Vietnam, Cambodia border guard forces boost cooperation

Deputy Minister of National Defence and Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang (R) receives Gen. Siek Socheat, head of the border affairs office of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces 

Vietnam’s armed forces and border guards in particular always treasure solidarity, friendship and cooperation with neighbouring countries, including Cambodia, to build borderlines of peace and development, said Deputy Minister of National Defence Sen. Lieut. Gen. Phan Van Giang.

Giang, who is also Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA), made the statement while receiving Gen. Siek Socheat, head of the border affairs office of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces in Hanoi on April 24.

He also affirmed that the General Staff of the VPA has worked to create favourable conditions for the efficient cooperation between the two sides, contributing to the countries’ efforts to ensure security and defence.

Gen. Siek Socheat informed his host on the results of his earlier working session with the Vietnam Border Guard High Command. Accordingly, the two sides agreed to continue to exchange information and patrols, maintain order and security in border areas, while assisting relevant agencies in border demarcation and marker planting as scheduled by the two governments.

Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh greets Moroccan official

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) on April 24 received Moroccan Secretary of State to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mounia Boucetta 

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on April 24 received Moroccan Secretary of State to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Mounia Boucetta.

Boucetta is visiting Vietnam to co-chair the fourth meeting of the Vietnam - Morocco Joint Committee and the fifth political consultation between the two foreign ministries.

Hailing the development of bilateral cooperation in all fields, Minh highly valued Morocco’s efforts to deepen relations with members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with a view to becoming its Sectoral Dialogue Partner. He said the two countries should increase the exchange of delegations at all levels.

The two officials stressed the need to take practical measures to foster trade and investment ties, increase the exchange of business delegations to explore each other’s markets and developing economic ties with other African countries.

Vietnam welcomed Morocco to open its honorary consulate in Ho Chi Minh City in a bid to boost economic and trade cooperation with Vietnam’s southern provinces and cities.

The two sides agreed to grant more scholarships to their students, increase the exchange of researchers, hold more academic workshops and sign agreements between research institutions.

Besides, the two countries are set to accelerate negotiations and sign cooperation deals in other fields such as labour, finance-banking, tourism, aviation, and renewable energy.

At the meeting, Minh also lauded the signing of the memorandum of understanding on cooperation between Vietnam’s Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs and Morocco’s Ministry of Employment and Social Affairs and the establishment of the Vietnam-Morocco Friendship Association.

He also suggested stronger cooperation between two countries’ localities like Nha Trang-Agadir, HCM City-Casablanca, and Da Nang-Tangier.

During the political consultation, the two sides also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Party chief receives Sri Lankan Parliament Speaker

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong (R) shakes hands with Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Karu Jayasuriya 

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong on April 24 received Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Karu Jayasuriya, who is paying an official visit to Vietnam.

At the meeting, the Party leader applauded that the visit of the Speaker, saying it will consolidate and deepen the multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Sri Lanka.

Vietnam has always paid heed to and highly evaluated Sri Lanka’s important achievements in socio-economic development, he said.

General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong affirmed that Vietnam always attaches much importance to friendship relations with Sri Lanka’s political parties and supports the exchange of high-ranking delegations and enhancement of bilateral ties through all channels such as Party, Government and Parliament channels and people-to-people diplomacy.

Bilateral relations have seen important strides, the Party chief said, adding that the two nations need to strengthen cooperation in key and potential sectors.

He also voiced his hope that Vietnam and Sri Lanka will continue supporting each other in regional and international multilateral forums.

For his part, Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Karu Jayasuriya congratulated Vietnam on its successes during the country’s process of reform and development. 

While affirming Sri Lanka treasures relations with Vietnam, Jayasuriya noted that the room for cooperation remains huge, especially in tourism, aviation, and people-to-people and youth-to-youth exchanges, among others. 

Vietnamese and Sri Lankan leaders should further promote the traditional friendship and cooperation, thereby benefitting people of both countries, he added.

Vietnam share experiences in taking votes of confidence with Laos

NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong speaks at the event 

Vietnam shared experiences with Laos in casting votes of confidence on persons holding positions elected or ratified by the National Assembly or the provincial People’s Councils at a seminar in Vientiane on April 24.

The event was attended by Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou and President of the Lao Front for National Construction Saysomphone Phomvihane, among others.

Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphan Phengkhammy welcomed the high-level delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam led by Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong to participate in the seminar as part of its official visit to Laos from April 23-25.

He said Vietnam’s experiences in conducting votes of confidence are very important to Laos as the country still lacks theory and practice in this field.

It also suits the demand of the Lao National Assembly and People’s Councils at municipal and provincial levels and is expected to create a foundation for Laos to build a law and enforce it in the coming time, he added.

For her part, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said the seminar not only demonstrates the two countries’ political trust but also the great attention of the two parliaments to national important issues.

Taking votes of confidence aims to assess the level of credit on persons holding positions elected or ratified by the NA or People’s Councils and improve the efficiency of supervision over officials, she added.

Head of the Vietnamese NA Committee for Deputy Affairs Tran Van Tuy presented the procedures to take votes of confidence in Vietnam while NA General Secretary and Head of the NA’s Office Nguyen Hanh Phuc shared information to serve the conduction of votes of confidence at the legislature. 

Vietnam has conducted votes of confidence since 2013 as a form of supervision over officials.

The holding of votes of confidence at the 13th National Assembly and the People’s Councils at all levels in the 2011-2016 tenure contributed to improving the efficiency of supervisory activities of the NA and People’s Councils and the operation of the State apparatus.

Lao leaders host Vietnamese National Assembly delegation

Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith and Prime Minister of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith hosted separate receptions in Vientiane on April 24 for a high-level delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam led by Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong.

The Lao leaders spoke highly of the Vietnamese delegation’s official visit to Laos, expressing their belief that it will significantly contribute to enhancing the traditional friendship between the two Parties, States and people of the two nations.

Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith said he was delighted to see the development of cooperative ties between Vietnam and Laos in various fields over the past time, especially relations between the two legislative agencies thanks to the regular exchange of delegations, organisation of workshops to share experiences in law-making, and mutual assistance at regional and global forums.

He took this occasion to thank the Party, National Assembly and Government of Vietnam for their great assistance to Laos over the past time, particularly in building a new National Assembly House for Laos and constructing schools in Bolikhamsay and Champasak provinces as gifts presented by Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and President Tran Dai Quang.

The top Lao leader also thanked Vietnam for enabling Laos to develop wharves at Vung Ang port in the central province of Ha Tinh, which is vital for the shipment of Lao goods.

For her part, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong affirmed that the visit aims to reinforce the long-standing friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos as well as promote the sound collaboration between the two  legislative bodies.
 
She briefed the Lao leaders about the outcomes of her talks with Lao counterpart Sengnuon Sayalat and the discussion on sharing Vietnam’s experience in taking votes of confidence on persons holding positions elected or ratified by the NA and the provincial People’s Councils.

The legislator thanked the Lao government for promptly removing difficulties for Vietnamese businesses to make long-term investments in Laos and providing more assistance for the Vietnamese community in Laos.

Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang (Photo: VTC)

The Vietnamese Government always respects and protects the right to freedom of religion and belief of all citizens, but does not allow abuse of those freedoms or exploitation of a belief or religion to violate the law, said Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Vu Chien Thang.

Regarding reports on activities that run counter to moral standards with close connections to some religious groups called “Hoi thanh Duc Chua Troi” in Hai Phong, Quang Ninh and Thai Nguyen, Thang said that the reports need to be verify in order to differentiate between those groups and other Protestants groups with similar names.

The committee and relevant authorities have paid special attention to the case and will mete out strict punishment to any individual using religious activities to infringe social order and safety, harm other persons’ health, bodies, lives and assets, and offend other people’s honour and human dignity.

Thang affirmed that after some newspapers reported on the violations, the committee has ordered cities and provinces to enhance communication work to raise public awareness and keep vigilance against false propaganda on apocalypse and seeking the god’s salvation through donations of cash and abandoning of work and family.

Recently, many religious dignitaries have raised their voice to strongly object to those negative activities, he said, adding that this has made contributions to helping the public have proper understanding of such activities.

PM urges quick disclosure of electronic toll collection roadmap at BOT projects

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc urged the Ministry of Transport to quickly make public the roadmap for installation of non-stop toll collection systems at Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) road projects.

The Government chief stressed the point on Monday at a meeting attended by representatives of several relevant ministries and localities.

PM Phuc also tasked the Ministry of Transport to work with the Ministry of Finance and other competent agencies to calculate appropriate fee rates for non-stop toll collection stations.

The Government encouraged all BOT projects to install non-stop toll collection systems following public rage over unreasonable toll booths and high fees.

He emphasized the necessity to continue mobilization of financial resources from non-state sectors for transport infrastructure development amid financial constraints.

According to the Ministry of Transport, BOT road projects have been inspected by the State Audit of Viet Nam since April 2014 in order to eliminate unreasonable fees.

In the first nine months of 2017, the State Audit recommended cutting time for toll collection by up to 62 years and eight months at 22 BOT projects, or equal to the reduction of VND22 trillion.

Voters discuss pressing issues with NA leader

Voters from Thanh Hoa city and Nga Son district discuss a range of pressing issues with NA Deputy Chairman Uong Chu Luu and a delegation of Thanh Hoa provincial NA deputies. (Photo: truyenhinhthanhhoa.vn) 

Local voters in Thanh Hoa province have voiced their aspirations and suggestions to National Assembly (NA) Deputy Chairman Uong Chu Luu on a range of pressing issues.

The NA leader joined the delegation of provincial NA deputies for a meeting with voters in Thanh Hoa city and Nga Son district on Monday, discussing pressing local issues related to tax policy, medical care, and conversion of land use purposes, as well as support policies for former officers and soldiers joining the past wars of resistance.

Voters in Nga Son district expressed their expectations that the State should invest in the construction of irrigation works to limit local salinity intrusion, while promoting planning for intensive farming areas that bring high economic efficiency, in addition to increasing investment in tourism development in Nga Son.

They also desired that the Government pay more attention to adjust support policies for military personnel, especially those on duty in border areas and islands.

Praising voters’ suggestions to the State policies, NA Deputy Chairman Luu clarified several issues related to agricultural-rural development and policies for the revolutionary contributors.

He emphasised that their practical recommendations contribute to the handling of pressing issues that the NA and the Government are paying attention to, such as food hygiene and safety, environmental protection, and raising the responsibility of the heads of units. The suggestions would be collected and sent to relevant NA agencies for further study, he added.

Also at the meeting, Vice Chairman of the provincial People's Committee Nguyen Duc Quyen responded to the questions raised by local voters under the locality’s jurisdiction.

Human resources crucial to Phu Quoc Special Zone

NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien (middle) surveys the map on land planning in Phu Quoc district

Human resources are the most important factor in managing and developing the Phu Quoc Special Administrative - Economic Zone, requiring the local authorities to give heed to the effective use of the local human resources.

Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Phung Quoc Hien made the remarks on April 23 while working with leaders of the southern province of Kien Giang and Phu Quoc district on the plans to establish the Phu Quoc Special Administrative - Economic Zone.

Vice Chairwoman of the People's Committee of Kien Giang province Le Thi Minh Phung said that through a number of consultations at domestic and international conferences, the province has basically completed the project on building the Phu Quoc special zone.

The special zone will cover an area of more than 57,500ha and over 29,100 households, in addition to nine administrative units which are the results of the conversion from the current two towns and seven communes in Phu Quoc.

The entirety of Phu Quoc Island has 277 valid investment projects, covering a total area of 10,674 ha. However, only 36 projects have been put into operation and 35 others are under construction. In addition, only 2,100ha out of 10,674ha has been handed over to investors.

NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien said that Phu Quoc should have specific policies on land in order to attract investment while not reducing the land resources.

Kien Giang province and Phu Quoc district in particular need to obey the legal basis to address issues related to land and generate practical results.

The NA Vice Chairman also reemphasised the crucial role of human resources in developing the Phu Quoc special zone, asking the province to attract and train high-quality human resources.

Israel ready to further boost cooperation with HCMC

Secretary of HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on April 24 hosts a reception for Ambassador of Israel to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar. (Photo: Sggp)

Politburo member, Secretary of HCMC Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan on April 23 received Ambassador of Israel to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar.

The city’s Party chief highly appreciated cooperation activities carried out by Israel in Ho Chi Minh City over the past years in various fields, such as developing breed of cow, education, healthcare.

Mr. Nguyen Thien Nhan hoped that the forthcoming visit to Israel by the Ho Chi Minh City’s high-ranking delegation will contribute to strengthening cooperation between the two sides. It will be also a chance for the city’s government to learn about experience in buiding smart city and technological creative activities of Israel.

For his part, Ambassador of Israel to Vietnam Nadav Eshcar said that Israel is willing to share experience in building smart city and enhancing education cooperation.

Building resilient, innovative ASEAN

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc and leaders from ASEAN nations will attend the 32nd ASEAN Summit in Singapore from April 27-28 at the invitation of Singaporean PM Lee Hsien Loong. 

Earlier, from April 26-27, the ASEAN Senior Officials’ Meeting, the ASEAN Ministerial Meeting, meetings of the ASEAN Political-Security Community Council, the ASEAN Economic Community Council and the ASEAN Coordinating Council will be held.

Under the theme of “Building a Resilient and Innovative ASEAN”, leaders are expected to discuss measures to build a resilient and innovative ASEAN and take advantages of opportunities of the fourth industrial revolution to promote growth.

The Vietnamese PM’s participation in the 32nd ASEAN Summit manifests Viet Nam’s support for Singapore as the chair of ASEAN 2018 as well as promotes solidarity and unity and maintains the central role of ASEAN in an open, transparent and rule-based regional architecture.

French Communist Party delegation visits Vietnam

Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Chief of the CPV Central Committee’s Office Nguyen Van Nen (R) receives Jean-Charles Negre, Politburo member and former standing member of the PCF Secretariat 

A high-level delegation from the French Communist Party (PCF) led by Jean-Charles Negre, Politburo member and former standing member of the PCF Secretariat, is on a visit to Vietnam from April 22-26.

Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and Chief of the CPV Central Committee’s Office Nguyen Van Nen hosted a reception for the guests in Hanoi on April 23.

The same day, head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan chaired talks with the PCF delegation.

The two sides highly valued the sound cooperation between Vietnam and France after the establishment of diplomatic ties 45 years ago and the recent visit to France by CPV General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong in March.

Both nations pledged to promote the strategic partnership which has been set up for over the past five years.

They discussed cooperation orientations through the Party channel including the preparation for the third theoretical workshop between Vietnamese and French communist parties scheduled in 2019 and the celebration of the 100th founding anniversary of the PCF (1920-2020).

The PCF supports the French Government’s policy of increasing investment and cooperation with Vietnam and encouraging the involvement of French businesses in Vietnam for development targets of the Southeast Asian country.

The two sides shared information on the situation of their parties and countries as well as discussed some international issues of mutual concern.

During their stay in Vietnam, the PCF delegation is scheduled to work with leaders from the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Economic Affairs and authorities from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese Ambassador to US welcomes Mormon Church representatives

Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Pham Quang Vinh (third from left) takes photo with delegates of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church) 

Vietnamese Ambassador to the United States Pham Quang Vinh has met with a high-level delegation of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormon Church), including Elders Gary Stevenson and Gerit Gong, in Washington DC, the US.

Speaking at the meeting, Stevenson shared memories on his recent visit to Vietnam and lauded the robust development of Vietnam and cooperation between the country and the church.

He thanked the Government Committee for Religious Affairs and agencies and localities of Vietnam for creating favourable conditions for his visit and the promotion of cooperation between the two sides, particularly in humanitarian assistance, environmental protection, and dealing with impacts of natural disasters and climate change.

Ambassador Vinh, for his part, informed his guests on Vietnam’s policies in various areas, including religious affairs, and achievements in the national building and development as well as the growth of the Vietnam-US relations.

He welcomed the cooperation between the Church and Vietnam’s Government Committee for Religious Affairs and agencies in humanitarian assistance, poverty reduction and response to climate change, contributing to the enhancement of mutual understanding and friendship between people of the two countries.

The The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is based in Utah, the US. It was approved by the Government of Vietnam to open a representative office in Vietnam in May, 2016.

Vice President meets leaders of Victoria state

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh (R) and Governor of Victoria State of Australia Linda Marion Dessau 

Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh had bilateral meetings with Governor of Victoria State of Australia Linda Marion Dessau and Premier of Victoria Daniel Andrews in the state on April 24. 

The meetings took place on the occasion of her trip to attend the Global Summit of Women in Australia. 

The Vice President lauded leaders and people of Victoria state for making outstanding achievements in diverse areas, especially in services and social welfare policies, turning Melbourne into the world’s most liveable city in the recent seven years. 

She hailed Melbourne as one of the top financial, trade, cultural, education and sport hubs in Australia, the region and the world, contributing nearly 10 percent to the country’s gross domestic product. 

Thinh wished that leaders of Victoria state will further promote ties with Vietnam, making it easier for Vietnamese localities to form relationship with the state. She also welcomed local firms to do business in Vietnam and asked Victoria leaders to facilitate activities celebrating the 45th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties to raise mutual understanding between the two peoples. 

She also urged all possible support to the Vietnamese community in the state to integrate into the host community. 

The Victoria Governor and Premier spoke highly of strong and vibrant development of Vietnam – Australia ties across economy, trade, national defence-security, education, science-technology and tourism since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic ties 45 years ago. 

The upgrade of bilateral ties to strategic partnership level during Australia’s visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in March 2018 was an important evidence of their relationship, which was partly contributed by the two countries’ localities, including Victoria, they said. 

Governor Dessau said education-training and tourism are strengths of the state. Tens of thousands of local people visit Vietnam each year while over 13,000 Vietnamese students are pursuing studies in the state. 

She suggested cooperating in fields of shared interest such as health care and care for the elderly.

Premier Andrews said two-way trade between Vietnam and Victoria hit 1.9 billion USD last year, accounting for nearly one-third of the total between Vietnam and Australia. 

He welcomed the upcoming opening of a branch of the Commercial Bank for Foreign Trade of Vietnam (Vietcombank) in Melbourne and vowed to realise a Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between Victoria and Vietnamese localities, especially in trade, investment, education-training, agriculture, urban development, environment, tourism and people-to-people exchange. 

The hosts committed all possible support for Vietnamese community in the state to contribute to the development of the two countries and their relations.