Party General Secretary starts Thailand visit

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong starts his official three-day visit to Thailand today at the invitation of Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra.

The visit demonstrates Viet Nam's policy of proactive international integration, attaching importance to strengthening relations with regional countries to build a strong and united ASEAN Community and a peaceful, friendly, co-operative and developed Southeast Asia.

Viet Nam and Thailand established their diplomatic ties in August 1976. Their relationship has particularly developed since Viet Nam joined the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in 1995.

Economic and trade ties have also been expanded, particularly in rice production and export, finance, transport and oil and gas.

Last year, two-way trade hit US$8.62 billion. Thailand now ranks 10th out of Viet Nam's 96 investors with 300 projects worth a total of $6.11 billion. In return, Viet Nam has invested in seven projects in Thailand with a total capital of $11.35 million.

Theory council applauded for policy-making research

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has asked the National Theory Council to focus on fulfilling its key tasks of researching and consulting on a number of basic theory issues to serve as the foundations for building Party policies.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has asked the National Theory Council to focus on fulfilling its key tasks of researching and consulting on a number of basic theory issues to serve as the foundations for building Party policies.

Attention should be made to issues that have emerged during the process of national construction and development, renewal and international integration, Trong said at a working session with the council yesterday, June 24, to review its performance during the first half of this year.

The council should also ensure it discusses and exchanges a wide variety of opinions to find the proper solutions.

To properly oversee programmes and studies relating to basic political theoretic science, the council should uphold its role in analysing research results to develop the latest theories for constructing Party policies and resolutions, he added.

The Party leader instructed the council to continue improving the organisation of both national and international workshops, as well as training for high-ranking officials.

Trong applauded the council for fulfilling its role over the past six months. During the period, the council conducted research to build consultancy reports for the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) Central Committee, the Politburo and the Secretariat of the CPV relating to enhancing the Party leadership, renewing and finalising the political system, coping with climate change and natural resources, plus environmental protection.

Prime Minister pushes for stronger links with Ecuador

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has pledged that Viet Nam will do its utmost to deepen co-operation with Ecuador for the benefit and development of the two nations.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung receives Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration Ricardo Patino Aroca in Ha Noi.

Receiving Ecuador's Minister of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Integration Ricardo Patino Aroca yesterday, June 24, Dung stressed that the Vietnamese Government backs the implementation of agreements reached during the visit.

He suggested the two nations intensify the exchange of all-level delegations, support each other at international forums and strongly promote economic, trade, investment and tourism co-operation.

Dung expressed his hope that Ecuador will facilitate Vietnamese investment in the country, especially in telecommunications.

Viet Nam stands ready to share its experience in national socio-economic development with Ecuador, he said.

Minister Aroca said his visit aims to further cement co-operation with Viet Nam in various realms, particularly in economics, trade and investment.

He recommended the two sides promptly sign an economic co-operation deal and open embassies in each country to bolster bilateral and multifaceted links.

The guest voiced his support for an increase in visiting delegations.

The same day, the Ecuadorean minister was also welcomed by National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who expressed her belief that the visit greatly contribute to the development of the friendship and solidarity between the two countries.

The NA Vice Chairwoman said Viet Nam treasures its friendship and co-operation with Latin American countries, including Ecuador.

She said she hoped the parliaments of the two countries would increase co-operation and experience exchanges both bilaterally and multilaterally.

She suggested that the Ecuadorean minister seek more measures to boost ties between the two countries and parliaments.

She too called for an increase in delegation exchanges, stating that they can enhance mutual understanding and create opportunities for legislators from both countries to share information and experiences.

Aroca announced his hope that the two sides will further their sound co-operation by effectively implementing the agreements in various fields, including economics, trade, agriculture and science and technology, while strengthening co-operation in parliamentary activities.

He also expressed the Ecuadorean people's love towards late President Ho Chi Minh, saying that he has provided them with a great example to follow.

Earlier the same day, the Ecuadorean minister held talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Pham Binh Minh. The two ministers agreed to promote visits by leaders of the two countries, boost the construction of a legal framework and effectively implement co-operation between the two countries in a wide variety of fields.

The two ministers agreed to increase co-ordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums.

After the talks, the two ministers signed a Co-operation Memorandum of Understanding between the two ministries on economic co-operation mechanisms in Pacific Rim.

Vietnam, France beef up defence ties

The Chief of General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, Sen. Lieut. Do Ba Ty, on June 24 began his four-day official visit to France to further boost defence ties between the two nations.

During his talks with Admiral Edouard Guillaud, Chief of Defence Staff of France in Paris on the same day, Ty said that the Vietnam-France relationship is on the right track with the motto of traditional friendship and comprehensive, long-term and reliable cooperation for the 21st century.

He affirmed that Vietnam hopes to develop all-round ties with France for a strategic partnership.

Ty reviewed several effective cooperation contents between the two sides over the past years, including the annual Joint Defence Committee mechanism, cooperation in defence science and technology, as well as the exchange of experience in military medicine and hydrography.

He thanked the French Defence Ministry for creating conditions for Vietnamese officers to study in the country.

Regarding orientations for future cooperation, the Vietnamese general suggested Vietnam and France continue improving the efficiency of their defence cooperation by increasing the exchange of all-level delegations and the sharing of experience in joining UN peacekeeping operations as well as maintaining the annual Joint Defence Committee and strengthening training cooperation.

Sen. Lieut. Ty expressed his hope that France will continue support for Vietnam’s bid to join the International Hydrographic Organisation (IHO).

In terms of coordination at multilateral forums, he said with its foreign policy of openness and active international integration, Vietnam wishes to further cooperate with France in regional and international multilateral forums, through which the two sides can contribute to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment in the region and the world.

Vietnam is ready to serve as a bridge for expanding France-ASEAN relations, he noted.

For his part, Admiral Edouard Guillaud highly valued the role of Vietnam in the Asia-Pacific region and ASEAN in particular. He said he appreciates the ties between Vietnam and France, especially in defence.

Describing Ty’s visit as a practical activity to mark the 40 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, Guillaud said he believes the visit will contribute to fostering the relationship between the two countries in general and their defence ties in particular.

He agreed with the guest on future cooperation between the two defence ministries, stressing that France applauds Vietnam’s participation in UN peacekeeping operations and is willing to share its experience with the Southeast Asian nation.

As an IHO founder, France will back Vietnam to become the organisation’s member, he affirmed.

The Admiral also stressed that his country supports Vietnam’s viewpoint of settling disputes by peaceful means on the basis of international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

He confirmed that the effective defence cooperation between the two countries will contribute to ensuring peace and stability in the region as well as the legitimate rights of each nation.

President meets with City voters

Anti-corruption and wage reform were among the issues raised by voters in HCM City's District 1 in their meeting with President Truong Tan Sang and a group of NA deputies yesterday, June 24.

Voter Vu Trong Binh said anti-corruption and wastefulness prevention was very important, but measures should be introduced to completely stamp out corruption quickly, rather than just focusing on a long-term preventive goal. He said NA deputies had failed in this area.

In response, Sang said this was a critical issue and conceded that it would affect the Party leadership and people's trust if anti-corruption and wastefulness prevention efforts were not done effectively.

He said the important activities of the Central Steering Committee for Anti-corruption would be increased in the near future and they would work more directly with provinces around the country.

Concerning wage reform, Sang said this issue had been discussed many times but challenges remained in efforts to reform it completely. Wage reform was closely linked with the renewal of the administrative system and the political system, he said.

An increase in the minimum wage was set for next month, Sang said.

Many voters voiced their appreciation for the results of the fifth session of the 13th NA, which closed last Friday. They particularly valued the casting of votes of confidence on 47 officials holding positions of power.

RoK Coast Guard holds rescue exercise in Vietnam

A ship with 68 sailors from the Republic of Korea (RoK) Coast Guard on June 24 anchored at the PTSC port in the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau to join a fire fighting and rescue exercise in the locality.

The Korean Coast Guard 3012, coded 6M31, is 113 meters long, 14.2 meters wide and has a tonnage of 2,953 tonnes.

The ship, carrying with it a helicopter, is one of the 33 biggest ships of the RoK Coast Guard fleet.

Speaking at a welcoming ceremony held for the ship and its crew, Colonel Ngo Ngoc Thu, Deputy Head and Chief of Staff of the Vietnam Maritime Police Department, said the visit will increase mutual understanding and strengthen the relationship between the two forces and the two countries as a whole.

It is a good chance for the two sides to share experience and promote their future cooperation, he added.

The ship is scheduled to join the Vietnam Maritime Police Region 3 on June 25 in the exercise.

It will leave for Ho Chi Minh City on the same day.

Foreign military attaches pay visit

A delegation of foreign military attaches to Viet Nam is visiting military units and provinces in the central region from June 24-30.

The trip aims to strengthen the friendship and solidarity between the Viet Nam People's Army and foreign armed forces.

During the visit, made at the invitation of Viet Nam's Ministry of Defence, the delegation will pay a courtesy visit to the leaders of central coastal Khanh Hoa Province and call in at the provincial Military Command, the Naval Academy and the Air Force Officers School.

The guests will visit the Military Command of Central Highland Lam Dong province and the Academy of Ground Forces based in the locality.

Vietnam, Slovakia enjoy fruitful cooperation

Vietnam and Slovakia have maintained their fine cooperative ties over the past time and their bilateral relationship has been gradually promoted in a practical and effective manner.

That was agreed by Vietnamese Minister of Defence General Phung Quang Thanh and newly-accredited Slovakian Ambassador Igor Pacolak at their meeting in Hanoi on June 24.

The two defence ministries are speeding up negotiations for the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on bilateral defence cooperation, they said.

General Thanh expressed his hope that Igor Pacolak will make active contributions to intensifying the friendship between the two armies and peoples during his time in Vietnam.

VNN/VNS/VNA