President Sang praises police chiefs, officers

President Truong Tan Sang has hailed police chiefs and officers for outstanding achievements in a campaign for police to study and follow late President Ho Chi Minh's six teachings.

At a ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday, June 5, to commemorate 65 years since the people's police force adopted the teachings and his appeal for a patriotic emulation movement, Sang said the Party, State and people appreciated the contributions made by police.

The President asked police to further the cause by fighting the degradation of political thought, morals and lifestyles, the bureaucracy and corruption and wastefulness among cadres,

Minister of Public Security General Tran Dai Quang said in response to President Ho Chi Minh's appeal for patriotic emulation during the fight against the French colonialists 65 years ago, that the police had spread the movement.

In the past 65 years, the police force has had more than 90 individuals and collectives honoured with Golden Star and Ho Chi Minh Orders. Hundreds have also been awarded titles of Hero of the Armed Forces and Hero of Labour.

Patriotic emulation exhibition opens in HCM City

A photo exhibition highlighting the implementation of President Ho Chi Minh’s appeal for national patriotic emulation got underway in Lam Sơn Park, Ho Chi Minh City on June 4.

Members of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union and young people visit an exhibition in Lam Son Park in HCM City that explores late President Ho Chi Minh's appeal to people in the city to join patriotic emulation movements. The exhibition opened to celebrate 65 years since late President Ho Chi Minh called for a patriotic emulation movement.

This is part of the city’s activities to mark the 65th National Patriotic Emulation Day (June 11) and to speed up the campaign “Studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example”.

The exhibition displays 90 photos, autographs and other documents featuring Vietnam’s patriotic emulation movements since President Ho Chi Minh launched the appeal on June 11, 1948, in the fight against poverty, illiteracy and foreign invaders.

The event offers the chance for the younger generations to understand more about the patriotic emulation movements, as well as their strong effect on national liberation and reunification in the past and Vietnam’s present development.

It also helps educate them on patriotism, the revolutionary tradition and national pride, and directs them to follow President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example.

The exhibition will stay open to visitors until June 15.

Vietnam–EU strategic dialogue facility launched

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the European Union (EU) delegation to Vietnam on June 4 organised a seminar to launch the Vietnam–EU Strategic Dialogue Facility as part of the Vietnam–EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

In his opening speech, Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son said one of the facility’s objectives is to help Vietnam realise other cooperation activities within the PCA.

The Deputy Minister expressed his hope that through the seminar, representatives from ministerial and local agencies will have opportunities to access up-to-date information and evaluations of both Vietnam and the EU on the two sides’ relations, especially in trade, investment, ODA and PCA implementation with the EU’s support. Then they can actively propose suitable cooperation areas, boosting ties with the EU and its members, he added.

According to the Deputy Minister, the PCA signed in June 2012 meets the demand on a new legal framework, and is a manifestation of the rapidly increasing and dynamic relations between Vietnam and the EU, marking a milestone in the development of ties towards equality and comprehensive cooperation.

The implementation of the 2011-2012 PCA has successfully concluded, and the two sides are now discussing the 2013-2014 stage, he added.

Vietnam, as a PCA signatory, pledges to follow its regulations. Besides its own efforts, the assistance and support of the EU as well as its members are greatly needed, the Deputy Minister said.

Head of the EU delegation to Vietnam, Ambassador Franz Jessen, said development cooperation has always been an important part of the cooperation between the EU and Vietnam.

The Vietnamese Government and the EU have identified several prioritised fields for the early implementation of the PCA, Jessen said, pledging to continue the PCA approval and implementation process, and make full use of the cooperation opportunities it may create.

According to him, the new PCA demonstrates the EU’s commitment to forge a modern, broad-based and mutually-beneficially partnership with Vietnam, a partner willing to take on increasing responsibilities in the world arena, and an active and central force in ASEAN, he added.

Also at the seminar, EU representatives announced the launch of the Vietnam–EU Strategic Dialogue and related activities to run in 2013.

Accordingly, the EU delegation to Vietnam will provide 2.9 million EUR from February 2013 – 2016. Main activities focus on policy related research, technological support, organising seminars and training courses.

The facility aims to enhance strategic dialogues between Vietnam and the EU, supporting the PCA through sharing experience, good practices and examples in the prioritised fields.

It also aims to support Vietnam realise its socio-economic development plan in the strategic fields.

Despite the economic crisis, two-way trade between Vietnam and the EU in 2012 still exceeded 29 billion USD, up nearly 20 percent from 2011.

EU nations are among the leading investors in Vietnam. By the end of March 2013, 22 of the 27 EU members invested in 1,299 valid projects in Vietnam, with registered capital totalling over 17 billion USD.

Denmark, Vietnam aim for sustainable partnership

Both countries are advancing to a comprehensive partnership by maintaining political dialogues and promoting trade ties.

On the occasion of Denmark Constitution Day (June 5), Radio the Voice of Vietnam (VOV) introduces excerpts from Danish ambassador to Vietnam John Nielsen’s speech about the time-honoured relationship with Vietnam which has continued to grow and flourish since the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2011.

In 1971, Denmark was one of the first western nations recognizing Northern Vietnam’s independence. Over the past four decades, the close-knit relationship has developed fruitfully, not only between the two governments but also between businesses, artists and athletes.

In 1994, Denmark chose Vietnam as its partner for development cooperation and since then, it has provided US$1.3 billion in official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam’s poverty reduction and economic development.

This year, Denmark plans to disburse approximately US$50 million in ODA to help Vietnam ensure clean water supply, green growth and development of private economic sectors and push through administrative reform.

Among the EU nations, Denmark is one of the biggest ODA providers for Vietnam.

Since Vietnam became a middle income country in 2011, Denmark has decided to stop providing ODA for the country by 2015. In this context, the two nations have agreed to build a more sustainable partnership in the fields of green growth, clean technology, culture and civil society.

The two countries have held cultural exchanges including art performances.

Last year, Vietnam welcomed 27,000 Danish visitors and the figure is expected to post a year-on-year increase of 10-15 percent.

Bilateral relations have grown considerably with more than 140 Danish companies operating in Vietnam by far.

Despite huge challenges for its macroeconomy, Vietnam is still regarded as a potential and attractive market for Danish companies involved in green growth and clean energy industry which are their strength.

In addition, interior designing, manufacturing and electronics industries are also potential areas for future bilateral cooperation.

The World Bank (WB) has recently listed Denmark as one of the countries which are most flexible in Europe and the world as far as the business environment concerned.

In November 2012, the Danish government launched a market development campaign with the aim of doubling Denmark’s export earnings from Vietnam in the next five years.

The campaign advocated by Denmark’s Prime Minister and Foreign Minister during their visit to Vietnam in March 2013, will pave the way for Vietnamese officials to visit Denmark later this year.

Located in Northern Europe, Denmark is the southernmost of the Nordic countries and bordered by Germany. It comprises of two constituent countries —the Faroe Island in the North Atlantic and Greenland in North America, both of which enjoy home rule. With Copenhagen as its capital city, Denmark has a population of 5. 6 million, mostly Protestants (90 percent) and its first language is Danish.

Viet Nam strengthens security co-operation with Mozambique

The Government of Viet Nam supports co-operation between Viet Nam's Ministry of Public Security and Mozambique's Ministry of Interior, especially in crime prevention and protecting citizens.

The statement was made by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung while receiving the Mozambique Minister of the Interior, Alberto Ricardo Mondlane, in Ha Noi yesterday, June 4.

The PM said Mondlane's visit, aimed at increasing security co-operation, would contribute to boosting bilateral ties.

He suggested both sides should support each other at multilateral forums, increase co-operation in the fields of economics, trade and investment, and expand their co-operation in health, education and training and agriculture.

The Mozambican minister briefed Dung on his country's socio-economic situation and stressed his country treasures its ties with Viet Nam.

At present, many Vietnamese experts are working in Mozambique to assist the country in the fields of agriculture, telecoms and industry, while numerous Mozambican public security officers are joining training courses in Viet Nam.

Earlier, the visiting minister held talks with Public Security Minister Tran Dai Quang. The two expressed delight at the co-operation between the two ministries.

Quang said he hoped the two sides would continue strengthening co-operation in preventing trans-national crime, drug-related offences and money laundering, as well as in language training for officers from both sides.

Mondlane said he also wished to see further developments between the two ministries on maintaining social order and national security in both countries.

VN, Thailand bolster cooperation among air forces

The Air Forces of Vietnam and Thailand have agreed to tighten cooperation as the two countries are expected to upgrade their relations to a strategic partnership.

The agreement was reached during talks between visiting Commander of the Vietnam People’s Air Defence - Air Force Phuong Minh Hoa and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force Prajin Jantong on June 4.

During the talks, the two sides pledge to exchange high-ranking delegations annually, foster cooperation in training, share experience in meteorology, as well as coordinate in flood and storm prevention and aviation medicine.

Lieutenant General Hoa affirmed that defence ties are currently contributing to boosting the two sides’ relationship, especially when Vietnam and Thailand have been proactive in upgrading the relationship to a strategic partnership.

Commander Prajin Jantong said the fine relationship between the two sides helps promote mutual understanding between the two peoples, and contributes to maintaining peace and stability in the region. He hopes the relationship will be an example of cooperation for other regional countries’ armies.

Vietnam-Thailand air force relations were first proposed during former Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Thai Air Force Chalit Pukbhasuk’s visit to Vietnam in February, 2006.

The two countries inked an agreement on defence cooperation in 2012. Vietnam has been boosting bilateral and multilateral cooperation with Thailand towards the formulation of an ASEAN Community by 2015, of which defence ties have been highlighted.

During his four-day visit, the Vietnamese Commander is scheduled to hold a courtesy meeting with Commander of the Royal Thai Armed Forces Tanasak Patimapragorn and take part in other activities.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead a Vietnamese delegation to attend the World Economic Forum on East Asia in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar, on June 6.

PM Dung participates in the event at the invitation of Myanmar’s President U Thein Sein and World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab, according to a press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on June 4.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA