Vietnam, Russia urged to enhance cooperation


Vietnam and Russia need to work closely to implement the agreements signed by leaders with a focus on boosting bilateral cooperation in economics trade, investment, culture, education-training and science-technology, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.


PM Dung receives Russian Deputy Foreign Minister A. Borodavkin (Photo: VNA)
PM Dung asked both sides to make good preparations for Russian Prime Minister V. Putin’s visit to Vietnam in July while receiving Russian Deputy Foreign Minister A. Borodavkin in Hanoi on April 25.
The PM highlighted the outcomes of the regular political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level between the two foreign ministries in Hanoi, which have made great contributions to the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership.
He affirmed Vietnam’s willingness to accelerate the negotiations on a free trade agreement (FTA) between Vietnam and member countries of the Russia-Belarus-Kazakhstan Customs Alliance, which is expected to facilitate trade and investment activities and raise two-way trade to US$3 billion by 2012 and US$10 billion by 2020.
PM Dung said Vietnam is also ready to cooperate with Russia in aviation and space technology for peaceful purposes, as well as organising the APEC 2012 Summit.
Deputy FM Borodavkin said that during the consultation meeting, both sides discussed orientations and measures to enhance bilateral cooperation to accelerate the implementation of strategic cooperation projects, especially the project on construction of the first nuclear-power plant in Vietnam.
Both sides supported the continued expansion of cooperation on energy and the implementation of the two countries’ leaders’ guidelines.
During Deputy Foreign Minister Borodavkin’s visit to Vietnam from April 24-26, the Russian Deputy FM and his Vietnamese counterpart, Bui Thanh Son conducted a political consultation.
The regular political consultation at deputy foreign ministerial level aimed to review situations and discuss measures to strengthen the traditional friendship and promote cooperation between the two countries in the context of the two nations celebrating the 10th anniversary of their strategic partnership.
Both sides agreed that the Vietnam-Russia strategic partnership is developing in a strong and comprehensive manner.
The two deputy FMs highly valued the close cooperation between Vietnam and Russia at the United Nations, Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF).
Vietnam asked for Russia’s support in its bid for membership of the UN Human Rights Council for the 2013-2016 term and as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 term and the Russians acknowledged Vietnam’s proposal.


HCM City leader welcomes visit by Vatican envoy


The Chairman of HCM City People's Committee, Le Hoang Quan, welcomed visiting Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli yesterday, April 25, saying the latter's appointment as the Vatican's non-resident representative to Viet Nam marked a further development in bilateral relations.

He said followers of many religions, including Catholics, had contributed to the city's development. The Catholics in HCM City carried out several works of charity including healthcare projects, he said.

Quan also expressed his appreciation of Cardinal Pham Minh Man, Archbishop of HCM City, and other Catholic priests for joining hands with the city government and contributing to the city's socio-economic development.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli said his visit aimed to strengthen relations between the Vatican and the Vietnamese Government. He said Viet Nam had achieved dramatic improvements in the living standards of its citizens.

Before visiting HCM City, the Vatican's special envoy had met with leaders of the Foreign Ministry in Ha Noi.

The archbishop yesterday attended the first annual conference of the Episcopal Council of the Viet Nam Catholic Church. He will lay the first brick of the headquarters of the council tomorrow and attend an ceremony for the Phu Cuong Bishopric in Binh Duong Province on Friday before ending his week-long visit to the country on Saturday.

He will leave for Singapore on Monday morning.

Archbishop Leopoldo Girelli is also apostolic nuncio to Singapore and Timor Leste and apostolic delegate to Malaysia and Brunei.


VN, Poland deepen co-operation


Viet Nam's Party, State and people attached great importance to the traditional friendship and co-operation with Poland and the Democratic Left Alliance (SLD), Politburo member Truong Tan Sang told visiting SLD Chairman G. Napieralski here yesterday, April 25.

Sang, who is also a permanent member of the Communist Party of Viet Nam's Central Committee (CPVCC), shared his views with his guest on the importance of developing an active relationship between the two Parties, helping to enhance the relation between the two countries' national assemblies and mass organisations.

During their talks, Chairman G. Napieralski said that Poland and the SLD considered Viet Nam an important partner in Southeast Asia and Asia-Pacific.

He said he hoped that Vietnam-Poland co-operative relations would continue to develop, particularly in economics, investment, culture, science and technology, education and training, shipbuilding, marine transport and energy.

Earlier, the chairman held talks with CPVCC member and Director of the CPVCC Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan on measures to promote bilateral relations between the two Parties and countries.


VN, Serbia boost ties


Viet Nam always wished to strengthen its traditional friendship and multi-faceted co-operation with the Republic of Serbia, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem told Serbian leaders during his four day visit to the country.

During his stay in the Republic of Serbia which finished last Tuesday, Khiem met with Serbian President Boris Tadic and held talks with Serbian Foreign Minister Vuc Jeremic, Serbian Deputy Prime Ministers Ivica Dacic and Verica Kalanovic, and Serbian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Dragoljub Micunovic.

During their talks, Khiem and the Serbian leaders agreed to hold negotiations to develop framework agreements on economic co-operation, investment protection and encouragement and taxation measures.

They also agreed to create more favourable conditions to boost bilateral trade.

Khiem said Viet Nam was willing to export agricultural products, food, garments and shoes to the Republic of Serbia, and wanted to import electrical wires, bronze, aluminium and steel from the country.

The two sides also agreed to strengthen co-operation in education and training, culture, tourism, sports and national defence.

They reached a consensus to strengthen co-operation and support in multilateral forums and international organisations.

Serbian leaders valued Viet Nam's standpoint over the Kosovo issue and affirmed their support of Viet Nam's bids to join United Nations' councils.


VNN/VOV/VNS