Party commission heads to Laos

A delegation from the CPV Central Committee's Commission for Publicity and Education (CPE) led by Chairman Dinh The Huynh began a four-day working visit to Laos yesterday, Sep 29.

The delegation paid a courtesy visit to Laos Vice State President Bounnhang Vorachith who spoke highly of the effective co-operation between the Commission for Propaganda and Training (CPT) of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee and the CPE in various fields.

For his part, Huynh affirmed that the CPE would enhance multifaceted co-operation with the CPT, helping to foster the special relationship between the two nations.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation held talks with the head of the Laos Commission for Propaganda and Training, Chueang Sombounkhan, during which the two sides signed a co-operative agreement for the 2011-2015 period.

Under the agreement, the two sides agreed to popularise important political events between the two countries, especially the Year of Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity 2012, helping to bring the Viet Nam-Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation to a new height. The CPE will assist the Lao commission in training personnel and building a website for its magazine.

Leaders congratulate China on National Day

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung sent messages of congratulation to their Chinese counterparts on China’s 62nd National Day (Oct. 1). 

 In their messages extended to General Secretary of the Communist Party of China and State President Hu Jintao, Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo and Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao, the Vietnamese leaders highly valued achievements made by the Chinese people over the past 62 years, especially in the last 30 years of implementing of the reform and open-door policies. 

With pleasure at the continuous development of the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, the Vietnamese leaders affirmed that the Vietnamese Party, State and people always treasure the traditional friendship with China and are ready, together with the Chinese side, to make tireless efforts to consolidate and further develop the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. 

On the occasion, Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh extended greetings to his Chinese counterpart, Yang Jiechi.

VN praises Cambodia's ‘remarkable' rights record

Cambodia had recorded remarkable achievements in ensuring human rights in the country during the past years, said Vu Anh Quang, deputy head of the Viet Nam Permanent Mission to the United Nations, World Trade Organisation and other international organisations in Geneva.

He made the comments at the 18th session of the Human Rights Council on Wednesday.

Quang said progress on human rights in Cambodia had been achieved in the economic, cultural, social and political fields, and included successes such as raising people's living standards and achieving the United Nations' Millennium Development Targets.

Quang also highlighted successes in improving the legislative system and the fight against corruption. He praised Cambodia's active commitment and serious attitude at the Universal Periodic Review and its goodwill in dialogue and co-operation with other UN human rights establishments, especially with the UN Special Rapporteur.

Viet Nam highlighted all active new developments on human rights in Cambodia as reported by Special Rapporteur Surya Prasad Subedi and Cambodian Ambassador Su Suon, head of the Cambodia Mission to the United Nations and other International Organisations in Geneva on Wednesday.

Quang said Viet Nam was pleased with a peaceful and stable Cambodia that enjoyed rapid economic development despite the global economic crisis and upheavals that occurred during the past year.

Vietnam attends UNESCO Executive Board’s 187th session

President of the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO Nguyen Thanh Son has joined representatives from 57 other member countries of the UNESCO Executive Board at the 187^th session in Paris, France.

The participants discussed orientations for future activities of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) and preparatory work for the 36^th session of the UNESCO General Assembly slated for October 2011.

At the opening of the board’s session on September 27, Son, who is also Deputy Foreign Minister, said UNESCO titles given to Vietnam, including the world cultural heritages, the world biosphere reserves and the world geological parks have contributed to social and economic development in localities and the country in general.

The Vietnamese diplomat spoke highly of the organisation’s reform and said that Vietnam will organise an international seminar next year on the occasion of the 40^th anniversary of the Convention Concerning the Protection of World Cultural and Natural Heritages.

For her part, UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova said that the organisation has recorded important achievements in education, especially for women and children, apart from outstanding results in science and information. 

In addition, the UNESCO Convention on Cultural Diversity has brought into play its effects in preserving cultures since it was signed in 2005, she added.

Irina Bokova said UNESCO will prioritise promoting the reform of UNESCO in the context of shrinking finances due to the impact of the global financial downturn.

At a meeting with Deputy FM Son, UNESCO General Director Irina Bokova highlighted Vietnam’s contributions to the success of UNESCO with its diversified and effective activities in various fields.

She said she hoped Vietnam will make more contributions to the development of UNESCO, and congratulated the Vietnam National Commission for UNESCO on its 35^th founding anniversary (June 15, 2012).

ASEAN, Japan vice defence ministers meet in Tokyo

Vice Defence Minister Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh attended the third Japan-ASEAN Vice Defence Ministerial Meeting in Japan on September 28-29. 

At the meeting, representatives from ASEAN countries, the ASEAN Secretariat and Japan focused their discussion on measures to strengthen security in the region, including non-traditional security in general and sea security in particular. 

Speaking at the event, Vice Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh affirmed Vietnam always supports and will join in these measures actively based on international law and within its capacity. 

Regarding to issues relating to the East Sea, participants said that the disputes should be solved peacefully on the basis of international law. They shared the view that there should be a common interpretation of the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS 1982) and strictly implementation of the Convention. 

On the sidelines of the meeting, Vinh had a bilateral meeting with Japan’s Vice Minister of Defence Kimito Nakae. The two sides deliberated measures to promote the bilateral cooperation in defence in the time to come.

President invites Malaysians to increase business foothold

The Vietnamese Government will create favourable conditions for Malaysian businesses to invest and operate in Viet Nam.

State President Truong Tan Sang made this affirmation while attending a Viet Nam-Malaysia business forum in Kuala Lumpur yesterday, Sep 29, as part of his three-day official visit to Malaysia.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his wish that Malaysian businesses would increase investment and contributions to Viet Nam's socio-economic development.

Malaysian businesses valued Viet Nam's support, saying they had seen successful operations and gained a firm foothold in the Vietnamese market.

Many indicated they are ready to invest in Viet Nam and seek further co-operation with Vietnamese partners in years to come.

On the same day, President Sang visited Malaysia's national petroleum group, Petronas and spoke highly of the close, effective and practical co-operation between Viet Nam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) and Petronas over the past 20 years, which has brought economic benefits to both countries.

He suggested the two groups strengthen ties, especially in exploring and exploiting new oil and gas fields in both Viet Nam and Malaysia.

On the occasion, President Sang received US$50,000 as a gift from Petronas to Vietnamese agent orange victims.

The President also received the leaders of leading Malaysian businesses, including Jacks Resources Berhad, CIMB Bank, Proton automobile maker and retailer Parkson.

While visiting the Vietnamese Embassy in Malaysia, President Sang praised the efforts of embassy staff in implementing the guidelines and policies of the Party and State.

He urged embassy staff and the Vietnamese community to continue strengthening solidarity, helping boost friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA