Vietnam, Germany promote strategic partnership

The German Vice-Chancellor and Economics and Technology Minister Philipp Roesler received Vietnamese Ambassador to Germany Nguyen Thi Hoang Anh in Berlin on August 22.

The Vietnamese Ambassador highly appreciated the contribution made by the German Ministry and Philipp himself to developing the strategic partnership between the two countries.

She also affirmed that Germany is a potential trade partner of Vietnam in Europe. The two nations are currently implementing projects to build the Vietnam-Germany University and a second metro project in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Vietnamese Ambassador said she hopes that the German Government will continue to create favourable conditions for expatriate Vietnamese to enjoy a stable life and contribute to socio-economic development in their host country.

In reply, Philipp highlighted Vietnam’s increasing position in the international arena and affirmed that Vietnam is an important part of Germany’s economic development strategy.

He hopes that his upcoming visit to Vietnam will create a foundation for building new cooperative projects in future.

August revolution, National Day marked in Russia

The Vietnamese Embassy in Russia hosted a reception to celebrate the 67th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (Sept. 2) in Moscow on August 22.

Addressing the function, Ambassador Pham Xuan Son highlighted the significance of the two events to Vietnam’s history, helping opening up a new era to the country and people.

He emphasised the traditional friendship, cooperation for mutual benefits and the comprehensive partnership between Vietnam and Russia, which have been consolidated and strengthened, demonstrated by the recent visit to Russia by Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang.

The diplomat also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese-Russian relationship will further develop, making a contribution to peace, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

Russian Foreign Deputy Minister Igor Morgulov spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements in the fight against foreign aggressors in defence of national sovereignty, freedom and independence as well as in national reconstruction.

Vietnam is a dynamically developing country, a member with high prestige and respect in the international community, he said.

The official said he believed that the friendship, mutual assistance and trust, regular political dialogues at all levels, comprehensive cooperation and partnership between Vietnam and Russia will be enhanced with greater achievements.

National Assembly to help Laos organise major forums

Viet Nam would do its best to help Laos organise important diplomatic events, especially the upcoming seventh ASEAN-Europe Parliamentary Meeting (ASEP-7) and the ninth Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM-9).

National Assembly (NA) Deputy Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong stated this while receiving a delegation from the Lao National Assembly's Economic and Finance Committee led by Chairwoman Dr Souvanpheng Bouphanouvong in Ha Noi yesterday, Aug 23.

Viet Nam's NA had set up delegations of experienced experts to work with their Lao counterparts to complete the preparations for ASEP-7, and to organise ASEM-9, as well as other important events this year, said Phong.

Souvanpheng Bouphanouvong said that because of Viet Nam's experience, Laos was keen to learn about how Viet Nam negotiated its entry to the WTO.

She said she hoped that Viet Nam would continue to help Laos hold similar events in the future.

Deputy PM to visit Switzerland, Bulgaria

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan will pay working visits to Switzerland from August 30 to September 1, and to Bulgaria from September 2-4.

The trip aims to strengthen cooperation in economics, trade, investment, education-training, science-technology, health care, and culture between Vietnam and the two European countries.  

In Switzerland, Nhan is scheduled to hold talks with the Heads of the Economic Affairs and Home Affairs, visit several pharmaceutical companies, and meet with representatives of the Vietnamese community there.

In Bulgaria, he will hold talks with Deputy Minister cum Minister of Finance Simeon Djankov, meet with a number of ministers, and visit some economic and educational establishments.

PM extends condolences to Ethiopia over leader’s death

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has extended a message of condolences to Ethiopia over the death of the country’s Prime Minister Meles Zenawi.

The message was sent to Hailemariam Desalegn, Acting Prime Minister of the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia.

Vice President welcomes Thai senators

Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan received a delegation of Thai senators from Khon Kaen province led by Senator Prasert Prakoonsuksapan in Hanoi on August 23, describing the visit as an indication of friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

She said she was pleased with the strong development of bilateral cooperation, especially in economics, trade, investment and defence and security.

The Vice President applauded the successful organization of the first Vietnam-Thailand Joint Trade Committee in Hanoi last July, when both countries agreed to raise annual two-way trade by 20 percent to US$18 billion by 2015.

She also thanked Khon Kaen province for supporting the Vietnamese community over the past few years.

Prasert Prakoonsuksapan said that he hopes in the future, both countries will open a direct air route from Khon Kaen to Hanoi and HCM City to boost trade and tourism as well as to improve connectivity between their different localities.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA