatives from the Algeria-Vietnam Friendship Association, and officials from both sides.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Do Trong Cuong affirmed that the two countries have supported each other in their past struggles for independence and freedom, as well as during their ongoing processes of national development.

Bilateral ties have developed continually in various fields, especially after Algerian President Abdelaziz Bouteflika visited Vietnam in 2000 and President Nguyen Minh Triet visited Algeria in 2010.

A traditional Vietnamese martial art (Vovinam) tournament for the first Ambassador's Cup was also held in the Algerian capital Algiers on October 19 to celebrate Vietnam-Algeria diplomatic ties.

The competition drew the participation of 582 athletes from 81 teams in 19 provinces and cities across Algeria who competed in both performance and combat events.

Vietnam, Laos political academies boost cooperation

Laos’ Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavath hosted a reception for a high-ranking delegation from the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics-Public Administration in Vientiane on October 19.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation Ta Ngoc Tan, who is Party Central Committee member and the academy’s director, said that the visit aims to strengthen cooperation with the Lao National Academy of Politics-Public Administration (NAPPA).

He expressed his thanks to the two countries’ leaders for facilitating the cooperation between the two academies, which brings about fruitful results and contributes to celebrating the 2012 Vietnam-Laos Solidarity and Friendship Year.

On his part, the Lao Deputy PM thanked Vietnam’s State, Party, people and the Ho Chi Minh political academy for their support to Laos, especially in political theory training.

He also highly valued the results of the two academies’ cooperation over the past time, and urged the two sides to continue strengthening experience exchange and cooperation in personnel training and scientific research.

The same day, by authorisation of President Truong Tan Sang, Tan presented Vietnam’s Independence Order, first class, to the NAPPA; the Independence Order, second class, to NAPPA Director Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun.

Also on Oct 19, the Vietnamese delegation attended a ceremony to hand over a new facility for the Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, built with non-refundable aid from Vietnam.

The facility, the second phase of a project on upgrading teaching and working conditions for the Lao academy, includes a main building with 32 classrooms and staff rooms as well as a 62-room dormitory sitting on a site of 3,000 sq. m.

VNN/VOV/VNA