Australian parliament speaker begins Vietnam visit

The Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives, Anna Burke, starts her three-day official visit to Vietnam on May 22 at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

Her visit from May 22-24 is central to commemorations marking the 40 th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Australia and Vietnam and forms part of high level exchanges under the Comprehensive Partnership signed in September 2009.

Vietnam keen on Japan’s development experience

A senior official of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) has stressed the importance of learning from Japan’s experience, especially in high-quality human resources training.

At the reception. (Source: VNA)

To Huy Rua, Politburo member and Head of CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Organisation, told a delegation of senior Japanese experts on May 21 that Japan’s collaboration in this field manifests its practical support to Vietnam’s industrialisation and modernization.

The nation has set a target to become a modern-oriented industrialised nation by 2020.

The Japanese delegation, led by Head of Japan’s Human Resources Development Bureau Yosida Kozo, is on a visit to Vietnam to cooperate with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration in training managerial staff.

The Party, State and people of Vietnam always treasure and wish for growing development with Japan, Rua said, adding that Kozo’s visit is a practical activity to celebrate the Vietnam–Japan 2013 Friendship Year and the 40 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

Kozo affirmed that Japan attaches importance to developing ties with Vietnam, which would contribute to deepening the Vietnam–Japan strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia.

He expressed his wish to further advance Japan–Vietnam ties in the future.

Vietnam, Swaziland establish diplomatic ties

Representatives of Vietnam and Swaziland have signed an agreement on establishing diplomatic ties at the ambassadorial level.

The document was signed in New York on May 21 by Le Hoai Trung, ambassador and permanent representative of Vietnam to the UN, and Zwelethu Mnisi, ambassador and permanent representat5ive of Swaziland to the UN.  

Both diplomats hailed the significance of the event and expressed hopes that Vietnam and Swaziland will develop mutually beneficial relations, while making a significant contribution to consolidating peace and security in Asia, Africa and the rest of the world.

They agreed to exchange diplomatic representatives at the ambassadorial level and fully observe the 1961 Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations.  

Swaziland is located in South Africa, bordering Mozambique and South Africa. It gained independence in 1968.

The country has an area of 17,360 square kilometres with a population of more than 1 million. Its natural resources include asbestos, coal, gold and diamond.

VFF leaders extend greetings to Buddhist dignitaries

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Lam on May 21 visited and extended his greetings to Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue, Patriarch of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha’s Patronage Council, at Vien Minh Pagoda in Phu Xuyen District, Hanoi on the occasion of Lord Buddha’s 2,557th birthday.

Lam conveyed his wish for peace and happiness to the Patriarch and the Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers on the occasion.

He stressed that the recent successful 7 th National Congress of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will pave the way for the Sangha to continue strengthening its organisation.

The VFF Central Committee highly values the contributions of the Vietnamese Buddhist dignitaries, monks, nuns and followers to the successful implementation of the national socio-economic and cultural development tasks, helping ensure political security, social order and safety, national sovereignty and territorial integrity, and strengthening national solidarity.

Lam expressed his belief that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will continue promoting its role as a VFF member to positively participate in VFF patriotic movements, while building on its tradition of “protecting the nation and solace for the people”, practically contributing to strengthening the national unity bloc.

Most Venerable Thich Pho Tue thanked the VFF, affirming that the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha will further its efforts to contribute to happy and peaceful lives for people, while guiding its followers to fulfil their duties as citizens and adhere to all State policies and laws.

On the occasion, a broad range of activities to celebrate the anniversary of Buddha’s birth took place in many localities nationwide.

HCM City officials visit Laos

The Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and member of Party Central Committee, Le Hoang Quan and other municipal officials are visiting neighbouring Laos.

During the visit, which began on May 20, HCM City officials will have a working session with Huaphane provincial authorities and attend a ceremony to hand over the headquarters of Huaphane provincial administration.

They will pay a courtesy visit to leaders of the capital city of Vientiane and offer incense at the memorial dedicated to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and the other to Lao martyrs.

Viet Nam-France relations edge closer

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, May 21, hailed Viet Nam's valued relationship with France and declared that the two nations are making efforts to develop their ties to the strategic partnership level in 2013.

The PM made the comments at a meeting with the former French Prime Minister Dominique de Villepin, who is on an official working visit to the country.

Dung declared Viet Nam's support for French businesses investing in the country.

He also requested that France continues supporting Viet Nam in its efforts to finalise negotiations and sign a Free Trade Agreement with the European Union.

The PM also expressed his hope that France would support Viet Nam's stance that all East Sea-related issues must be settled through peaceful measures, based on international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of Sea.

De Villepin emphasised the fact that relations between Viet Nam and France exist across various fields including politics, education, science and technology and the economy.

He agreed that the potential for a strategic partnership agreement made this year particularly important and announced that many French businesses are looking for opportunities to invest in Viet Nam in the fields of traffic infrastructure, energy, water supply and drainage and education and training.

Additionally, de Villepin outlined France's high hopes for Dung's forthcoming visit to Paris this year to seal the strategic partnership.

France is currently the second biggest European investor in Viet Nam and it is the country's third biggest trade partner, with their two-way trade turnover reaching $3.2 billion last year.

De Villepin's visit is being made on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of the establishment of the two countries' diplomatic ties this year.

On the same day, de Villepin held meetings with Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Huy Hoang and Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA