NA chairman, AIPA chief discuss summit

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday, Feb 23, received General Secretary of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Antonio V Cuenco and Executive Director of the Freeland Fund Steve Galster.

Hung spoke highly of Cuenco's efforts during his term that had helped boost the inter-parliamentary co-operation process among ASEAN members.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (right) receives General Secretary of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly Antonio V Cuenco. (Photo: VNS)

Viet Nam's National Assembly also wished that the AIPA Secretariat would continue to improve its operational efficiency in the context of building an ASEAN Community by 2015.

The top legislative leader said that he hoped Cuenco would continue to act as an important bridge between the National Assembly of Viet Nam and the parliaments of other AIPA members.

Addressing Executive Director of the Freeland Fund Steve Galster, Hung said he welcomed the fund's proposal to construct a common regulation applicable to the ASEAN region to prevent illegal wildlife trade.

Hung said Vietnamese legal documents relevant to this issue were already concrete and coherent and the country has been party to international and regional conventions.

Cuenco expressed his happiness in coming back to Viet Nam and asked for support in discussion based on preventing illegal wildlife trade at the upcoming AIPA summit.

He said that with Viet Nam's backing, regional co-operation in this field would be more effective.

Cuenco wished that Viet Nam, as well as other ASEAN countries, would take bold actions in establishing a mechanism to prevent illegal wildlife trade and protect the natural environment.

Vice President meets DPRK guests

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan received a delegation of the friendship association between the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) and Vietnam, in Hanoi on Feb. 23.

Vice President Doan said Vietnam and the DPRK boast a fine traditional friendship, which was fostered by President Ho Chi Minh and President Kim Il-Sung and survived many challenges of history.

She praised the past activities of the DPRK-Vietnam Friendship Association for contributing to developing the two countries’ relations and expressed her belief that the two countries’ friendship will be constantly boosted for the benefit of the two peoples and for peace and stability in the region and the world.

On behalf of the delegation, Kim Chang-il, DPRK Ambassador to Vietnam and senior advisor of the association, expressed thanks for support and assistance from the Vietnamese people to DPRK.
Kim said the DPRK-Vietnam friendship is constantly expanded by each generation.

The DPRK-Vietnam Friendship Association delegation is on a visit to Vietnam from Feb. 19-26.

Vietnamese, German parties boost cooperation

On February 23, Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Central Committee Dinh The Huynh received a delegation of the Social Democratic Party of Germany (SPD) led by Achim Post, Head of the SPD’s International Politics Department.

Mr Huynh expressed his delight at the constant development of Vietnam-Germany relations as well as the close ties between the CPV and SPD.

The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to strengthening the strategic partnership with Germany and wish for closer cooperation between the two parties, said Mr Huynh.

He said the two countries should bring their first theoretical dialogue on sustainable development into full play and prepare for the second dialogue on human resources development and renewable energy scheduled to take place in Germany this year.

Mr Huynh wished that the SPD would strengthen its important position in Germany and the European political theatre and its relations with Vietnam.

Earlier the same day, the CPV delegation led by Hoang Binh Quan, Head of the CPV’s External Affairs Commission held talks with the SPD delegation.

Both sides informed each other about the situation of each party and each country and discussed international and regional issues of common concern and measures to enhance cooperative relations between the two parities and strategic partnership between the two countries.

During the visit, the SPD delegation visited the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum and worked with the CPV’s Theoretical Council, the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration and the Ho Chi Minh Youth Union Central Committee.

Lao PM visits with high-ranking group

Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and a high-ranking delegation of his cabinet arrived in Vietnam on Feb. 23 for a four-day visit to Kon Tum, Gia Lai and Binh Dinh provinces at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc warmly received Thammavong and his delegation at Pleiku Airport, saying the visit is a showcase of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Phuc applauded the great achievements made by the Lao Government and people in socio-economic development and foreign affairs, which have helped boost the country’s position in the international and regional arena.

He emphasised the practical meaning of the Lao PM’s a visit to provinces in Vietnam and expressed his belief that this is a good opportunity to exchange experiences in socio-economic development at provincial level.

For his part, the Lao PM said the warm reception from the Vietnamese Government, leaders and people manifests the solidarity between the two Parties, Government and peoples.

Both parties expressed delight at their comprehensive partnership, cooperation in investment and growing trade.

They agreed to push the implementation of high-level agreements, the outcome of the 34th Inter-governmental Committee meeting while strengthening partnership mechanisms.

A high-ranking delegation from the Senate of Chile led by Senate President Guido Girardin Lavin will soon pay an official visit to Vietnam.

The visit will be made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, the NA’s Committee for External Relations announced on February 23.

Media protects human rights: Gov’t official

A senior official has highlighted the importance of media and journalistic agencies in protecting human rights, as well as in fighting corruption and other negative practices.

The Vietnamese Party and State have always considered human beings both the goal and motive behind all socio-economic development policies, and mass media plays an essential role in bringing into full play human rights in the country, said Do Quy Doan, Deputy Minister of Information and Communication, at a seminar in Hanoi on February 23.

According to Doan, newspapers and other media agencies have actively promoted Vietnam’s achievements in establishing and safeguarding human rights over the years. These accomplishments include participation in United Nations conventions on human rights, eliminating all forms of racial discrimination and discrimination against women, and combating child prostitution and pornography, as well as labour exploitation of women and children.

In recent years, Vietnamese media outlets have served as a forum for people to express their opinions and ideas on many issues in the country.

Dr James Anderson, an expert for the World Bank, acknowledged that Vietnamese media have contributed to protecting the interests of people, fighting corruption, and criticizing law violations, as well as violations of citizens’ rights and legitimate interests.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA