Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung hosted a reception for State Secretary of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia Davaasuren Damdinsuren in Hanoi on May 18.

At the meeting, Trung highly spoke of the development of cooperation between Vietnam and Mongolia since the two countries set up diplomatic ties in 1954 as well as Mongolia’s support for Vietnam’s struggle for national independence.

In 2019, Vietnam and Mongolia will celebrate the 65th anniversary of their diplomatic ties, the Deputy FM said, adding that since the establishment of the diplomatic ties, the two countries have seen active cooperation in multiple fields. Particularly, there has been regular exchange of students between the two sides, he noted.

The two nations see huge potential for fostering bilateral cooperation in economy and trade, he said. suggesting the governments of Vietnam and Mongolia create more favourable conditions for businesses from both sides to meet and seek partnerships.

For his part, the Mongolian official said his country wants the bilateral ties to expand further and produce more practical outcomes in many fields.

He noted his visit aims to learn from Vietnam’s experience in developing and implementing free trade agreements. He stressed that the visit has been very effective as it has helped improve awareness of the bilateral cooperation in recent years. 

He highlighted the trade relations between Vietnam and Mongolia, which have seen positive developments with mutual visits by the two countries’ ministries and agencies to discuss issues of mutual interest. He also hoped for closer coordination between the two sides at international forums.

Condolences to Palestine over casualties in Gaza Strip conflict

Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang has sent a message of condolences to President of the State of Palestine Mahmoud Abbas over the deaths and injuries of many Palestinians in the conflict in the Gaza Strip on May 14.

Earlier, the Foreign Ministry’s spokeswoman Le Thi Thu Hang said Vietnam kept a close watch on and was concerned about the escalating violence in the Gaza Strip, which left many Palestinians dead and injured. 

While answering reporters’ question regarding Vietnam’s reaction to increasing conflicts in the Gaza Strip between Israeli security forces and Palestinian people, Hang said: “Vietnam calls on the concerned parties to exercise restraint, handle conflicts through peaceful measures and create favourable conditions for negotiations as well as international efforts to reach comprehensive, equitable and sustainable solutions, ensuring legitimate interests of the parties, and regional peace and stability.” 

She stressed Vietnam’s stance that all solutions related to Jerusalem should adhere to international law, especially resolutions of the United Nations, with consensus of related parties. 

“Vietnam maintains the consistent position of supporting the just struggle of the Palestinian people and the two-State solution with the establishment of a State of Palestine that co-exists in peace with the State of Israel along the pre-1967 border and with East Jerusalem as the capital of the Palestine,” the spokeswoman said.

Vietnam ready to share experience in legislation with Laos

The National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam is willing to coordinate closely with the Laos’ NA to share information and experience in legislation as well as implementing the function of supervising and deciding important issues of each country.

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong made the statement during her meeting with Lao National Assembly Vice Chairman Somphanh Phengkhammy in Hanoi on May 17.

Phong said that the NA of Vietnam will continue working with the Lao side to supervise the implementation of cooperation programmes reached by senior leaders of both countries.

She also congratulated Lao people on the achievements that they have reached over the past years.

For his part, Somphanh Phengkhammy briefed his host on outcomes of his visit as well as his working with the deputy delegation and the People’s Council of the port city of Hai Phong, during which the two sides discussed measures to enhance the operation capacity of the elective agencies in localities.

Showing his delight at the development of the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Laos and Vietnam in all fields, Somphanh Phengkhammy expressed his wish to further foster the relations and friendship between the legislative bodies of both countries.

Later the same day, Somphanh Phengkhammy and the Lao delegation had a working session with the NA Committee for Deputy Affairs on the process on conducting of a confidence vote for personnel elected and approved by the NA and provincial People’s Council.

PM urges Quang Tri to improve administration for people, businesses

Quang Tri should improve its administration for the sake of local people and businesses, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at a working session with the central province’s authorities on May 17.

At the function, Phuc praised the province’s achievements and its determination for growth despite difficulties. 

The PM said the province has recorded good outcomes in distribution of compensations for people affected by the environmental incident, helping them recover their production.

As heard at the session, Quang Tri grew seven percent last year and posted upbeat growth in the first quarter of 2018. It was ranked 11th among 63 provinces and cities in administrative reform index in 2017, up three places from 2016. 

PM Phuc said he wants Quang Tri to continue its efforts to further develop on the current achievements while suggesting the province select potential sectors with competitive advantages for sustainable growth and investment attraction.

He urged it to step up poverty alleviation for inclusive growth with no one left behind.

He advised the province amend its development planning with more attention paid to development orientations set for industry and services, and continue overhauling its business climate by clearing obstacles for enterprises. 

He added that Quang Tri needs to expand the number of businesses, which remains small, at about 5,000 at the moment.

The Government leader suggested local authorities build the economy toward increasing application of advanced technologies, restructure agriculture for a five-percent growth target, and develop its popular peppercorn products, which have entered the US market.

Efforts to soon put into operation major projects on thermo-power, coal-fired and gas-fuelled plants and the Vietnam – Singapore Industrial Park are also needed, he said, noting that priorities should also be given to renewable and solar energy development.

He recommended the province to diversify its tourism services, particularly the Quang Tri – Con Co coastal tourism route.

Phuc said Quang Tri should also provide better care for revolutionary contributors as it hosts a significant number of large-scale martyr cemeteries. 

On the occasion of his working visit to Quang Tri, the PM came to pay homage to heroic soldiers who laid down their lives for the fatherland’s independence and freedom by laying a wreath at the Quang Tri Ancient Citadel – the national special heritage site.

Vietnam, Laos to speed up Lao NA House construction

Vietnamese Minister of Construction Pham Hong Ha and Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly (NA) Somphan Phengkhammy agreed to speed up the construction of Lao NA House during their working session in Hanoi on May 17. 

The Lao official thanked the Party, State and government of Vietnam for building the work worth 100 million USD as a gift and expressed his interest in bilateral cooperation mechanism in the project. 

Minister Ha said as an investor, the Construction Ministry actively directed units concerned to realise contents reached by heads of the steering committees for the project as well as offered necessary feedback on each component. 

In order to ensure the progress and quality of the project, the ministry suggested the Prime Minister issue a special mechanism for the project, striving to basically complete and put the building into operation by late 2020, he said. 

He asked Lao NA Vice Chairman to request Lao relevant units work closely with the Vietnamese Construction Ministry in the effort. 

The Lao NA House is a symbol of traditional friendship between the two countries. The work began in Thatluang village in Vientiane’s Saysettha district in November 2017.

VFF Vice President wishes for further Hanoi – Beijing ties

Vice President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee and President of the VFF Hanoi chapter Vu Hong Khanh has expressed his wish that Hanoi and Beijing will further strengthen effective and practical ties in diverse areas, contributing to the healthy and stable development of the Vietnam – China comprehensive friendly cooperative partnership. 

At meetings with Secretary of the Beijing Party Committee Cai Qi and Vice Secretary of the Beijing Party Committee and Mayor of Beijing city Chen Jining during his visit from May 13-17, Khanh spoke highly of socio-economic achievements, reform and Party building of China and Beijing in particular. 

The hosts lauded growing ties between China and Vietnam, marked by mutual visits by leaders of the two Parties and countries to outline a complete plan for the China – Vietnam comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership in the new context. 

China attaches highest importance to developing ties with Vietnam and wishes to realise common perceptions reached by the two Parties and countries’ leaders, they said. 

As Hanoi and Beijing are both capitals of the two socialist nations, they share similarities in the city’s development and could learn from each other’s experience, they added. 

Beijing leaders wished that both sides could facilitate high-level visits and share experience in economic development, urban management, cultural and tourism cooperation, and people-to-people exchange, thus lifting ties between the two capitals to a greater height. 

Earlier, VFF Vice President Khanh held talks with Chairman of the Beijing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference (CPPCC) Ji Lin, during which both sides shared experience in front work and political consultation, Party and authority building and supervision. 

They said the implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation signed in Hanoi in 2017 will contribute to upgrading ties between the two capital cities to a new height. 

Khanh wished to welcome Ji Lin and the CPPCC Beijing Committee delegation to Hanoi in 2019, considering it a good chance to further raise mutual understanding and friendship between their people. 

During a fact-finding trip to Shanghai, the Vietnamese delegation met with Chairman of the Shanghai Committee of the CPPCC Dong Yunhu and signed a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the VFF Hanoi chapter and the CPPCC Shanghai Committee.

PM: Efforts to assist people affected by Formosa incident pay off

Efforts to stabilise lives, production and business of people in central provinces affected by the Formosa-related marine environmental incident have paid off and local residents have put more trust in the Party and authorities, and united with each other to address the incident, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

The government leader made the remarks while chairing a national conference in Quang Tri province on May 17 to review the performance of the steering committee for solutions to stabilise lives, production and business of affected people after the incident.

Officials have gained more experiences following the incident, PM Phuc said while lauding Ha Tinh province’s determination to bring the case on wrongdoings in compensating and supporting the affected fishermen to the court.

The leader attributed such outcomes to contributions of scientists, members of the steering committee, leaders and the political system at commune-, district- and provincial levels, army and police forces, and public support.

He highlighted the publicity, transparency, democracy, accuracy and close supervision in the work.

However, PM Phuc said, there remain shortcomings in the compensation work, sparking public complaints.

Citing the fact that 0.9 percent of the compensation fund has yet been disbursed, the government leader requested the early completion of support and compensation for local fishermen.

He described environment as a pillar of national development and asked the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to propose solutions to protect the country’s environment in general and maritime environment in particular for a long term.

The ministry was also urged to establish more environment monitoring systems in major cities, industrial parks and environmentally polluted spots, firstly in the four central provinces of Ha Tinh, Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces, with the supervision of the public.

Besides, it is necessary to continue inspecting the operation of Formosa, especially after the test run of its second furnace, while ensuring security and social order and safety in the central region, he said.

Mass fish deaths were first reported on April 6, 2016 when a large number of fish were washed ashore in Ha Tinh province. The phenomenon also occurred in neighbouring Quang Binh, Quang Tri and Thua Thien-Hue provinces. 

About 70 tonnes of dead fish were found in the four provinces. This environmental incident caused serious losses in the maritime ecosystem and seafood resources, affecting production, business and lives of around 510,000 people of 130,000 households in 730 villages of 146 communes and towns of 22 coastal districts of the four provinces.

In late June 2016, Taiwan-invested Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Co. Ltd (FHS) admitted responsibility for the environmental incident and pledged to compensate 500 million USD (11.5 trillion VND) for affected people.

On August 23, 2016, the Prime Minister established a steering committee for solutions to stabilising the lives, production and business activities of affected residents.

In addition, the Government leader also decided to provide emergency assistance for affected locals, including over 19,000 tonnes of rice and cash worth over 101 billion VND (4.45 million USD).

According to Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong, fisheries resources in the four localities have been recovered, with their seafood field hitting nearly 152,000 tonnes in 2017, up 23.5 percent year-on-year.

Consumers also feel secured in using seafood, resulting in increases in seafood prices.

Last year, the four provinces’ tourism sector bounced back as well, with rises seen in both the number of tourists and revenue.

To date, the Hung Nghiep Formosa Ha Tinh Steel Co. Ltd has repaired 52 out of 53 faults, while installing automatic monitoring devices and cameras and directly transmitting its data related to the environment to the provincial Ha Tinh Department of Natural Resources and Environment and the Vietnam Environment Administration.

Prime Minister pays tribute to martyrs in Quang Tri

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on May 17 paid homage to martyrs at the Truong Son National Martyrs Cemetery on the occasion of his working trip to the central coastal province of Quang Tri. 

The Truong Son National Martyrs’ Cemetery is the resting place of over 10,000 soldiers from across Vietnam. Most of them were from Corps 559 of Truong Son soldiers and sacrificed their lives on Ho Chi Minh Trail during the resistance war against the US. 

The PM and his entourage also offered incense and laid wreaths at the Road No.9 National Martyrs Cemetery where more than 10,000 martyrs were buried. The fallen soldiers fought in the Road 9 battlefield and Laos during the anti-US resistance war. 

The PM expressed his gratitude to the martyrs who devoted their youth to national independence and freedom.

HCM City, St. Petersburg hold substantial cooperation potential

Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan and Mayor of Russia’s St. Petersburg city Georgy Poltavchenko shared the view that smart city building and cyber security system establishment are areas with cooperation potential between the two cities. 

During their talks in St. Petersburg on May 17, Nhan suggested the two sides step up trade and investment ties, which, he said, have yet to reflect the potential of the cities. 

He urged the two cities to work together to remove barrier on distance to their cultural and economic links, suggesting the establishment of a HCM City economic-cultural cooperation centre in St. Petersburg. 

As a young city with dynamic development and quality human resources, HCM City wishes to improve the efficiency of cooperative ties with Russia localities and stands ready to work with Russian businesses, including those from St. Petersburg, Nhan said. 

Mentioning the friendship between Vietnam and Russia, the official highlighted fruitful cooperation in education and training. He said Russia has helped Vietnam train thousands of officials and experts. 

For his part, Poltavchenko lauded the HCM City delegation’s visit, which takes place on the occasion of the 95th anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh’s first visit to Russia. 

He said HCM City and St. Petersburg have potential for cooperation and suggested both sides join hands in infrastructure construction, medicine and pharmacy, water supply and treatment and IT, as well as traditional cooperation spheres like science-technology and education.

St. Petersburg has many businesses with experience and high technologies in water treatment, he said, adding that the city is willing to share experience and technologies with HCM City and help the locality train human resources in this realm. 

The mayor suggested the two cities enhance collaboration between young people. 

St. Petersburg’s authorities and people hope to develop long-term and effective partnerships with Vietnam and HCM City in particular, he said, adding that the two sides will work together to establish economic-cultural cooperation centres in the cities. 

Following the talks, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’ Committee Le Thanh Liem and Poltavchenko signed a roadmap on bilateral cooperation for 2018-2020, focusing on water management, education and tourism. 

The same day, Nhan and his entourage visited Pronton centre in St. Petersburg, a leading agency in high-tech diagnosis and radiation therapy.