Vietnam People’s Navy honoured

The High Command of the Vietnam Navy on May 7 held a ceremony in central Khanh Hoa Province to celebrate the 58th anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam People’s Navy (VPN), which dates back to May 7, 1955.

Addressing the ceremony held on Song Tu Tay island of Truong Sa island district, Rear Admiral Dinh Gia That, Political Commissar of the VPN, stressed that the event is of significance for naval officers and soldiers as it recounts the glorious traditions of their predecessors who built and developed the force over 50 years.

He said that firmly protecting national sovereignty over sea and islands as well as continental shelves is the honourable responsibility of the whole nation, of which, the Vietnam People’s Navy plays a crucial role.

On the pathway of development, the VPN has been honoured for its remarkable records and victories, with a number of rewards, including the title of Hero of the people’s armed forces, Golden Star Order, Ho Chi Minh Order, among others.

On this occasion, a stronger call was made to improve staff awareness of their duties so that they will exert more efforts to modernise the people’s navy to protect national sovereignty over sea and islands, therefore contributing to maintaining peace, stability and friendship with neighbouring countries.

Prime Minister receives WB Vice President

PM Nguyen Tan Dung meets WB East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice President Axel van Trotsenburg in Hanoi on May 7. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnamese Government will closely cooperate with the World Bank (WB) in disbursing and improving the efficient use of the bank’s aid, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has said.

Dung made the affirmation at a reception for visiting WB East Asia and Pacific Regional Vice President Axel van Trotsenburg in Hanoi on May 7.

During the meeting, the PM highlighted the positive development of the Vietnam-WB relationship, and expressed gratitude to the WB for aid programmes and practical policy consultation it has given to Vietnam over the past time.

He said he hopes that the WB will continue support for Vietnam’s socio-economic and infrastructure development, human resources training and poverty reduction while giving more practical and effective policy consultations to the country.

For his part, Axel van Trotsenburg, who is on a Vietnam visit from May 6-9, affirmed that the bank will continue granting Vietnam a financial resource as much as possible in order to help the country achieve its socio-economic goals.

He suggested the two sides close coordinate with each other in disbursing the WB’s aid at the highest level.

The WB Vice President also pledged that his bank will always stand side by side with Vietnam, especially in providing policy consultations relating to stabilising macro-economy and maintaining growth.

The bank is willing to assist Vietnam in accessing capital resources and promoting public-private partnership as well as in new cooperation areas that Vietnam has demand, he added.

UNDP-funded project promotes legislative information exchange

A project funded by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) was launched in Hanoi on May 7 to enhance the exchange of information among Vietnamese legislative bodies.

Carried out by the National Assembly Standing Committee’s Institute for Legislative Research, the US$1.7 million project will provide information and in-depth studies for the National Assembly, including its committees and deputies.

It is also expected to assist in amending a number of laws, including those on the organisation of the National Assembly, People’s Councils, People’s Committees and Government.

The project will assist the Judicial Committee’s activities regarding the laws on the organisation of the People’s Court, People’s Procuracy and criminal investigation agencies, criminal procedures and anti-corruption laws.

Louise Chamberlain, UNDP Country Director in Vietnam, said the three-year project will help turn more law initiatives into projects.

PM to visit Russia, Belarus

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will pay official visits to the Russian Federation from May 12-15 and the Republic of Belarus from May 15-17, announced the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on May 7.

Dung’s visits are made at the invitation of Russian Prime Minister D. Medvedev and Belarusian Prime Minister M. Myasnikovich.

Project helps legislative bodies exchange information

A project to enhance the exchange of information among Vietnamese legislative bodies was launched in Hanoi on May 7.

Carried out by the National Assembly Standing Committee’s Institute for Legislative Research under the auspices of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the 1.7 million USD project will run from now until 2015 while Vietnam is perfecting law systems, building a law-governed State, renovating operations of judicial agencies and increasing the legislature’s efficiency.

The project will provide information and in-depth studies for the National Assembly, including its committees and deputies.

It is also expected to assist in amending a number of laws, including those on the organisation of the National Assembly, People’s Councils, People’s Committees and Government.

Besides, it will assist the Judicial Committee’s activities regarding the laws on the organisation of the People’s Court, People’s Procuracy and criminal investigation agencies, criminal procedures and anti-corruption laws.

Louise Chamberlain, UNDP Country Director in Vietnam, said the project will help turn more law initiatives into projects.

Congratulations to Malaysia’s Barisan National

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on May 6 sent a message of congratulations to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak, leader of the ruling Barisan National (BN), on the BN’s victory in the 13 th general election in Malaysia on May 5.

The BN won 133 seats in the parliament (59.91 percent) while the opposition three-party Pakatan Rakyat (PR) alliance ended with 89 seats.

Razak on May 6 was officially sworn in as Malaysia’s Prime Minister following the BN’s victory.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA