Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke highly of the positive development of Vietnam – Spain strategic partnership during a reception in Hanoi on May 15 for Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam Maria Jesus. 

Minh hailed the Ambassador’s efforts in promoting Vietnam – Spain ties during her first year of tenure. 

Both sides have worked closely together at multilateral forums and international organisations. Spain is now Vietnam’s major trade partner in the European Union with two-way trade of 3.1 billion USD last year. 

The Deputy PM believed that Maria Jesus will actively partner with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to reinforce Vietnam – Spain relations as well as Vietnam – EU ties. 

The host wished that the Spanish government and ambassador would take measures to push forward bilateral trade and investment, especially in clean technology, renewable energy, and environment. 

The Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, ministries and agencies will create favourable conditions for the ambassador to fulfill assigned tasks, he said. 

Maria Jesus, for her part, affirmed that Spain always treasures strengthening ties with Vietnam and wished to launch cooperation mechanisms to continue deepening bilateral strategic partnership. 

She pledged to do her best to cultivate bilateral friendship as well as Vietnam – EU ties during her tenure. 

According to her, Spanish firms are interested in Vietnamese market, focusing on renewable energy and infrastructure. 

Spain will push forward the implementation of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the EU, the signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement to open up new prospects in bilateral trade and investment in the near future.

Following President Ho’s teachings – key political task of public security force

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has asked the entire People’s Public Security force to be well aware that following late President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings is a key political task of each of its units and officers.

He was speaking at a meeting in Hanoi on May 15 which reviewed the five-year implementation of the Ministry of Public Security (MoPS)’s Directive 05 on enhancing public security officers’ studying of and compliance with President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings from 2013 to 2018.

The teachings for are: “For myself, to be a frugal integrity; For the colleagues, to kindly help; For the government, to be absolutely loyal; For the people, to be respectful and polite; For the work, to be devoted; and For the enemy, to be firmly smart against.”

In his speech, PM Phuc said good adherence to the teachings means building a steadfast and humane style for public security officers and a pure and strong public security force that works for the sake of people.

He said there are many good role models in the force, noting that even in peacetime, public security officers still sacrifice to keep political security and social order and safety, and ensure people’s peaceful lives.

In the past five years, 47 officers have laid down their lives while nearly 1,400 others were injured while performing duties, he noted, adding that more than 600,000 collectives and individuals in the force have been honoured with many noble rewards by the Party and the State.

The Government leader said after more than seven decades, the teachings of President Ho Chi Minh remain valuable and are the lodestar of every act and behaviour of public security officers.

The force needs to press ahead with communication activities to improve its officers’ awareness, morality and lifestyle. The entire sector must tighten discipline and step up corruption prevention to build a pure and strong force, thus keeping its role as the key force in the fight against crimes.

It is also necessary to continue fine-tuning mechanism to ensure the Party’s absolute and direct leadership of the force in all aspects, PM Phuc added.

Reporting on the Directive 05 implementation, Deputy Minister of the MoPS Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Van Thanh said the movement “Public security officers study and implement Uncle Ho’s teachings” has been closely associated with the studying and following of Ho Chi Minh’s ideology, moral example and lifestyle. Relevant campaigns and emulation movements in the force have spread, helping encourage officers to fulfill their tasks.

The sector has boosted examination, supervision, communication activities and commendation of role models to promote the implementation of President Ho Chi Minh’s teachings and the following of the late leader’s example, he added.

Wallonie-Bruxelles region cements ties with Vietnam

Cooperation fields between Belgium’s Wallonie-Bruxelles region and Vietnam for the 2019-2021 were the main focus of a seminar held by Wallonie-Bruxelles International (WBI), an agency in charge of international cooperation, in Brussels on May 14.

During the seminar, information about Vietnam’s development situation was provided for nearly 50 delegates from universities and enterprises in Belgium’s French-speaking region, and those who are interested in bilateral relations.

The event was part of preparations for the 10th meeting of the Vietnam – Wallonie-Bruxelles Joint Committee and the Brussels French Community Commission slated for November in Belgium.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Belgium Vu Anh Quang gave participants an insight into Vietnam’s development with numerous investment opportunities.

Speaking highly of achievements in multifaceted cooperation between Vietnamese and Belgian regions and localities, Quang stressed that potential for bilateral collaboration remains huge.

WBI Inspector General highlighted orientations for the 2019-2021 cooperation programme with the focus on post-graduate education and training, culture, legal affairs, environment, economic research and the fourth industrial revolution.

At the seminar, several delegates expressed their wish that Vietnam would grant long-term visas to Belgian experts and simplify its procedures.

Several Belgian partners want to cooperate with Vietnam in higher education.

In 1993, Belgium’s French-speaking community signed the first cooperation agreement with Vietnam and set up its representative office in Hanoi on 1996. In 2002, the cooperation programme was expanded with the participation of Wallonie region and French Community Committee of Brussels.

NA Vice Chairwoman receives Lao youth union delegation

Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Tong Thi Phong received a high-ranking delegation from the Lao People’s Revolutionary Youth Union (LPRYU) led by Secretary of the Union’s Central Committee Alounxai Sounnalath.

Phong lauded the Lao delegation’s visit, while congratulated Alounxai Sounnalath on his elected as the Secretary of the LPRYU’s Central Committee.

She showed her delight at the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos from the central to local levels and among senior leaders as well as socio-political organisations. 

She affirmed that leaders of the two countries always pay great attention for the two youth organisations to foster their cooperation, promoting advantages of the youth in national construction and defence.

The NA Vice Chairman stressed that the Vietnam-Laos relations is an important factor ensuring the growth of each country, a vital part of the revolution in each country, and a priceless treasure made by generations of leaders and soldiers of both countries. 

She suggested that youth unions of Vietnam and Laos should design plans to coordinate activities in disseminating and educating youngsters on the need to inherit, preserve and deepen the two countries’ special relations.

For his part, Alounxai Sounnalath vowed that he will continue working hard to reinforce traditional friendship and solidarity between the two countries as well as the two youth unions in the coming time.

Vietnam Naval Academy ship concludes Cambodia, Thailand visits

The ship Le Quy Don, with 116 crewmembers from the Vietnam Naval Academy, docked in Nha Trang military port on May 15, concluding its visits to Cambodia and Thailand for drills and exchanges with naval forces of the two countries.

According to Colonel Nguyen Duc Nam, Vice Director of the Vietnam Naval Academy and head of the Vietnamese delegation, all targets for the visits were completed safely.

The tour contributed to reinforcing friendship and trust among the naval forces of Vietnam, Cambodia and Thailand, while promoting naval exchange activities among countries for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region.

The tour also helped improve crewmembers’ capacity in tackling situations in reality, while patrolling and reconnaissance activities also helped them gain skills before graduating.

The crewmembers of the ship are Vietnam Naval Academy trainees of the 58th batch.

The ship belongs to the training ship fleet of the Vietnam Naval Academy. It was designed by Poland’s Choren Design & Consulting and built by Marine Projects in 2014. It was launched on June 1, 2015.

Mozambique welcomes Vietnam’s investment: President Filipe Nyusi

Mozambique always supports and encourages Vietnam’s business and investment activities in the country, affirmed Mozambican President Filipe Nyusi.

Hosting Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang who came to present his letter of credentials on May 14, President Filipe Nyusi said that his country treasures and wants to intensify its traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that Vietnam will continue sending experts on agriculture, heath, education to share experience to help boost Mozambique’s socio-economic development.

The President encouraged both sides to strengthen collaboration in mining and natural resources and environmental protection.

He wished Ambassador Hoang a successful working tenure during which he acts as a bridge helping consolidate and develop the two countries’ friendship and cooperation.

The Vietnamese diplomat confirmed Vietnam attaches importance to develop its time-honoured friendship with Mozambique.

He said he hopes for close coordination with the host country’s ministries and sectors so as to enhance bilateral multifaceted cooperation, especially in telecommunications, investment, and trade.

The Ambassador thanked the Mozambican President and the Government for supporting the Vietnamese community to integrate into Mozambique, thus helping tighten friendship between the two peoples.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Mozambique reached about 100 million USD in 2016. Vietnam exports to Mozambique rice, garment and textile, telecom equipment while importing cashew, cotton and wood.