Viet Nam delegation visits Laos

A delegation of the National Assembly Office led by its Head Nguyen Hanh Phuc is on a working visit to Laos from Sept.22-24, with the aim of enhancing co-operation between the two NA Offices.

The visit will also see acceleration of a training project and an inspection of the progress of construction of the headquarters of the new Lao NA Office – a gift from Viet Nam.

During the visit, the Vietnamese delegation was received by Vice NA Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane yesterday, Sep 22, who affirmed the current Laos visit showed a deep sentiment between the two legislative bodies as well as the two peoples.

The funding for the building of the NA Office at That Luang square in Vientiane is a significant gift and also a symbol of Viet Nam-Laos friendship, he said.

The Vice Chairman expressed a wish that the two NA offices will continue to increase cooperation in many fields, such as personnel training and information exchange, contributing to fostering the special solidarity, friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos.

VN, US co-operate in overcoming the aftermath of Agent Orange

The sixth meeting of the Viet Nam – US Joint Advisory Committee (JAC) on Agent Orange (AO) opened in Ha Noi from yesterday.

The event aims to help the Vietnamese and US governments enhance their understanding about AO/dioxin exposure levels and propose recommendations based on scientific research on the chemical's impact on human health and the environment.

US Ambassador to Viet Nam David Shear spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government's efforts and determination in cooperating with the US in overcoming the consequences of AO/dioxin for the Vietnamese people, affirming that the event offers a chance for the two governments to review achievements made by JAC over the past six years of operation.

The delegates reviewed cooperation in handling dioxin hot spots in Da Nang City, Bien Hoa City of Dong Nai Province and Phu Cat District of Binh Dinh province and discussed scientific research and the National Action Programme on overcoming the consequences of AO/dioxin from now until 2015 and orientations towards 2020.

Dr. Le Ke Son, Deputy Director General of the Viet Nam Environment Administration and Chief of Office 33 (Office of the National Steering Committee on overcoming the consequences of toxic chemicals used by the US during the war in Viet Nam) said that with the participation of US and international organisations, activities to overcome the consequences of AO/dioxin in Viet Nam have been more effective.

Leader sends sympathies to Pakistani counterpart

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday, Sep 22, sent a message of sympathies to President of Pakistan Asif Ali Zardari over the heavy loss of life and property caused by floods in the southern province of Sindh.

The same day, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended condolences to his Pakistani counterpart, Hina Rabbani Khar.

Leader to visit three countries

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay official visits to the Netherlands, Uzbekistan and Ukraine at the invitations of his counterparts.

His working tour will start from the Netherlands on September 27. There he will stay for four days before leaving for Uzbekistan for a three-day visit, followed by another three-day visit in Ukraine.

Dung is expected to return Viet Nam on October 6.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA