Lithuania to promote investment in Vietnam

The new Lithuanian ambassador to Vietnam said the priority in her term of office is to promote investment between the two countries, in particular investment in transport infrastructure.

During her meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in Hanoi on Feb 21, Ambassador Lina Antanavicinene also affirmed that Lithuania attaches importance to economic, trade and investment cooperation with Vietnam.

PM Dung said two-way trade between the two countries, at 40 million USD, is too low compared to their potential. He suggested that Vietnam and Lithuania develop an agreement on bilateral cooperation and establish an inter-governmental mechanism to promote ties in specific fields, especially transport infrastructure, education-training and science-technology.

Dung also said the two countries should continue to support each other at international forums and promote the relations between Vietnam and the European Union.

Foreign Minister receives ILO director in Vietnam

Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh received the Director of the International Labour Organization (ILO) Office in Vietnam, Gyorgy Sziraczki, who presented his credentials in Hanoi on February 21.

Minh highly valued the effective cooperation with the ILO in Vietnam, saying that the organization has significantly helped Vietnam in building its labour policy and ensuring social welfare.

He said he hopes that the two sides will complete and sign a national cooperation program for the 2012-2016 period.

The Foreign Minister also called on the ILO to continue contributing ideas for the One UN Initiative in Vietnam.

He affirmed that, as an official member of the ILO Governing Body in the 2011-2014 term, the Vietnamese Government will create favourable conditions for ILO activities in the country.

Sziraczki pledged to do his best to strengthen cooperation between the ILO and Vietnam, with a focus on the national program for 2012-2016.

President meets newly accredited ambassadors

President Sang receives Indonesian ambassador Mayerfas.
State President Truong Tan Sang met with newly accredited ambassadors of Uruguay, Indonesia, Myanmar, Brazil, Bolivia and Lithuania in Hanoi on Feb. 21, as they presented their credentials.

Receiving Uruguayan Ambassador Carlos Maria Irigaray Santana, President Sang expressed his belief that the traditional friendship will be an important foundation to further boost relations between the two countries in all fields.

Ambassador Santana expressed hope that the two nations will expand political, cultural, educational, agricultural and forestry cooperation.

Meeting Indonesian Ambassador Mayerfas, President Sang said that Vietnam and Indonesia are looking towards building strategic cooperation, an important condition to boost trade ties between the two countries.

The Indonesian Ambassador expressed his wish to actively contribute to boosting bilateral ties within ASEAN as well as in the world.

In the reception for Myanmar Ambassador Thet Oo, President Sang said that Vietnam is always a sincere friend and ready to support Myanmar.

The Myanmar Ambassador expressed his hope that his country will receive assistance from the Vietnamese Government and other sectors to boost relations between the two countries, especially on political and economic issues.

Receiving Brazilian Ambassador Victoria Alice Clearver, the state leader said that Vietnam supports Brazil to become a permanent member of the expanded UN Security Council. He said the two countries should expand cooperation in economy and trade.

Ambassador Clearver shared the same view on the potential to develop relations between the two countries. She promised to try her best during her term of office in Vietnam.

Meeting with Bolivian Ambassador Gullermo Chalup Liendo, President Sang agreed with the ambassador on the enhancement of trade cooperation between the two countries. He said the creation of a framework agreement will help step up economic and trade cooperation.

Meeting with Lithuanian Ambassador Lina Antanavicinene, President Sang highlighted the fine traditional friendship between the two countries from the time of the former Soviet Union. He expressed his belief that the two countries will sign cooperative economic agreements to further enhance economic ties.
Ambassador Antanavicinene said that besides economic relations, the two sides need to boost exchanges of high-level delegations to increase cooperation in culture and sports.

French military leader visits in friendship, information exchange

Senior Lt Gen Do Ba Ty, chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army and Deputy Minister of National Defence, yesterday received French Navy Admiral Edouard Guillaud, chief of Defence Staff who is currently on a three-day visit to Viet Nam.

The two sides exchanged information about their respective countries and issues of mutual concern to boost friendship and understanding between their militaries and peoples.

They also reached an agreement on visit and work exchanges by military delegations from both countries, improving co-operation in education and training and military equipment. Their agreement also mentioned maintaining effective implementation of the annual meeting of the Viet Nam-France Joint Committee on National Defence Co-operation and contributing to the celebrations of the 40th year of relations between the two countries.

Admiral Guillaud also gave a salute to Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA