Leader discusses relations with Singapore ambassador

Viet Nam always attaches importance to friendship and co-operative ties with Singapore, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said in Ha Noi yesterday, Aug 23.

Trong made the remark at a meeting with Singapore Ambassador to Viet Nam Simon Wong.

He affirmed that further ties would work for the mutual benefit of the two countries as well as for the sake of peace, stability and development of the region and the world.

Wong congratulated Viet Nam for successfully holding the 11th National Party Congress and Trong being appointed as Party leader.

He also briefed Trong on Singapore's key achievements in national development and results of bilateral co-operation.

Vietnam, Thailand mark 35th anniversary of diplomatic ties           

A ceremony was held in Bangkok on August 23 to mark the 35th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Thailand.

Addressing the ceremony, Thailand’s Permanent Secretary for Foreign Affairs Theerakun Niyom said Vietnam and Thailand has long developed a fine relationship since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1976, Vietnam and Thailand have made remarkable progress in expanding and strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation in all fields. Thailand always considers Vietnam a reliable partner, he added.

In reply, Assistant to Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Quang Vinh expressed hope that the Thailand-Vietnam relationship will continue to grow and flourish.

On the occasion, a special music programme was held with the participation of art troupes from both countries as part of a series of activities co-sponsored by the Government of Thailand, the Vietnamese embassy, and consulate general in Thailand and the overseas Vietnamese associations from August 23-31.

Viet Nam, Chile conclude free trade negotiations

Viet Nam and Chile have concluded negotiations on their bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and are planning to sign it on the sidelines of the 19th Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) Summit, scheduled for November this year in Hawaii.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Chile Ha Thi Ngoc Ha informed Chilean politicians, diplomatic corps, officials and businesses of the plan at a ceremony to mark Viet Nam's 66th National Day held recently in Buenos Aires.

The signing of the Viet Nam-Chile FTA was expected to open up opportunities for enterprises from both countries, Ha said, pledging to make active contributions to developing the multi-faceted relationship between the two nations.

The diplomat highlighted Viet Nam's renewal achievements and its efforts to become an industrialised country, affirming that Viet Nam was working hard to stabilise its macro economy and control inflation in the context of the fluctuating world economy.

At a reception for Ambassador Ha earlier, Chilean President Sebastian Pinera said that the 40 years of diplomatic ties and the close relationship between the people of Chile and Viet Nam were firm foundations for the two sides to boost economic trade development.

At present, Viet Nam, Chile and seven other partners are negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement. The signing of this document is expected to create a strategic alliance on free trade in the Asia-Pacific region.

Foreign minister calls US important strategic partner

Viet Nam attached importance to developing ties with the US as a leading partner of strategic significance in implementing its foreign policy of openness, multilateralisation, modernisation and active international integratiuon, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said in Ha Noi yesterday, Aug 23.

Minh expressed his pleasure at developments in the relations between Viet Nam and the US in recent years during his meeting with Senator Jim Webb, chairman of the Subcommittee on East Asian and Pacific Affairs under the Senate Committee on Foreign Affairs of the United States.

Minh said he highly valued the Senator's visit to Viet Nam and thanked him for his contributions to promoting bilateral relations and concerns over peace, stability, co-operation and development in the region.

Webb said he and the US parliament would continue to care for issues in the region and that the US parliament supported multilateral and peaceful solutions to disputes in the East Sea.

Webb also expressed his wish that all concerned parties would use the water resources of the Mekong River in a sustainable manner.

On the same day, National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son met with Webb and expressed his pleasure with the relations between the two countries' legislative bodies.

Son said he wished the two sides would continue to exchange visits at all levels, creating conditions to increase mutual understanding and confidence, and for co-operation and development.

Webb replied that as part of his role and mission, he would continue to make more contributions to further strengthening relations between the two countries.

Earlier, Webb went on a working tour of HCM City. He met with Chairwoman of the municipal People's Council Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, where they discussed issues relating to healing the pains of war, the Vietnamese community in the US, socio-economic issues of common concern and the East Sea issue.

This was Webb's second visit to Viet Nam this year after a visit in April.

Foreign veterans visit Viet Nam

Viet Nam is grateful to Russia, Ukraine, Belarus and other socialist countries for their strong and effective support during its war against the US.

President Truong Tan Sang made the above remarks to a visiting delegation of war veterans from each respective country in the capital yesterday, Aug 23

During national construction, Viet Nam had received help from those countries in training many generations of scientists and managers, Sang said.

He said the loyal friendship between Viet Nam and members of the former Soviet Union would never change.

Earlier, Deputy Minister of Defence Lt-General Nguyen Chi Vinh received the delegation.

"During the war, thousands of foreign experts and military advisors helped us sustain our efforts. The Vietnamese people and army will always treasure your great support," Vinh said.

"Your visit will afford you a chance to witness and be proud of the success Viet Nam has achieved in building and defending itself."

Vinh expressed his hope that the visit would further consolidate the friendship and co-operation between Viet Nam and its traditional allies.

Veterans in turn expressed their confidence in the Vietnamese people in sustaining peace, independence, socialism and prosperity.

China industrial magnate visits Ha Noi

Deputy Chief of General Staff, Lieutenant General Nguyen Song Phi, received Cao Yi, director general of the China North Industries Corporation (NORINCO) in the Asia-Pacific region, in the capital yesterday.

Phi praised the friendship between the Vietnamese and Chinese parties, governments, armies and people, briefing Cao on Viet Nam's national defence policy as well as the current regional situation.

Cao Yi highlighted the results of his working session with leaders from the Vietnamese General Department of National Defence, expressing his wish that co-operation between the two departments would remain prosperous and continue to develop.

VNN/VOV/VNS