N Korea leader on official visit

Kim Yong-nam, chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People's Assembly of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), arrived yesterday, Aug 5, in Viet Nam for a three-day official visit.

Kim Yong-nam, DPRK Chairman of the Presidium of the Supreme People’s Assembly. (Source: VNA)

The visit is being made at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang.

The delegation also includes Minister of Foreign Trade Ri Ryong Nam, Minister of Mining Industry Kang Min Chol and the DPRK Ambassador to Viet Nam Kim Chang-il.

Kim Yong-nam previously served as foreign minister for the DPRK from 1983 to 1998.

US calls for peace, stability in East Sea

The US Department of State has issued a press release, affirming wish to maintain peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.
As a Pacific nation and resident power, the US has a national interest in the maintenance of peace and stability, respect for international law, freedom of navigation, and unimpeded lawful commerce in the East Sea, said the statement released on August 3.

“We do not take a position on competing territorial claims over land features and have no territorial ambitions in the East Sea; however, we believe that the nations of the region should work collaboratively and diplomatically to resolve disputes without coercion, without intimidation, without threats and without the use of force,” it said.

The department said the US is concerned by the increase in tensions in the East Sea and is monitoring the situation closely. It cited recent developments such as coercive economic actions and China’s upgrading of the administrative level of the so-called Sansha City and establishment of a new military garrison there covering disputed areas of the East Sea, which run counter to collaborative diplomatic efforts to resolve differences and risk further escalating tensions in the region.

The department urged all parties to take steps to lower tensions in keeping with the spirit of the existing declarations as well as the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea.

The press release was issued following the US Senate’s adoption of a resolution on the East Sea situation. The S.Res.524 resolution calls upon concerned parties to restrain themselves and not carry out activities to complicate the situation or increase conflict possibilities.

MONRE awarded Ho Chi Minh Order

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MONRE) held a meeting in Hanoi on August 5 to mark its 10th anniversary and to receive the Ho Chi Minh Order.

On behalf of the Party and State leaders, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung presented the award to the ministry in recognition of its achievements and contributions to national construction and development.

At the meeting, PM Dung urged the ministry to implement Party and State socio-economic development policies and guidelines, and complete State management institutions and mechanisms, especially the legal system for land, natural resources, the environment, minerals, and the country's sea and islands.

He asked the ministry to improve the effectiveness and quality of monitoring the use and exploitation of natural resources, accelerate the modernization of technology, raise the capacity of meteorological forecasts and climate change observations. and improve the environment to ensure sustainable development.

The ministry should improve information and education related to protecting the environment and natural resources, and deal strictly with violations. It should also strengthen international cooperation and mobilise the international community’s support for protecting Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands in accordance with international laws, PM Dung said.

Greater attention should be given to personnel training to meet national requirements for the new period and prevent negative phenomena of State management of natural resources and the environment.

On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai conferred the Independence Order, second class, to former MONRE Minister Pham Khoi Nguyen.

National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu also presented the current MONRE Minister, Nguyen Minh Quang, with the second class Labour Order.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA