Meeting marks Vietnam-Algeria diplomatic ties

A large number of officials, diplomats and students from Vietnam and Algeria gathered at a meeting in Hanoi on October 25 to mark the 50th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Don Tuan Phong said that over the past 50 years, the traditional ties of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Algeria have been strengthened and promoted by the two countries’ leaders and people.

High-ranking exchange visits, including those by State President Nguyen Minh Triet to Algeria in April 2010 and the Algerian National People’s Assembly Chairman, Abdelaziz Ziari, to Vietnam in January 2010, have contributed to creating a premise for comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam, Cherif Chikhi, reviewed the results of bilateral trade, investment, scientific-technological, healthcare and educational cooperation over the years.

The two-way trade turnover increased from 6 million USD in 2000 to more than 100 million USD in 2011. It reached 85 million USD in the first half of this year, up nearly 50 percent against the same period last year.

People-to-people exchanges have also received due attention.

The Vietnam-Algeria Friendship Association has held the first get-together for more than 300 Vietnamese health, education and construction experts who used to work in Algeria. The association has regularly organised competitions to promote Algerian culture and relationship with Vietnam

Phong and Cherif expressed their hope that bilateral relations between the two countries will further develop and flourish for peace and mutual benefits.

Vietnam-Thailand cooperation in the spotlight

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and his Thai counterpart Yingluck Shinawatra will co-chair the second Vietnam-Thailand joint Cabinet meeting in Hanoi on October 27.

They will review the implementation of agreements reached during the previous meeting, which took place in both Vietnam’s Da Nang city and Thailand’s Nakhon Phanom province in 2004, as well as discuss measures to strengthen friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The level of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand has developed well since both countries established bilateral diplomatic ties in 1976.

The Vietnamese Government and people have always attached a great deal of importance to developing a sound relationship with Thailand, both on the bilateral basis and at the regional level, for the benefit of both nations as well as for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

In 2011, the two countries celebrated the 35th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties by holding a wide range of significant events.

Both countries have regularly exchanged visits and held meetings at every level. Many cooperation mechanisms, such as the joint committee on trade cooperation, the joint cabinet meeting and the ongoing political consultation between both Foreign Ministries, have worked extremely well.

In addition, the two counties always support each other in regional and sub-regional cooperation frameworks, as well as at global forums.

Economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Thailand has developed rapidly, with two-way trade reaching nearly 8.1 billion USD in 2011 and 6.2 billion USD in the first nine months of this year. Vietnam is now Thailand’s ninth biggest importer and its 17th largest export partner.

By September this year, Thailand had 292 operational FDI projects in Vietnam with a total registered investment capital of 6 billion USD, ranking 10th amongst the 96 countries and territories investing in the country.

Vietnam is currently operating seven projects in Thailand, capitalised with 12 million USD, ranking 27th out of 55 investors.

Bilateral cooperation in the education and training sector has also seen encouraging results, especially in the awarding of scholarships and in Vietnamese and Thai language training.

Lao leaders presented with Honourary Doctorates

The National Economic University (HNU) of Vietnam presented Honourary Doctorates to high-ranking leaders of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, National Assembly and Government at a ceremony in Vientiane on October 25.

The leaders are Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong, National Assembly Chairwoman Pani Yothotou, Deputy PM Asang Laoly, Deputy PM and Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Duangchay Phichit. All of them are also Politburo members of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

The degrees were awarded in recognition of their contribution to the development of Vietnam’s education-training and science-technology in general and the HNU in particular, thus contributing to fostering the special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

On behalf of the recipients, PM Thongsing Thammavong said the award is an encouragement for the Lao leaders to raise high their responsibility in the implementation of the Party’s ideals, especially in building a wealthy country, a fair and civilised society for the happiness of the Lao people.

European Council President to visit Vietnam

President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy and his spouse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from October 31 to November 2.

The Foreign Ministry announced on October 25 that the visit will be made at the invitation of State President Truong Tan Sang.

Vietnam, Russia strengthen defence ties

Vietnam and Russia have agreed to continue fostering the cooperation stated in the signed agreements so as to further intensify the two countries’ defence ties in their comprehensive strategic partnership.  

According to Quan Doi Nhan Dan (People’s Army) newspaper, the Defence Ministries of Vietnam and Russia sides reached the agreement during recent talks between General Makarov Nicolai Egorovich, Russian Chief of General Staff of the Armed Forces and first Deputy Defence Minister, and the visiting Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieutenant Gen. Do Ba Ty.

Egorovich described the visit as a contribution to further consolidating the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, peoples and armies.

The Vietnamese general, for his part, affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people always attach special importance to the traditional friendship and comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia.

He stated that defence cooperation has been regarded as an important pillar in bilateral ties, which continue progressing broadly.

At the talks, the two sides exchanged views on international and regional issues of common concern and informed each other about socio-economic development situation in each country.

VNN/VOV/VNA