Vietnam, Cambodia prepare for border meeting

Senior Vietnamese and Cambodian officials gathered in HCM City on March 8 to prepare for the 7th Meeting on Cooperation and Development between their border provinces. 

Photo: VOV

They agreed on a cooperative orientation between the two sides, contents of documents and a joint statement of the upcoming meeting.

Officials also reviewed cooperative results between ministries, branches and localities in border provinces of the two countries from August 2010 until now and discussed measures to solve difficulties in implementing the cooperation.

The meeting adopted an orientation to promote cooperation in many fields, to match the future needs of the two countries’ border localities.

FM affirms closer Vietnam-Cambodia ties

Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has reaffirmed Vietnam’s policy of strengthening ties with Cambodia, especially when the neighbouring country takes over the ASEAN chair in 2012.

While receiving Ung Sean, Cambodian Foreign Affairs Secretary of State, in Ho Chi Minh City on March 8, Minh expressed his delight at the recent development of bilateral friendship and comprehensive cooperation in all fields, including trade and investment.

He highly valued the cooperation between the two foreign ministries in implementing signed agreements, which he said has contributed to consolidating the traditional relations between Vietnam and Cambodia.

He also proposed that the two ministries further foster cooperation to celebrate the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year 2012 and the 45^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

** On March 6-7, a Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy FM Pham Quang Vinh worked with a Cambodian delegation led by Sean Ung to review recent bilateral cooperation, and discuss regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Both sides agreed to work closer together to implement the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year, and affirmed that the cooperation demonstrates mutual understanding and contributes to developing bilateral friendship.

Vietnam grateful for UNIDO assistance

Vietnam wants to cooperate with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) to implement its economic restructuring process, especially in building policies to develop detailed industries of standard, environmental protection, chemical management and human resources training.

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai made the remark during a meeting with UNIDO Executive Director Wilfried Luetkenhorst in Hanoi on March 8. UNIDO’s global Industrial Development Report, which was recently launched in Vietnam, is a valuable resource for Vietnam, he said.

In response, Luetkenhorst said that Vietnam is among UNIDO’s important partners and that the country has gained progress in industrial development, which was represented in the report.

The two sides exchanged ideas about the challenges facing development as well as how to attract investment to high-value-added industries and solve human resources issues.

Vietnam, Italy should strengthen ties: Defence Minister

Defence Minister, General Phung Quang Thanh has proposed Vietnamese and Italian defence ministries to further strengthen friendship and cooperation for mutual benefit.

Speaking at a March 8 reception for Lieutenant General Claudio Debertolis, General Secretary of the Ministry of Defence and Director of National Armaments Directorate of Italy in Hanoi, General Thanh said bilateral cooperation will also contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Claudio Debertolis informed Thanh of results of his working session with Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh, which focused on regional and international situations and measures to foster the Vietnam-Italy bilateral defence cooperation.

Claudio Debertolis and his delegation laid a wreath in tribute to the late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA