Leaders extend congratulations to Obama

State President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on November 7 congratulated Barack Obama on his re-election as President of the United States.

In a congratulatory message, the two leaders expressed their delight at the important development of Vietnam-US relations during Obama’s first term, especially in politics, economics, science-technology, education-training, defence, security, as well as humanitarian activities.

They said they believe that the bilateral relationship will be further fostered in Obama’s second term for the sake of peace, stability and development in Asia–Pacific and the world.

Uruguay Vice President talks to HCM City companies

Visiting Uruguayan Vice President Danilo Astori expressed his wish for Vietnam to choose Uruguay as a gateway to export goods to the Common Market of South America (MERCOSUR).

Astori co-chaired a seminar on Vietnam-Uruguay business opportunities in the country’s largest city, with the participation of more than 100 Vietnamese enterprises.

The visiting Vice President was joined by representatives of Uruguayan businesses. He provided information on Uruguay’s strengths as well as incentives the country grants to those who invest and do business there.

Astori said he is impressed with the people and city leaders’ achievements, noting that his visit aims to build and deepen bilateral relations.

He spoke of his wish that in the future, more Uruguayan businesses will arrive in HCM City to seek investment opportunities. Uruguay welcomes Vietnamese businesses to invest in his country, he added.

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan said that Uruguay and HCM City see great investment potential.

He has expressed that Uruguayan Vice President Danilo Astori’s visit will stimulate trade and investment between Uruguay and the city.

He affirmed that the city will do its utmost to foster all-around ties between the two countries.

On the day, Vietnam and Uruguay issued a joint press announcement on Uruguayan Vice President Danilo Astori’s visit to Vietnam.

Cuban party official visits Vietnam

Le Hong Anh, Politburo Member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee (CPVCC)’s Secretariat, hosted a reception for Jose Ramon Balaguer, Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC)’s Central Committee in Hanoi on November 7.

Anh highly valued the CPC delegation’s visit to Vietnam and its attendance at the first theoretical workshop between the two Parties held on November 5-6.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, he extended regards to the Cuban people hit by storm Sandy.

He expressed his deep belief that under the leadership of the CPC, Cuba will overcome difficulties and challenges and gain great achievements with the new socio-economic development model.

Balaguer, who is also Head of the CPCCC’s International Relations Department, said he is delighted with the two Parties and the two countries’ development.

He declared Cuba’s hope and determination to further strengthen bilateral friendship and cooperation in the near future.

Both officials agreed to continue fostering exchange and experience sharing between the two Parties, contributing to improving the leadership capacity of each Party, and successfully building socialism in Vietnam and Cuba.

The Cuban guest was also received by Politburo Member Hoang Binh Quan, and head of the CPVCC’s External Relations Commission.

The two sides exchanged views on regional and international issues and discussed measures to intensify the traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and peoples.

Vietnam, New Zealand forge closer ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung affirmed that Vietnam wants to bring the ties with New Zealand in all aspects to a higher level.

At a reception for New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Hanoi on November 7, PM Dung suggested that Vietnam and New Zealand boost cooperation in politics, diplomacy, trade, investment, education and defence as well as support each other at UN and regional forums.

He also asked for New Zealand’s continued support for Vietnam’s standpoint in the East Sea issue, especially ASEAN’s six-point principle on the East Sea .

The PM thanked New Zealand for providing ODA for Vietnam and expressed wish to receive more in the future. He also said he hopes that New Zealand will grant more scholarships to Vietnamese students.

Murray McCully told his host that he had successful talks with Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh, from which the two sides reached a number of measures to foster bilateral ties broadly and more effectively.

He said meetings and exchanges of delegations at all levels are important to the relations between New Zealand and Vietnam, especially in economics, trade, education and training.

Vietnam revitalises ties with New Zealand

Cooperating with South Pacific countries, including New Zealand, is of key importance to Vietnam, said Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh while receiving his New Zealand counterpart Murray McCully in Hanoi on November 7.

In reply, McCully said New Zealand considers Vietnam as one of its most promising partners in the Asia–Pacific region. He pledged to maintain the provision of official development assistance for the country.

The two sides agreed to hold a Joint Trade and Economic Commission meeting and adopt a double taxation avoidance agreement to bump bilateral trade over the 1 billion USD mark by 2015.

They consented to maintain the exchange of high-ranking delegations and boost cooperation in security, national defence, agriculture, processing industry, energy, timber and mineral exploration, milk production and processing, beverages, law, education – training, tourism, labour and people-to-people exchange to match the bilateral relations.

Both host and guest pledged to work closely to implement the Vietnam–New Zealand Action Plan for the 2010 – 2013 period, in time for the 40 th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties in 2015.

Discussing issues of mutual concern, the two FMs agreed to support each other at the United Nations, East Asia Summit and the Asia–Europe Meeting, and during the TPP negotiation.

Italy, Vietnam share experience in religious affairs

A delegation of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs is on a visit to Italy from November 4-9 to learn about Italian religious affairs and state management on the issue.

While in Italy, the delegation met with Savio Hon Tai Fai, Secretary of the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples, Vatican City; Bishop Filippo Iannone, Vice Gerent of the diocese of Rome; Undersecretary of State for Internal Affairs, Saverio Ruperto; Vatican Secretary for Relations with States, Archbishop Dominique Mamberti; and Vatican Undersecretary for Relations with States, Ettore Balestrero.

The delegation also visited Bambino Gesu Hospital.

At a working session with Undersecretary Ruperto, the two sides discussed policies related to religious affairs and the current situation in each country.

The delegation will meet with Benedict XVI on November 7.

VNN/VOV/VNA