Armenian President to visit Vietnam

Serzh Sargsyan, the President of the Republic of Armenia, will pay an official visit to Vietnam on June 8 and 9.

According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the visit is made at the invitation of State President Truong Tan Sang.

People-to-people diplomacy contributes to national development: PM

Together with State diplomacy, people-to-people diplomacy has made great contributions to the past struggles for national independence and to the country’s current process of socio-economic development.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made this remark during a working session with the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) in Hanoi on June 4.

Reaffirming that developing people-to-people diplomacy is a sound policy of the Party and State, PM Dung said it has helped promote Vietnam’s image to international friends.

He asked the VUFO to uphold its achievements and associate people-to-people diplomacy with State diplomacy to create a peaceful and stable environment for socio-economic development.

VUFO President Nguyen Xuan Hong said the Union has developed well over the years, contributing significantly to the nation’s Renewal (Doi Moi) process.

With 97 member organizations nationwide, the VUFO has successfully established a network of international partners around the globe, especially in important regions, he said, adding that it has also initiated activities to promote peace, solidarity, friendship, and cooperation through people-to-people diplomacy.

Since 1992, the VUFO has mobilized and disbursed nearly US$3 billion in foreign non-governmental aid to deal with war aftermath, reduce poverty, settle social issues, develop the economy, protect the environment and natural resources, and provide relief aid for natural disaster-hit regions.

However, he said, there remain shortcomings in the Union’s operation, especially its external affairs.

NA Chairman welcomes foreign ambassadors

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received the ambassadors of Thailand and Indonesia in Hanoi on June 4.
At a reception for Thai Ambassador Anuson Chinvanno, who just took up his position in Vietnam, NA Chairman Hung reaffirmed that Vietnam will do its utmost to foster cooperation between the two parliaments and peoples.

He expressed his wish that in the coming time, the two legislative bodies will further strengthen the sharing of experience and the exchange of visits by parliamentarians as well as boost the coordination at international and regional inter-parliamentary forums.

The NA leader said he believes that during his term of office, Ambassador Anuson Chinvanno will make active and effective contributions to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

The Thai Ambassador said he hopes to continue receiving support from the Vietnamese NA in implementing cooperation programmes between the two countries.

While meeting with Indonesian Ambassador Mayerfas, NA Chairman Hung said that Vietnam always attaches importance to traditional relations with Indonesia.

He said bilateral cooperation results not only bring practical benefits to both sides but also contribute to regional peace, stability and development.

The NA Chairman suggested that besides economic-trade ties, the two sides should increase cooperation in defence and security and the exchange of high-ranking delegations on the basis of friendship and mutual understanding between the two nations.

Ambassador Mayerfas said that Indonesia always considers Vietnam a friend and a strategic partner, adding that Indonesia is encouraging its businesses to invest in the country.

Binh Duong strengthens ties with RoK

A group of young people from the city of Deajeon in the Republic of Korea (RoK) are on a cultural exchange with their peers from Vietnam’s southern province of Binh Duong from June 2-7.

The annual exchange aims to boost friendship between the two localities and has been running since 2005.

During their stay in Vietnam, the 26 youngsters and ten officials from Deajeon, will sign an agreement to establish a Vietnam-RoK cooperation centre.

They will also have a chance to stay with Vietnamese families to experience local culture and visit beautiful tourist spots in Binh Duong.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA