VUFO helps Belgian NGOs in Vietnam

The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) intends to help non-governmental organisations (NGOs) from Belgium solve their problems, President Vu Xuan Hong stated during a meeting in Belgium attended by numerous Belgian NGOs.

At the Oct. 2 meeting, many NGOs said they are keen to open offices and expand their operations in Vietnam.

However, they said that apart from inadequate information on Vietnam, their coordination with local authorities around the country has failed to live up to their expectations.

Both sides agreed to enhance cooperation in the coming months to mark the 40th anniversary of the two countries’ bilateral diplomatic ties.

In the first half of this year, Belgian NGOs committed aid totalling over 3 million USD.

During his five-day visit to the country, the VUFO leader and his delegation took part in a range of events within the framework of the ‘Vietnam Culture Week’ in Belgium, from September 29 to October 6.

The Vietnamese delegation left Belgium on October 3, with France being the next stop on their European trip.

PM to attend ASEM Labour and Employment Ministers Conference

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the fourth ASEM (Asia-Europe Meeting) Labour and Employment Ministers Conference scheduled to take place in mid October in Hanoi.

Since 2006, the biennial conference has served as a forum for ASEM partners to exchange views on promoting international relations, solving employment and global society issues, and other matters of common concern.

The ASEM is a series of informal dialogues fostering cooperation between 27 European Union (EU) member countries, 19 Asian nations, and the ASEAN Secretariat.

India keen on Vietnam’s aquaculture experience

The visiting Indian Minister of Agriculture showed interests in Vietnam’s fish farming experience as he saw a lot of potential for the two countries’ cooperation in the field and in agriculture generally.

Minister Sharad Pawar had working sessions with leaders of several research institutes for aquaculture, rice and fruit trees and representatives of the Cuu Long (Mekong) Delta Economic Cooperation Forum, in Ho Chi Minh City on October 3.

He noted that agriculture plays an important role to both Vietnamese and Indian economies and suggested that the two sides should work out specific programmes and plans to step up their linkages in areas of their strength.

Bui Ngoc Suong, Deputy Head of the Southwest Steering Board expressed his hopes that in the future, the Indian Ministry of Agriculture will encourage Indian businesses to participate in the Mekong Delta Economic Cooperation Forum regularly.

He also said he wants to see increased cooperation between the two countries’ businesses in researching and producing plant varieties, manufacturing agricultural machines and bio-technology.

VN, Hungary vow to boost cooperation

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of deepening cooperation with Hungary in all fields in a more effective and practical manner in the future.

At a reception for newly-appointed Hungarian Ambassador to Vietnam Eszter Torda in Hanoi on October 3, PM Dung said Vietnam and Hungary boast a lot of potentials to assist each other in economics, trade, investment, and education and training for mutual development.

He expressed Vietnam’s willingness to support Hungary in increasing cooperation with ASEAN member countries.

He said he hopes Hungary will support Vietnam in enhancing cooperation with other European Union countries and soon recognise the country’s market economy.

He also suggested the two countries work closely together at regional and international forums.

Torda highlighted Hungary’s foreign policy of promoting cooperation with Southeast Asian countries, especially Vietnam.

She pledged to do her utmost to boost multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in the fields of great potentials such as economics, trade, agriculture, education and training, healthcare, information technology and communications, water resource management and waste treatment.

Hungary is willing to serve as a gateway for Vietnamese goods to enter European markets, Torda said.

Condolences sent to Hong Kong over maritime accident

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on October 3 extended his condolences to Chief Executive of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of China Leung Chun-ying over a deadly maritime accident that killed 38 people.

The accident occurred in the evening of October 1, when a passenger ferry collided with a passenger boat off Lamma Island to the southwest of Hong Kong Island.

Sympathy sent to Croatia

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday, Oct 3, sent a message of condolences to the Croatian Parliament over the death of its leader, Boris Sprem.

Boris Sprem, 56, died of blood cancer last week. He was a member of the ruling Social Democratic Party and was elected Speaker of Croatian Parliament last December.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA