PM has high hope for stronger Vietnam-Poland economic links

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Polish Ambassador Wojciech Gerwel in Hanoi on October 31 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Polish Ambassador Wojciech Gerwel in Hanoi on October 31, noting that having served as a trade counsellor in Vietnam for many years, the diplomat will bring bilateral economic and trade ties to a new level.

Ambassador Gerwel expressed his honour to assume this position, saying that his experience in Vietnam will help promote the two countries’ relations.

Highlighting his special sentiment towards Vietnam, he said the Vietnamese community, including students, in Poland is a bridge helping to intensify bilateral connections.

With regard to priorities during his term, Gerwel said he will prioritise enhancing cooperation in politics, economy, education-training and culture with Vietnam. He expressed his wish for closer coordination between the Polish Embassy and ministries, sectors and localities of Vietnam.

Stressing economic ties, the diplomat said his country is strong in agriculture, food and pharmaceutical production, shipbuilding and mining, so it wants to step up partnerships in these spheres.

Poland has established a trade office in Vietnam and this is one of the first overseas representative offices of the Polish Investment and Trade Agency, showing the importance his country attaches to economic links with the Southeast Asian nation, he noted.

Ambassador Gerwel expressed his belief that the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) will take effect soon. He added LOT Polish Airlines, the national flag carrier of Poland, plans to open a direct air route to Vietnam, and this route will help shorten the two countries’ distance and facilitate tourism cooperation.

At the meeting, PM Phuc pledged the best possible conditions for the ambassador to promote collaboration with Vietnamese ministries, sectors and localities.

There remains much room for trade ties, he said, noting that bilateral trade is able to rise strongly from the current revenue of over 1 billion USD.

He asked Poland to promote the signing and ratification of the EVFTA. The two sides should also work closely to disburse the preferential credit package of 250 million EUR that Poland pledged for Vietnam.

The Government leader also applauded the planned opening of a direct air route, saying he believes that it will help bolster investment, tourism and cultural exchange between the two countries.

PM: Government backs Vietnamese-Japanese locality cooperation

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) shakes hands with Toshizo Ido, Governor of Japan's Hyogo prefecture 

The Vietnamese Government has always paid due attention to and promoted cooperation between Vietnamese localities and Japanese counterparts, including Hyogo prefecture, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

While hosting a delegation from Hyogo prefecture led by its Governor Toshizo Ido in Hanoi on October 31, PM Phuc applauded the delegation’s visit as the Vietnam-Japan strategic partnership is thriving and the two nations are celebrating the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties.

In reply, Ido said that this is the third time he has visited Vietnam and he was happy to witness positive changes in the country’s infrastructure systems.

He informed the PM that during its visit, the delegation will work with many Vietnamese localities, particularly Ho Chi Minh City and Ha Nam province, in order to promote trade and investment cooperative relations.

Some 70 companies of Hyogo are investing in Vietnam, while many other small- and medium-sized enterprises from the prefecture are looking to do business in the country, he added.

Ido expressed his belief that a large number of Vietnamese currently living in Hyogo prefecture would work as a bridge to foster its cooperative ties with Vietnamese provinces and cities.

The governor said Hyogo also wants to enhance human resources cooperation with Vietnam, and voiced his hope that Vietnamese students will enrol in the upcoming international business courses in the prefecture.

PM Phuc lauded Ido’s proposals and expected that Hyogo prefecture will bolster collaboration with Vietnamese localities in the fields where it boasts strengths and Vietnam has demands.

The Vietnamese Government will create optimal conditions for Japanese businesses to invest in the country, he promised.

The PM suggested the prefecture join hands with Vietnam in personnel training and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students to join the prefecture’s business courses.

He also asked Hyogo to increase people-to-people exchanges with Vietnamese provinces and cities to enhance mutual understanding, along with opening direct air routes to boost tourism cooperation.

Hyogo prefecture has cooperative ties with five Vietnamese localities, namely Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, Long An, Can Tho and Ha Nam provinces. It is home to the sixth largest number of Vietnamese people living, studying and working in Japan.

The prefecture is known for its manufacturing industry, medical equipment and pharmaceuticals, as well as heavy industries such as shipbuilding, power and machinery production, marine shipping, foodstuff, garments-textiles and jewellery.

Hanoi, Berlin look to foster all-round cooperation

Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung (R) and Chairman of Lichtenberg, Michael Grunst (Source: http://hanoimoi.com.vn)

Hanoi attaches importance to cooperation projects in climate change adaptation and environmental protection between its Hoan Kiem district and Lichtenberg district of Berlin, Germany, said Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung.

The Hanoi official made the statement during a reception on October 31 for Michael Grunst, Chairman of Lichtenberg district who is leading a delegation to Hanoi to explore cooperation opportunities with the Vietnamese capital city. 

The municipal authority is interested in these areas of cooperation, and always supports and appreciates the expansion of twin relations between Vietnamese and German localities, Chung said. 

He affirmed that Hanoi always welcome German businesses to invest in and cooperate with those from Hanoi. 

For his part, Michael Grunst applauded environmental projects of Hanoi, including those to plant 1 million trees in the 2016-2020. 

He briefed his guest on cooperation between Lichtenberg and Hoan Kiem based on an agreement signed in 2015 between the two sides, expressing his hope that the Hanoi authority will support and facilitate the two localities’ multi-faceted collaboration in the time to come. 

He stressed that apart from cooperation in combating climate change, the two sides should to expand their collaboration in other fields such as tourism and trade.

Bangladeshi, Kazakh leaders congratulate Vietnamese President

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong delivers his inaugural speech on October 23 

Leaders of Bangladesh and Kazakhstan have congratulated General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on his election as President of Vietnam.

President Abdul Hamid and Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina of Bangladesh sent congratulatory messages to President Trong.

Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbayev also offered congratulations to the Vietnamese President.

[Photos: Party chief Nguyen Phu Trong elected as State President]

The Party leader was elected President of Vietnam for the 2016-2021 tenure on October 23 during the sixth session of the 14th National Assembly.

Lao leaders value ties between LPRP, CPV’s inspection agencies

LPRP General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith (R) receives head of the CPV Central Committee's Inspection Commission Tran Cam Tu in Vientiane on October 31 

Top leaders of Laos spoke highly of cooperation between the Inspection Commissions of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committees while receiving head of the CPV commission Tran Cam Tu in Vientiane on October 31.

Tu, who is also Secretary of the CPV Central Committee, was welcomed by LPRP General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Vorachith and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith. He has been on a working visit at the invitation of head of the LPRP Central Committee’s Inspection Commission Bounthong Chithmany, who is also Politburo member, Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee, Deputy Prime Minister, and Inspector General of the Lao Government’s Inspectorate.

At the meeting, the Vietnamese official conveyed his sympathy over heavy losses caused by the hydropower dam break in Attapeu province and by floods in some Lao provinces recently. He voiced his belief that under the LPRP’s leadership, those affected will soon be able to overcome the consequences, resume economic activities, and restabilise their lives.

Reporting on the outcomes of talks between the two inspection commissions earlier the same day, Tu said they reviewed bilateral cooperation outcomes and discussed cooperation directions for the coming time.

Accordingly, they agreed to push ahead with the current collaboration mechanism under their Parties’ cooperation plan for 2016-2021. The commissions will increase the exchange of experience in examining and monitoring the adherence to Party rules, executing disciplinary measures, fighting corruption, and building a contingent of personnel, he added.

Valuing the visit’s importance, the Lao leaders applauded the partnership between the two inspection agencies, asking them to enhance coordination and experience sharing so that bilateral ties become increasingly more effective in helping to perform tasks assigned by the Parties, States, and people of Laos and Vietnam.

They also asked the Vietnamese side to continue assisting Laos in training party inspection personnel.

LPRP General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith also thanked the timely and enormous support of the Vietnamese Party, State, and people over the years, especially in aiding victims of the hydropower dam break in Attapeu province last July.

Later on the same day, the Vietnamese delegation had a working session with Politburo member, Secretary, and Mayor of Vientiane capital city Sinlavong Khutphaythoun.

Vietnamese, Lao Party inspection agencies look to foster ties

The Inspection Commissions of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee held talks in Vientiane on October 31 

The Inspection Commissions of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) Central Committee held talks in Vientiane on October 31.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Tran Cam Tu, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Inspection Commission, while the Lao delegation was headed by Bounthong Chithmany, Politburo member, Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee, and head of its Inspection Commission.

Chithmany, who is also Deputy Prime Minister of Laos, urged the two sides to continue implementing the memorandum of understanding on cooperation for 2016-2021, enhancing the exchange of delegations and experience sharing at all levels, especially those from border localities. 

He proposed Vietnam continue to help Laos train its officials in the fields of Party inspection, State inspection, and anti-corruption in 2019 and the following years. 

For his part, Tu affirmed that the CPV Central Committee’s Inspection Commission will work closely with its Lao counterpart to effectively implement high-level agreements between the two Parties, as well as a cooperation agreement between the two inspection agencies. These efforts will further promote the traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, he said.

Tu congratulated Laos on the great achievements made by the Lao Party, State, and people during over the past 30 years of renewal as well as the important achievements in domestic and foreign affairs, highlighting their significance in contributing to Laos’ national protection and development. 

At the talks, the two sides shared experience and valuable lessons in the fight against corruption, stressing that monitoring, supervision, and corruption prevention is a very important task for both parties. 

They stressed the need to promote exchanges and experience sharing between the inspection, supervision, and anti-corruption agencies of the CPV and LPRP.

The two sides also agreed to continue implementing the current cooperation mechanism under the cooperation plan between the two Parties for the 2016-2021 period. 

As planned, during their three-day working visit to Laos, the Vietnamese delegation will pay courtesy visits to LPRP General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith and Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith, as well as working with leaders of Vientiane and Bolikhamsay province.

Vietnamese, Cambodian localities intensify people-to-people exchange

The meeting on people-to-people exchange between Dak Lak and Mondulkiri provinces on October 31 

Vietnam’s Central Highlands province of Dak Lak and Cambodia’s Mondulkiri have agreed to maintain their friendship, support each other in socio-economic development, and work together to improve the living standards of their border residents. 

The consensus was reached during an exchange programme held in Buon Ma Thuot city, Dak Lak province, on October 31.

The two sides also consented to share experience and solutions on encouraging their residents to observe border regulations and join hands in poverty reduction. 

They will organise regular cultural and sports exchange programmes, as well as activities to set up relations between the residential areas of the two localities. 

Addressing the conference, H’Kim Hoa Bya, head of the mass communication board under the Dak Lak provincial Party Committee, said the two provinces have shared experience in socio-economic and cultural development, as well as national defence and security through various programmes and activities. 

She described the long-standing relationship as a valuable asset of both sides, and expressed her hopes that they will step up people-to-people diplomacy and the exchange of experience in mass communication. 

The official also called for greater joint efforts in combating crimes and enhancing solidarity and friendship between the two provinces in the era of integration. 

Men Nguy, Chairman of the People’s Council of Mondulkiri, conveyed his beliefs that the bilateral relationship will be strengthened for the stability, peace, friendship, and development of border areas in the two localities. 

On October 30, representatives from the two provinces engaged in cultural and art activities, as well folk games and facility visits around Dak Lak.

Coast guard forces of Vietnam, China hold second working conference

The second conference of the coast guard forces of Vietnam and China is taking place at Vung Tau, the southern coastal city of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, on October 31.

The event, co-chaired by Commander of Vietnam Coast Guard Nguyen Van Son and Deputy Director General of China’s Coast Guard Department Chen Yide, aims to review bilateral cooperation since the first conference and decide directions for joint work in the time ahead.

The two sides agreed that their past collaboration has seen big leaps in the right direction and produced practical outcomes, thanks to both sides’ serious implementation of agreed contents, thus contributing to maintaining peace, stability and mutual development in the two countries' adjacent waters.

They reached consensus on further tightening their cooperation, enhancing the sharing of information on law enforcement at sea, search and rescue work, and coordinating closely in handling fishery incidents at sea.

The coast guard forces of Vietnam and China signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in June 2016. At their first joint conference held in August 28 the same year, the two sides agreed to establish links to share information on crime at sea, fishery activities of fishermen of both countries, and search and rescue at sea. They also concurred to organise mutual friendship visits and exchanges of young officers and increase the number of joint fishery petrol from one time to twice each year.