Vietnam, Russia strengthen military cooperation    

Deputy Defence Minister, Lieutenant-General Truong Quang Khanh met V. K. Dzirkaln, Deputy Director of the Russia Federal Agency on Military Cooperation in Hanoi on November 8.

During the meeting, both Khanh and Dzirkaln - who are also heads of each country’s Subcommittee under the Russia-Vietnam Committee of Military Technology Cooperation - confirmed their determination to implement agreements reached during President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Russia in July and the recent visit of Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to Vietnam, as well as the 14 th meeting of the Russia-Vietnam Committee of Military Technology Cooperation in October.

They shared the view that military cooperation is one of the important pillars in the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries, which always receives the special attention of leaders in both nations.

The two sides pointed out the strengths, as well as the shortcomings, in the cooperation process in order to seek effective measures to further promote the quality and efficiency of bilateral military cooperation between Vietnam and Russia.

Chair of Russia’s Upper House to visit Vietnam

The Chair of the Council of the Federal Assembly (Upper House) of the Russian Federation, V.I Matviyenko, will pay an official visit to November 13-14.

His visit is being made at the invitation of Vietnam’s Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung, reported the NA’s Committee for External Relations on November 11.

Iranian President to visit Vietnam

Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad will pay an official visit to Vietnam from November 9-10, the Foreign Ministry said on November 8.

The visit is being made at an invitation by President Truong Tan Sang, the ministry further said.

CPV sends congratulations to 18th Congress of CPC

On the occasion of the opening of the 18 th Congress of the Communist Party of China (CPC) on November 8, the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV)’s Central Committee has sent a telegram of congratulations to the Congress.

The message read:

“As the 18 th CPC Congress opened in China’s capital city of Beijing on November 8, on behalf of the CPV and Vietnamese people, we send the warmest congratulations to the Congress, and through the Congress to all CPC members and fraternal Chinese people.

We are deeply pleased with the great achievements the CPC and Chinese people have made over the past years, and firmly believe that on the basis of summing up experiences and lessons, the 18 th Congress – an event of important historical significance in the political life of the entire Party and people of China will put forth important decisions to foster the building of socialism with Chinese characteristics to a new stage of development, creating firm foundations for the Chinese people to successfully fulfil their goal of comprehensively building a prosperous society by 2020.

Vietnam and China are neighbours sharing mountains and rivers. The CPV and CPC have possessed close relations since they were first established, and through long-term challenges in the revolutionary cause of the two peoples, the people of both countries boast their long-time, traditional and friendly sentiment.

The Vietnamese Party, State and people, consistently before and after, attach importance to the ‘both comrades and brothers’ relationship with their Chinese Party, State and people.

We believe that with the motto ‘friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability and looking towards the future’ and the spirit of ‘good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners’ as defined by the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperation partnership will be incessantly consolidated and developed for the benefit of the two peoples, for the success of socialism, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

May the 18 th Congress of the CPC be every successful."

Laos asked to further review hydropower impacts

Vietnam hopes Laos will continue its research on the environmental impacts and perfect the design of Xayaburi Dam on the Mekong River.

Vietnamese Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson Luong Thanh Nghi made the statement at a regular press briefing in Hanoi on November 8 when answering a question about Vietnam’s viewpoint on the construction of Xayaburi dam in Laos.

Nghi added that he wishes Laos will work with Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand in conducting an overall, careful and comprehensive research on cumulative impacts on the environment, economics and society that all hydro-power plants expected to be built on the mainstream of Mekong River would have.

He added that Vietnam expressed its viewpoint of taking the general management and sustainable development of the river into consideration while building hydro-power works on the Mekong River at its discussions with Laos and International Mekong River Commission member countries.

The fair and reasonable exploitation and use of natural resources, especially Mekong River water source, is of significance, and it is important to ensure the sustainable development of the Mekong River basin for the common benefits of riverside countries and locals living in the area, said Nghi.

Vietnam asks for NZ’s support in TPP negotiation

Vietnam hopes to receive continued support and assistance from New Zealand during the negotiation of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) Agreement, said Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc while receiving New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Murray McCully in Hanoi on November 8.

Phuc also suggested that the two countries should continue fostering cooperation in specific areas such as defence-security, economics, trade, investment, agro-forestry-fishery, education-training, labour, culture and tourism.

McCully’s visit will contribute to lifting the two countries’ relations to a higher level, said the Deputy PM, adding that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wants to beef up the comprehensive cooperation with New Zealand.

In reply, the diplomat said that his country always appreciates the cooperative ties with Vietnam, expressing his hope that the two sides will continue reinforcing the bilateral cooperation in trade, investment, education and training in the coming time.

Laos presents Issara Order to Vietnamese officials

Four units and two senior officials of southern Binh Phuoc province have been awarded the Lao State’s Freedom (Issara) order for their contributions to fostering the Vietnam-Laos special relationship.

By authorisation of the Lao President, visiting Deputy Governor of Savannakhet province Khamphoi Thanthachon on November 7 presented the second-class Issara Order to the provincial Party Committee, People’s Committee, Vietnam Fatherland Front and Department of External Affairs.

Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Nguyen Tan Hung received the second-class Freedom Order, and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, Truong Tan Thieu, the third class.

There are 13 units and 10 individuals in Binh Phuoc and Phu Yen provinces and Can Tho city presented with the Lao State’s Issara Order this occasion. This is one of the activities marking the Vietnam-Lao Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012 and the 50 th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

VNN/VOV/VNA