President makes state visit to Philippines

President Truong Tan Sang arrives in the Philippines today for a three-day state visit at the invitation of President of the Republic of the Philippines Benigno S Apuino III. This is Sang's first visit to the Phillippines as Vietnamese President.

The visit confirms Viet Nam's consistent policy of boosting relations with the Phillipines, with which the country has had formal diplomatic ties for 35 years.

PM to travel to Japan

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay an official visit to Japan from October 30 to November 2.

The visit is made an invitation from Japanese Prime Minister Noda Yoshihiko.

President sends condolences on death of Saudi crown prince

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday sent his condolences to the King of Saudi Arabia, Abdullah bin Abdul-Aziz Al Saud, on the death of Crown Prince Sultan bin Abdulaziz Al Saud.

Prime Minister conveys sympathy to Turkish leader after quake

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, Oct 25, sent a message of sympathies to Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan on the loss of life in the earthquake that struck the city of Van on Sunday.

Nation supports full UN membership for Palestinians

Viet Nam supported the will of the State of Palestine and people to acquire full membership to the United Nations, said the Vietnamese representative to the UN.

"Viet Nam closely follows developments related to the peace process in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine, and strongly supports the struggle and rights of the Palestinian people and all efforts for peace in the region, Ambassador Le Hoai Trung, Vietnamese Permanent Representative to the UN, said at the open debate of the UN Security Council on "The situation in the Middle East, including the question of Palestine" in New York on Monday.

Viet Nam also supported negotiations between parties concerned and welcomed renewed efforts by the Quartet, the League of Arab States, regional countries and the United Nations to help promote the Israeli – Palestinian negotiations on all core issues, the Ambassador said.

He called for intensified efforts by the international community, in particular the Security Council and the Quartet, to address the current political and humanitarian crisis and to promote a just, lasting and comprehensive peaceful solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.

Leader lauds ties with Lao Front

The Viet Nam Fatherland Front and the Lao Front for National Construction should continue to work closely together and share experiences, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has said.

At a meeting with President of the Lao Front for National Construction Phan Douangchit Vongsa in Ha Noi yesterday, Trong stressed the importance of the two Fronts' work on boost bilateral solidarity.

Trong said he highly appreciated the visit to Viet Nam by Vongsa and efforts by the two countries to boost bilateral co-operation.

Vongsa informed the Party leader about recent developments in Laos and co-operation activities between the two Fronts.

He said the Party, State, Front and people of Laos would spare no efforts to maintain and foster closer ties with Viet Nam.

On the same day, President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee Huynh Dam and Vongsa agreed to work closely together on activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries, as well as the 35th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Co-operation Treaty, and to prepare for the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Front Presidents' Conference in Phnom Penh later this year.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA