Italy, Vietnam promote cooperation

A delegation from the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation led by its deputy head Nguyen The Trung is visiting Italy from April 22-26.

Deputy Minister of Interior Saverio Reperto and Deputy head of the DCLI, Sandra Sarti spoke highly of the fine development of bilateral relations.

The Vietnamese delegation is scheduled to meet with Italian communists and two religious organizations in Venice to learn more Italy’s policies related to religious situation and ethnic groups.

Earlier, the delegation worked with Vietnamese Embassy in Italy to gain a better understanding of the Vietnamese community and its activities in the country.

After concluding the Italian visit, the delegation will visit France from April 26-30.

Vietnamese general delivers speech in Cambodia

The increase in the number of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meetings Plus (ADMM+) reflects the aspirations of ASEAN member countries to support this cooperation mechanism, Deputy Minister of Defence Nguyen Chi Vinh has said.

“However, we need a final decision from ASEAN’s defence ministers so we can consult with our partners and reach a consensus”, Vinh told the ASEAN Defence Senior Officials’ Meeting (ADSOM) in Siem Reap, Cambodia, on April 24.

General Vinh led a Vietnamese delegation to the event.

On the sidelines of the ADSOM, Vietnam’s Defence Deputy Minister met with General Neang Phat, the Secretary of State of the Cambodian Defence Ministry.

Vietnam’s success will give fresh impetus for the cause of national construction and development in Laos, she said, adding that the Lao State and people will preserve and educate the younger generations about the special ties of friendship with Vietnam.

The President highlighted the contributions of Vietnamese businesses operating in Laos to the country’s social welfare, and said Laos will create favourable conditions for these enterprises to expand their production and investment.

She proposed that both nations further promote people-to-people diplomacy, reinforce cooperation between border localities, and build a borderline of peace, cooperation, friendship and development.

Ms Yathotu said she hopes Vietnam will share with Laos its experience in socio-economic development, poverty reduction, and foreign investment attraction.

Vietnam concerned about Sudanese tensions

Vietnam is deeply concerned about escalating tension between Sudan and South Sudan , a spokesman for the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry said on April 25.

“Vietnam calls on concerned parties to respect international law and signed agreements, maintain restraint, not let tensions escalate and settle differences through peaceful negotiations,” spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi said.

Nghi made the statement in response to reporters’ questions on conflicts at the border of the Republic of Sudan and the Republic of South Sudan.

Quang Tri, Laos localities cooperate well

Every two years, the central province of Quang Tri and bordering Lao provinces of Savannakhet and Salavan sign new cooperation agreements, which lay a foundation for effective cooperation.

In terms of human resource training, Quang Tri province provides training on science and technology, political and military tasks, professional security competence and Vietnamese language for cadres of the two Lao provinces.

On science and technology, the provinces work together to carry out many projects, including environmental protection in Quang Tri-Salavan and Quang Tri-Savannakhet economic zones in the East-West economic corridor.

The three provinces jointly implemented a project to prevent cross-border epidemics effectively, especially the prevention and control of malaria, dengue fever, diarrhoea and HIV/AIDS.

Cross border trade between the three provinces is bustling, with many enterprises from Quang Tri seeking business investment in Laos , including Quang Tri Rubber Company and MTV Co., Ltd.

Border province authorities coordinate in investigation, supervision and prevention of crimes, especially drug smuggling.

To date, there are 14 pairs of sister villages between Quang Tri and Savannakhet and nine between Quang Tri and Salavan, which helps build a borderline of peace and friendship.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA