Ethnic affairs committee sends delegation to Russia

A delegation from the Government's Committee for Ethnic Minority Affairs, led by Minister - Chairman Giang Seo Phu, paid a working visit to Russia from June 20-30, meeting in Moscow with Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrei Denisov and other Russian legislative leaders and policymakers, including the head of the Russian Presidential Academy of National Economy and Public Administration.

The meetings illuminated the great potential for further co-operation between the two countries, particularly between the committee and Russian agencies specialising in ethnic relations. Such co-operation would promote the interests of both countries and help strengthen the tradition of friendship between Viet Nam and Russia.

The delegation also visited the Russian cities of Ekaterinburg and St Petersburg and met with members of the Vietnamese community in Russia.

Envoy's visit boost ties with African nations

Angola will soon open an embassy in Viet Nam to further enhance the bilateral relationship, Angolan leaders told Vietnamese deputy foreign minister Doan Xuan Hung on the second leg of his African tour between June 25 and July 2. While in Angola, Hung met with acting foreign minister Exalgina Gamboa and presented Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's letter to Angolan leaders and Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem's letter inviting Gamboa to visit Viet Nam. He also held working sessions with leaders of Angolan ministries and businesses.

Earlier, from June 25-28, Hung visited Egypt where he was received by Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and presented Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung's letter to Egyptian leaders. He also attended the sixth political consultation with the Egyptian foreign ministry, where Egyptian leaders expressed a desire to learn more from Viet Nam's renewal experiences and affirmed the intention to co-operate in the fields of potential for both countries. Hung also affirmed that Viet Nam wanted to further deepen its relationship with Egypt.

Greater Mekong Sub-region (GMS) strengthen cooperation

On July 1, the countries of the Greater Mekong Sub-region agreed to issue their third joint deceleration in Vientiane to implement a big project effectively.

The project is related to key transport infrastructure along the corridor, including upgrading Tien Sa port in Da Nang, Hai Van tunnel road, and highway No9 in Vietnam; the second international Lao-Thailand bridge over the Mekong, and linking seven northeastern provinces of Thailand with Savanakhet in Laos and three central provinces in Vietnam.

There are two major routes through Laos: the East-West Economic Corridor (EWEC) that runs along highway No.9 from Da Nang province in Vietnam through Savanakhet in Laos, and Mukdahan and Loei provinces in Thailand to Myanmar; and the North-South Economic Corridor (NSEC).

The corridors will help expand foreign economy, promote commerce, investment and tourism and attract foreign direct investment from inside and outside the region by linking with international markets in the East Asia.

It was agreed at the meeting to build a western corridor from Kunming, China through Hanoi to Hai Phong and an eastern corridor.

A southern corridor will also link Vietnam with Cambodia, Thailand and Laos.

The EWEC running through 13 provinces in Vietnam, Laos, Thailand and Myanmar is one of five economic corridors in the GMS to receive support from the Asian Development Bank and the Japanese Government.

Son La ready to plant more markers on Lao border

The northern province of Son La has coordinated with the Lao province of Houaphanh to plant 12 more border markers in the first half of next year, the Son La People's Committee announced. The two provinces have already undertaken plans to erect around 50 markers this year. Son La, to date, has planted 51 out of a total of 125 markers along the borderline with the Lao provinces of Houaphanh and Luang Prabang.

Congratulations sent to newly elected Thai Senate Speaker

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a letter of congratulations yesterday to Teeradej Meepien on his appointment as Thailand's Senate Speaker and Acting President of the National Assembly of Thailand.

Strengthening cooperative ties with Egypt and Angola

A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Foreign Minister and the Prime Minister’s special envoy, Doan Xuan Hung, visited Egypt and Angola from June 25 to July 2.

During their time in Egypt, Mr Hung met with Egyptian Prime Minister Essam Sharaf and presented a letter from Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the Egyptian leader. He had working sessions with the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other ministries and businesses.

In Angola, Mr Hung met with the Acting Minister of External Relations, Exalgina Gamboa, handed over Prime Minister Dung’s letter to Angolan leaders along with Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem’s letter inviting his Angolan counterpart to visit Vietnam. He also paid courtesy visits to Politburo member and Secretary of the People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) Carlos Quintos and worked with several ministries and businesses.

Deputy Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Nguyen Dang Khoa and representatives from several Vietnamese ministries and departments also met with their Egyptian and Angolan counterparts.

During the meetings, Egyptian and Angolan leaders expressed their admiration for Vietnam’s past struggle for national independence and its current renewal process. They wanted to learn from Vietnam’s experiences and said they are willing to cooperate with Vietnam in various fields.

Mr Hung affirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening relations with Egypt and Angola.

All sides explained their socio-economic situations and affirmed that they were interested in expanding cooperation in trade, agriculture, seafood, health care, education, oil, gas and telecommunications.

Angola plans to open an embassy in Vietnam soon.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA