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NA chief congratulates new speaker of Iraqi parliament
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on September 18 sent a congratulatory message to Mohamed Al-Halbusi on his election as Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives.
Mohamed Al-Halbusi, Speaker of Iraq’s Council of Representatives (Source: thebaghdadpost.com)
Aged 37, Halbusi, a member of the Al-Hall (Solution) Party, is the youngest person to serve as Speaker of the Iraqi parliament.
He was previously Governor of Anbar province.
Vietnam and Iraq established diplomatic relations in 1968. Bilateral trade hit 308.12 million USD in 2017, according to the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs.-VNA
ASOSAI 14: milestone in SAV’s 24-year history
The hosting of the 14th Assembly of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI) in September 2018 marks a milestone in the 24-year history of the State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV).
On January 24, 1995, the Prime Miister issued Decision 61/TTg on regulations on the organisation and operation of the SAV. This is the first legal foundation for the country’s State audit agency, meeting the requirements of the cause of Doi Moi (renewal) and building a law-governed socialist State.
Ever since, the SAV’s development has been closely associated with the country’s political, economic and social events.
On June 14, 2005, the National Assembly passed the Law on State Audit, which took effect on January 1, 2006, opening up a new stage of development for the SAV.
On November 28, 2013, the 8th National Assembly adopted the Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, which became effective on January 1, 2014, with Article 118 stipulating the legal status of the SAV as an organ “established by the National Assembly, operate independently, abide only by the law, and audit the management and use of public finance and assets.” The constitution also stipulates the role and responsibility of the head of the State Audit Office.
With this landmark, the role of the SAV was elevated to a constitutional body, thus enhancing its position, role and responsibility in auditing the management and use of public finance and assets.
Besides, on April 19, 2010, the National Assembly Standing Committee adopted Resolution 927/2010/UBTVQH12 issuing a strategy for the development of the SAV to 2020. The strategy defines the core value of the SAV as “Transparency-Quality-Effectiveness and Constantly Improving Value.”
The implementation of the strategy has contributed greatly to increasing the efficiency, professionalism and effectiveness of the SAV’s operation, catching up with the trend of supreme audit organisations in the world.
As part of efforts to implement the strategy, and based on the Constitution’s stipulation, the SAV coordinated with relevant agencies to research and propose revisions to the Law on State Audit and related laws.
On June 24, 2015, the 13th National Assembly passed the revised Law on State Audit at its 9th session, creating a complete and uniform legal corridor for the organisation and operation of the SAV.
Over the past years, the SAV has fulfilled its assigned political tasks through actively reforming auditing methods and working style, improving the quality of auditing planning and quality control. It has paid attention to develop all three types of audits: financial audit, compliance audit and operational audit. The SAV also promoted both general and specialized audits, along with auditing both local and State budget balance.
According to Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc, audits conducted by the SAV have provided information for the National Assembly in considering and approving State budget balance and deciding State budget estimates, as well as helping People’s Councils at all level in supervising and approving local budget balance, assisting ministries and agencies in enhancing the efficiency and effectiveness of the management and use of public finance and assets.
The Auditor General said with its elevated legal status, the SAV has been able to enhance its prestige in the international arena, as demonstrated in the SAV’s hosting of the ASOSAI’s 14th Assembly in 2018 and assuming the chair of ASOSAI during 2018-2021.
Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reforms convenes 6th meeting
The Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reforms convened its sixth meeting in Hanoi on September 15
The Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reforms convened its sixth meeting in Hanoi on September 15 under the chair of its head – President Tran Dai Quang.
Participants discussed a report on amendments and supplements to the committee’s working regulations for the 2016-2021 term submitted by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs, along with a report of the Central Military Commission on revisions to a plan to reform the organisation and activities of the army’s judicial agencies.
They also looked into a report of the Party Civil Affairs Committee of the Supreme People’s Court on reforming and increasing reconciliation and dialogue in the settlement of civil and administrative cases, and another on some problems about local judicial reforms.
They said the Politburo recently appointed the Chairman of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Internal Affairs as permanent deputy head of the steering committee, and a vice chairman of this commission as a member of the steering committee. Therefore, amending the committee’s working regulations aims to create favourable conditions for the Commission for Internal Affairs and the new members of the committee to fulfill their tasks.
Meanwhile, reforming the organisation and activities of judicial agencies in the army is intended to ensure active and timely actions in the fight against crimes and violations of law and military discipline, thus improving the army’s combat strength.
The reform and enhancement of reconciliation and dialogue in the settlement of civil and administrative cases have been piloted and resulted in initial positive outcomes, committee members said.
In his conclusion, President Quang asked the Commission for Internal Affairs and the drafting agencies to consider opinions of the committee members to fine-tune their reports.
He noted that judicial reforms have been seriously implemented by all-level administrations and sectors, generating important outcomes. Relations among investigation agencies, procuracies, courts and other judicial and verdict enforcement bodies have improved.
The President requested relevant agencies to boost the quality of investigating, prosecuting and judging criminal cases, especially big economic and corruption ones, while accelerating the settlement of key and prolonged cases. The authorised agencies also have to pay attention to uncovering economic violations and corruption, as well as asset recovery measures, he noted.
The agencies must ensure the absolute respect for law, strictly and thoroughly deal with violations, not spare any violators or have wrong or inaccurate verdicts, and not let their decisions be affected by external factors, the President added.
He also demanded centrally-run authorised agencies to direct their subordinate bodies to work out solutions to obstacles facing localities and press on with judicial reforms in line with the Party’s guidelines.
Vietnamese Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc holds talks with his Malaysian counterpart Madinal Binti Mohamad in Hanoi on September 17
Vietnamese Auditor General Ho Duc Phoc held talks with his Malaysian counterpart Madinal Binti Mohamad who is in Vietnam to attend the 14th Assembly of the Asian Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASOSAI).
Phoc said that over the past few years, the partnership between the two agencies has been fostered with various cooperation activities to share professional experience.
From 2005-2012, the State Audit of Vietnam (SAV) sent three delegations of senior leaders to Malaysia to learn about auditing standards and techniques, as well as information technology application in professional activities and personnel training.
Within the framework of the ASEAN Organisation of Supreme Audit Institutions (ASEANSAI), the National Audit Department of Malaysia supported the SAV in building, monitoring, and evaluating the implementation of the ASEANSAI strategic plan.
Each year, the department has helped to train SAV officials though its technical cooperation programme funded by the Malaysian Government.
From 2008, the SAV has sent 15 officials to auditing courses in Malaysia.
Phoc spoke highly of the Malaysian National Audit Department’s assistance in the past years, affirming that all officials trained in Malaysia have acquired helpful knowledge and shown strong returning performances, helping to enhance the efficiency of the SAV.
For her part, Madinah Binti Mohamad said that the National Audit Department of Malaysia boasts strength in training. Malaysia’s National Audit Academy was established in November 2005 and has organised one or two courses for international trainees each year since 2007, mostly in operational and information technology auditing.
Each year, Malaysia’s State audit agency conducts 150-200 audits on issues related to operational enforcement and efficiency, she said.
She said that looking forwards, the Malaysian National Audit Department will continue inviting the SAV to join the Malaysian technical cooperation programme on public auditing training.
Specifically, the two sides will exchange delegations to study experience in digitalising paper procedures, building training courses on environmental and IT auditing, and the training model of Malaysia.
As the role of ASOSAI Chair for the 2015-2018 period, the Malaysian Auditor General affirmed that Malaysia is willing to share experience with the SAV in the future when Vietnam takes charge for the 2018-2021 tenure – especially in connecting members and evaluating challenges and problems facing the region, as well as global development trends for state audits, and implementing the ASOSAI strategic plan for the 2016-2021 period.
Hanoi steps up cooperation with Bulgarian localities
Participants of the meeting
Vice Standing Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu emphasised that boosting cooperation and investment ties with Bulgarian localities is a key task for the capital during a reception for Bulgarian Minister of Economy Emil Karanikolov on September 17.
At the meeting, the Bulgarian minister said his country, as the current rotating chair of the EU, will make efforts to push for the early signing of the free trade agreement between the bloc and Vietnam.
He stated that the Bulgarian Government will do its best to increase bilateral cooperation with Vietnam and help to create conditions for Vietnamese firms to reach Bulgaria and bring their goods to the 500-million-strong EU market.
The official said his country has spent a great amount on building industrial parks around the capital city of Sofia and expects that Hanoi might make some investments in these parks.
He also called for the Vietnamese capital city’s enhanced engagements with Bulgarian cities and provinces in health, transport, education, and trade.
Agreeing with his guest, Suu said Hanoi is facing difficulties, particularly in transport and construction, during its current rapid development.
The city is looking forward to collaboration with the Bulgarian capital across sectors like industry, trade, tourism, and exports, he added.
The official noted that about 25 companies in Hanoi are ready to cooperate with the Bulgarian side.
He said the local authorities will create good conditions for both sides to form partnerships in contribution to boosting Vietnam-Bulgaria relations.
Dien Bien, Luang Prabang provinces tighten cultural, tourism links
Representatives of the Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Luang Prabang Department of Information, Culture and Tourism sign a cooperation document
Officials of the northwestern province of Dien Bien and the Lao province of Luang Prabang agreed to enhance cultural and tourism cooperation during talks in Dien Bien Phu city on September 16.
Representatives of the Dien Bien Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Luang Prabang Department of Information, Culture and Tourism said both provinces are home to diverse natural landscapes and ethnic groups with different cultures, major resources for developing cultural – historical tourism, ecotourism, spiritual tourism and community-based tourism.
Dien Bien also houses the special national historical relic site “Dien Bien Phu Battlefield”, most notably associated with Vietnam’s resistance war against France.
They said in 2017 and 2018, the two departments have organised various activities, helping boost relations and encourage people to support exchanges and cooperation programmes.
They have worked to connect travel firms of Dien Bien and Luang Prabang, organised fact-finding trips for businesses, and coordinated to distribute promotion publications among Vietnamese and Lao people. These activities have resulted in positive outcomes, helping to promote integration, serving the protection of the border and supporting external work, officials said.
At the talks, the two sides agreed that in 2019 and 2020, Dien Bien and Luang Prabang will strengthen solidarity, mutual understanding and cooperation in culture and image promotion. They will open refresher courses for local art troupes and increase cultural exchanges and photo exhibitions. The provinces will also step up learning about each other’s tourism to create inter-provincial tours, popularise their tourism products and stay updated on relevant information about investment, business and tourism opportunities in each country.
They further agreed to propose authorities open a direct air route linking Dien Bien and Luang Prabang.
After the talks, the two departments signed a memorandum of understanding on reinforcing cultural and tourism partnerships.
Vietnam, Canada strengthen people-to-people exchange
A delegation from the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association led by its President Nguyen Viet Tien had an exchange meeting with their peers from the Canada-Vietnam Society in Toronto, Canada on September 14.
The meeting was part of activities of the Vietnamese Culture Week in Canada from September 11-17.
At the event, Tien, who is also Deputy Minister of Health, highlighted that exchange of the two associations will help strengthen connections between people of Vietnam and Canada.
Meanwhile, General Secretary of the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association Nguyen Thi Thu Giang said that the friendship between Vietnam and Canada has developed strongly after the Vietnam visit of Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in November, 2017 and the Canada visit by Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc in June, 2018.
Over the past years, the association has held various activities to connect people of both sides, including a logo design contest on the occasion of the 45th anniversary of Vietnam-Canada diplomatic relations.
A representative from the Canada-Vietnam Society, Philip Fernandez, said that since the society was formed in 2016, it has developed a network covering many big cities of Canada such as Montreal, Ottawa, Vancouver and Surey.
He expressed his hope to get better understanding of the nation and people of Vietnam and the country’s development in all fields.
Nguyen Dai Trang, a representative of the Canada-Vietnam Society in Toronto, said that the society hopes for more support from the Vietnam-Canada Friendship Association in organising visits to Vietnam for Canadian friends, thus giving them deeper understanding of Vietnam and creating foundations for the two countries to enhance its education, economic, cultural partnership and people-to-people exchange.
Bust of President Ho Chi Minh inaugurated in Mexico
A ceremony to inaugurate the President Ho Chi Minh bust took place in Guadalajara city in Mexico’s Jalisco state on September 14.
Addressing the ceremony, Mayor Enrique Ibarra Pedroza of Guadalajara city said the bust is a pride of the city and its people, while member of the city’s council Jeanette Velazquez Sedano affirmed that legacy of President Ho Chi Minh will be everlasting.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Nguyen Hoai Duong thanked local people for their sentiment toward President Ho Chi Minh and Vietnamese people.
He recalled the admiration of former Mexican President Lazaro Cardenas for President Ho Chi Minh and Indian leader Mahatma Gandi, saying that they spent their whole lives for national liberation and freedom.
The 60cm-high bronze statue, created by Mexican sculptor Saul Hernandez, is the fourth one of President Ho Chi Minh installed in Mexico.
Earlier, a statue of President Ho Chi Minh was inaugurated at the Vietnamese Embassy’s headquarters in Mexico in 2015.
Meanwhile, a statue capturing President Ho Chi Minh working in the Presidential Palace was placed in a park in Mexico City in 2010 and another was unveiled on Miguel Aleman Avenue in Acapulco city in 2009.
HCM City, UN Women boost gender equality
The meeting between HCM City's authorities and UN Women representatives on September 14
Vice Chairwoman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Thi Thu has received Elisa Fernandez Saenz, head of office at the UN Women in Vietnam, to discuss potential cooperation in the coming time.
During a reception on September 14 in the city, Thu thanked the UN Women for its support to the city’s implementation of UN gender equality programmes, including those on legal education, and building a safe city for women and girls.
She said the UN Women’s invitation to an international conference on gender equality in Canada next October will help HCM City meet and exchange experiences with other localities in the world on the matter. Thu said the city will soon respond to the invitation.
The official expressed her belief in a good partnership between her city and the organisation thanks to their common goals toward equality and empowerment for women.
HCM City is willing to cooperate with the UN Women in the field, she stated, expecting similar goodwill to come from the organisation.
For her part, Elisa Fernandez Saenz lauded the city’s commitments to implementing anti-gender-violence programmes, including the organisation of an action month for the safety of women and girls and a month for gender equality promotion.
HCM City signed a commitment to build itself into a safe city for women and girls in 2017, becoming the 27th cities worldwide to join the UN’s initiative.
HCM City leader hosts Chinese Foreign Minister
Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan (R) and Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi
Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan received Foreign Minister of China Wang Yi in Ho Chi Minh City on September 15.
The Chinese official is in Vietnam to take part in the 11th meeting of the Steering Committee for Vietnam – China Bilateral Cooperation.
On behalf of the local authorities, Nhan lauded outcomes of sessions held by the committee in boosting friendship for mutual benefits, stating that HCM City spares no effort to make contribution to comprehensive strategic cooperative ties between Vietnam and China.
Briefing the guest on the city’s recent socio-economic and cultural development, Nhan said the relationship between HCM City and China is growing, particularly in economy and trade.
According to the city official, HCM City has to date established cooperative and friendly ties with eight Chinese localities, including Shanghai, Shenyang, Guangzhou, and most recently Chongqing.
For his part, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi pledged to make efforts in enhancing his country’s relationship with Vietnam and with Ho Chi Minh City in particular.
China stands ready to share experience in socio-economic development with Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City, he added.
Congratulating the city on its recent growth, Wang highlighted cooperation between Vietnamese and Chinese localities needs to be expanded in all spheres.
He showed his confidence that under the municipal Party Committee’ leadership, HCM City will continue playing an important role in Vietnam’s development.
The same day, Wang and his entourage laid a wreath at a monument of the late President Ho Chi Minh on Nguyen Hue pedestrian street.
Vietnam enhances ties with Canada’s Quebec province
Vietnam and Canada’s Quebec province hold special relations, but the two sides should further step up cooperation in specific areas to deepen these ties, a senior official has said.
Vietnamese Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Ngoc Thien made the remarks at a working session in Montreal city on September 14 with Quebec’s Minister of International Relations and La Francophonie Christine St-Pierre.
At the meeting, the two officials discussed measures to boost bilateral collaboration in conformity with their real situation and demands.
Thien expressed his hope that the two sides will step up cooperation in all fields, especially in culture through art and cinematographic exchange programmes, the joint participation in film festivals, and the sending of Vietnamese students majoring in culture to Quebec.
Sharing the same view, St-Pierre said that Quebec is interested in cooperation in culture and museum and the province has recently issued a new policy related to culture.
According to her, through this policy, Quebec not only wants to create a space for cultural activities, but also wants to expand a network of representative offices in other countries, including Vietnam.
On the same day, Thien had a meeting with Chief Executive Officer of Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) Gean-Louis Roy to learn about BAnQ’s operation model and its experience in maintaining reading culture in the fourth industrial revolution.
Roy shared that, to attract young people in the fourth industrial revolution, new technology should be applied in library and archives work and books suitable to their ages should be added.
Thien has been on a working visit to Canada from September 11-17, on the occasion of the Vietnam Culture Week in Canada. This is the first time the Vietnam Culture Week has been organised in Canada to mark the 45th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, with a string of activities such as art performances, film screening and tourism promotion progammes.
Fidel’s historic visit to Vietnam remembered in Quang Tri
An art performance at the ceremony
A ceremony was held in the central province of Quang Tri in the evening of September 14 to mark 45 years since Cuban leader Fidel Castro visited the liberated zone in southern Vietnam.
Addressing the event, Tran Quoc Vuong, Politburo member and permanent member of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Secretariat, said Fidel’s trip to the liberated zone brought solidarity and valuable support of Cuban people to Vietnam.
His presence in the zone amidst dangers and hardships was a great source of encouragement to southern residents and soldiers, as well as Vietnamese people during the anti-US resistance war, the official said.
The Party, State and people of Vietnam will always keep in mind the sentiments of Cuba and international friends to the country both in the past and at present, he affirmed, expressing their determination to work together with their Cuban counterparts to preserve and cultivate the special friendship and solidarity between the two countries.
Vietnam always stands side by side with Cuba and supports Cuban people’s just cause, Vuong said.
In his remarks, First Vice President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Salvador Valdes Mesa recalled Fidel’s historic visit 45 years ago and his appeal to Cuban people to support Vietnam’s national reconstruction.
Cuba will never forget Vietnam’s solidarity, he said, recalling the country’s backing for the lift of economic and trade embargo imposed on Cuba by the US.
He took the occasion to congratulate Vietnam on achievements the country has recorded in reform, improving people’s living standards and maintaining national stability.
Nguyen Van Hung, Secretary of the Party Committee of Quang Tri province, said over the past decades, Cuba and Fidel Castro have become a symbol of revolutionary heroism, undaunted spirit and aspiration for freedom and happiness, citing the Cuban leader’s statement: “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood.”
He expressed his wish that the Cuban Party and State will design more cooperation projects with Vietnam and Quang Tri in such potential areas as tourism, health care and education-training.
Fidel made three visits to Vietnam in September 1973, December 1995, and February 2003.
He was the first foreign leader to visit the newly-liberated area in the south of Vietnam during the anti-US resistance war. He was also a national leader who took the initiative in international movements to support Vietnam’s struggle for national independence and reunification, along with its process of national development and defence.
With all his great contributions, the Cuban leader was presented with the two noblest orders of the Vietnamese State: the Golden Star Order in 1982 and the Ho Chi Minh Order in 1989.
Hanoi, Gold Coast leaders discuss bilateral ties
Mayor of the Australian city of Gold Coast Tom Tate (L) and Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung
Mayor of the Australian city of Gold Coast Tom Tate and Chairman of the Hanoi City People’s Committee Nguyen Duc Chung discussed bilateral cooperation opportunities in culture, investment, trade and tourism during a working session in Hanoi on September 14.
Chung informed his guest that Hanoi records a total population of over 9.5 million people and an average per capita income of 7,600 USD each year.
Between now and 2020, Hanoi sets three key tasks of high-quality personnel training, administrative reform and infrastructure upgrade.
In education and training, Hanoi has built vocational training schools up to international standards. Nearly 4,000 students from Hanoi are studying in Australia.
The city’s leader proposed enhancing student exchanges to share experience and learn about each side’s culture.
He said Hanoi welcomed 23 million tourists last year, including about 5 million foreigners. Australia was the eighth largest source of tourist arrivals to Hanoi. Meanwhile, Gold Coast, with a 500,000 population, serves 13 million visitors each year. Therefore, Hanoi wants to learn from the city’s experience in tourism promotion.
According to him, Hanoi is in the process of building an e-government and developing a smart city. Learning from the Australian city of Melbourne, Hanoi has planted nearly 1 million trees, replaced old monitor software in localities with WAN system connecting with 30 districts and suburban districts and 584 wards, communes and towns.
The city has built a residential database and launched over 600 online public services at the third and fourth levels.
The host wished to learn from Gold Coast’s experience in applying new technologies in infrastructure and smart city management, and hoped investors from Australian and Gold Coast in particular would invest in the city.
He suggested facilitating high-level visits, and cultural and people-to-people exchange.
Tate, for his part, said Australia always highly values and gives priority to education.
Gold Coast is ready to offer all possible support to Vietnamese and Hanoi students, he said, wishing that Hanoi will also welcome more students from Gold Coast for studies.
The guest also expressed willingness to share experience in city planning, ensuring social security and order, caring for public health and preventing natural disasters, thereby tightening bilateral ties.
Vietnam, Russia work to bring bilateral trade to 10 billion USD in 2020
Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Economic Commission Nguyen Van Binh (R) hosts Russian Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneurs’ Rights Tivot Boris Yurievich
The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and the Government are striving to bring the Vietnam-Russia trade to 10 billion USD in 2020, Politburo member, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Van Binh said on September 14.
Binh, who is also head of the CPV Central Committee’s Economic Commission, made the statement while receiving Tivot Boris Yurievich, Russian Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneurs’ Rights.
At the meeting in Hanoi, Binh spoke highly of the thriving Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, reflected through the success of the recent visit to Russia by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.
He also underlined the consistent policy of the Party and Government of Vietnam to further promote the bilateral investment and economic cooperation to match the two countries’ political ties.
Affirming the warm relations between the countries, Binh said that the two governments need to create favourable conditions for the operation of businesses in each country, which in turn will contribute to the bilateral trade.
In reply, Tivot said that the President and entrepreneurs of Russia want to enhance investment and trade collaboration with Vietnam. Therefore, both sides need to seek methods with high feasibility to create cooperation frameworks in the economic sector, particularly in high technology industry and agriculture.
The Commissioner put forward the coordination in legal rights protection for Vietnamese and Russian businesses, and consulted with Vietnamese authorities on measures to promote Russia’s economic growth with a view to reducing dependence on oil sources.
He expressed his hope for more activities that foster understanding, trust and prompt actions of the countries, facilitating the bilateral cooperation.
PM highlights Japanese ODA’s role in socio-economic development
Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) has significantly contributed to Vietnam’s socio-economic development over the past years, especially in infrastructure development, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on September 14.
At a Hanoi reception for Shinichi Kitaoka, President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), the PM said as the agency in charge of coordinating Japan’s ODA to Vietnam, JICA has made remarkable contributions to cooperation between the two countries.
Vietnam has used the capital for right purposes and manage it effectively, he said, adding that the quality of ODA projects has also been ensured.
He called on Japan to continue its ODA supply for Vietnam, focusing on high-quality infrastructure, personnel training, climate change response, administrative reform, the utilisation of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, business environment improvement, and experience exchange in high-quality agriculture.
Talking about the Vietnam-Japan University, the PM said leaders of the two countries will continue to coordinate in seeking suitable mechanisms in support of its development.
PM Phuc expressed his belief that with the fruitful development of the bilateral ties, Vietnam and Japan will overcome difficulties to address issues regarding ODA and non-refundable aid.
The leader highlighted the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership and urged the two sides to maintain and uphold the relationship for both present and future generations.
In any circumstances, Vietnam-Japan relations still develop strongly and firmly, he said.
For his part, Shinichi Kitaoka expressed his delight at Vietnam’s socio-economic development over the past 30 years, which was recorded with the role of Japan’s ODA.
He informed PM Phuc that JICA has implemented many cooperation projects with Vietnam this year, focusing on infrastructure development, improvement of values of the industry and production, environmental protection, climate change and natural disaster combat, and human resources development.
Can Tho, Australia discuss joint work in diverse areas
Vice Chairman of the Can Tho People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam (R) presents a gift to Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Karen Lanyon at the working session on September 14 (Photo: baocantho.com.vn)
Representatives of the People’s Committee of the Mekong Delta city of Can Tho held a working session with Australian Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Karen Lanyon on September 14 to discuss cooperation in diverse areas in the near future.
Speaking at the event, Lanyon hailed Can Tho as an economic hub of the Mekong Delta that attracts Australian investors who want to form long-term strategic partnership.
She wished that Can Tho and Australia would mutually benefit from a common strategy with a priority given to agriculture, renewable energy, environment protection and climate change response.
Since this year, the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) has sent agronomists to Can Tho to conduct studies and seek feasibility plans to clear barriers in agriculture, focusing on food safety, climate change, land quality improvement and tree nutrition, market connectivity, value increase for agricultural products and aquaculture.
ACIAR will assist Can Tho in adopting technological advances in high-tech agriculture, attracting the private sector in creating opportunities to the poor in both rural and urban areas to benefit from advanced farming models.
It aims to improve the capacity of Can Tho farmers, agriculture extension officials and scientists from research and training establishments.
Via a cooperation scheme, Can Tho will work closely with ACIAR to improve farm produce output and quality, protect land and water resources, and ensure food safety and hygiene, Lanyon said.
In renewable energy field, the Australian Energy Regulator (AER) will conduct a full and detailed report on the development potential of wind power, solar power and biomass energy, thereby proposing suitable policies.
AER will also help the city pilot a new project on tapping and manufacturing renewable energy in hi-tech agriculture or aquaculture processing, then review its efficiency and spread to other cities and provinces in the southwest, making Can Tho a vanguard in the region in terms of clean energy development.
Both sides will also work together on clean air, greenhouse gas emission, water drainage management and wastewater treatment projects.
The clean air project will target inner Can Tho areas, including Ninh Kieu and Binh Thuy districts, Tra Noc 1 and Tra Noc 2 industrial and processing zones, focusing on monitoring air quality, reviewing greenhouse emission and building an action plan.
Australian experts will also study water drainage in the locality and work out proper solutions.
Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Truong Quang Hoai Nam agreed with the Australian Consul General’s proposals and pledged to improve business climate, reform mechanisms to attract investment.
He expressed his hope that the Australian side will serve as a bridge connecting Can Tho with Australian government-funded projects, and hold regular meetings with Australian investors to introduce the city’s strengths and potentials.
Vietnam voices support for ASEAN-RoK ties at defence officers’ events
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh
A delegation of the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence has voiced its support for the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s ties with ASEAN, both bilaterally and multilaterally, affirming that this relationship will bring peace, stability and development to both sides.
The delegation, led by Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lt. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh, paid a working visit to the RoK from September 12 to 14 to attend an ASEAN-RoK deputy defence ministerial meeting and the seventh Seoul Defence Dialogue.
Deputy Minister Vinh told the Vietnam News Agency that the RoK Government is implementing its New Southern Policy, in which the ASEAN is a very important partner. It attaches importance to bilateral relations with each ASEAN member country, as well as multilateral connections with all members of the bloc.
At the deputy defence ministers’ meeting, the RoK expressed its hope that ASEAN will hold a critical position in the implementation of the New Southern Policy – including in politics, diplomacy, economy, and defence-military – so as to achieve the common goal of sustainable peace in the region. It also called for the 10 ASEAN members to support its new policy.
Vietnam has strong economic, diplomatic and political links with the RoK, so the latter also looks forwards to Vietnam’s support, he said.
Meanwhile, this year’s Seoul Defence Dialogue focused on how to build sustainable peace in Northeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific. Officials from 51 countries and leading military-defence scientists from around the world attended this event.
At the dialogue, the Vietnamese delegation highlighted cooperation to ensure marine security, noting that issues relating to this matter need to be solved by peaceful measures on the basis of international law, Vinh said.
He added that the Vietnamese side’s speech attracted attention and support from many foreign officials and researchers.
He emphasised that the country’s viewpoint on security, including maritime security, has been consistent despite situational changes. In particular, it has to ensure that it safeguards national sovereignty and security, pays attention to the security of the region and other nations, adheres to international law, and does not use or threaten to use force to solve conflicts.
Vietnam also demands the international community to behave in the same manner, the officer noted, adding that its consistent stance received great global support.
Aside from participating in the two aforementioned events, the Vietnamese delegation also met with high-ranking officials of the RoK Ministry of National Defence to review bilateral cooperation and prepare for a defence policy dialogue between the two countries’ deputy ministers in Hanoi this December.
Vinh said the RoK has cooperated with Vietnam in various fields and that this partnership has proven effective. The two sides have also worked together to ensure defence and contribute towards peace and stability.
Recently, a naval ship from the RoK visited Da Nang city – an event which received good feedback from the public in both Vietnam and the RoK, as well as the wider region. Vietnam will also send vessels to a naval parade in the RoK next month.
The two sides agreed that in the bilateral strategic partnership, defence cooperation must always be one of the key pillars to enhance mutual trust, he added.
During their stay in the RoK, the Vietnamese delegation also had working sessions with RoK post-war settlement agencies, the foreign ministry, and the Korea International Cooperation Agency.
The Deputy Minister said Vietnam had thanked the RoK for its assistance in addressing war consequences. The RoK recently provided Vietnam with 20 million USD in non-refundable aid to solve unexploded ordnance problems in Binh Dinh, Quang Binh and some other provinces. It has also helped improve Vietnam’s capacity of settling war consequences.
Additionally, the RoK’s support at international forums is particularly important as it affirms that although Vietnam is a war-torn nation but, with the international community’s assistance, the country has made active efforts to address those consequences, Vinh noted.
Vietnam, Estonia eye stronger bilateral ties
At the talks between Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and Estonian Foreign Minister Sven Mikser discussed specific measures to step up bilateral ties between Vietnam and Estonia during their talks in Hanoi on September 14.
They agreed on the need to intensify all-level delegation exchanges, maintain political consultation and coordination between the two foreign ministries, and continue to complete the legal framework in order to enhance cooperation in all spheres, especially economy, trade, and investment.
The two sides also consented to creating favourable conditions for Vietnam’s major exports – such as agro-forestry products, garments-textiles and wood products – to access the Estonian market and other Baltic countries, and for Estonia’s key items – such as IT, wood, and foodstuff products – to penetrate Vietnam and the ASEAN.
Deputy PM and FM Minh lauded the signing of the agreement on double taxation avoidance by Vietnam and Estonia, and suggested the two countries soon negotiate to reach the signing of an agreement on economic cooperation, thus facilitating bilateral economic, trade, and investment ties.
The officials consented to strengthening and expanding partnerships in areas with potential, such as education-training, agriculture, culture-tourism, and national defence and security.
The two sides spoke highly of effective bilateral affiliation at international forums and organisations, and concurred to continue with their close coordination at multilateral institutions and within the United Nations, the ASEM, and other multilateral forums at which both Vietnam and Estonia are members.
FM Sven Mikser affirmed that Estonia supports Vietnam in boosting comprehensive cooperation with the EU, including the early signing and ratification of the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement.
Host and guest noted with pleasure the active developments in bilateral relations since Estonian Prime Minister Andrus Ansip’s visit to Vietnam in 2011.
They also talked about regional and international issues of shared concern, stressing the significance of peace, stability, security, and navigation safety and freedom.
Estonia backs the standpoint of ASEAN and Vietnam on handling disputes in the East Sea by peaceful measures on the basis of respect for international law and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), Sven Mikser said.
The Estonian FM paid an official visit to Vietnam from September 13-14 at the invitation of Deputy PM and FM Minh.
Cuban delegation visits Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital
First Vice President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers of Cuba Salvador Valdes Mesa speaks to staff of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in the central province of Quang Binh
A high-ranking delegation from Cuba led by First Vice President of the Council of State and the Council of Ministers Salvador Valdes Mesa on September 14 visited the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital in the central province of Quang Binh – a symbol of the friendship between the two countries.
The hospital trip was part of the delegation’s working visit to Vietnam, who primarily came to mark the 45th anniversary of late Cuban leader Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in the south of Vietnam amidst the Vietnamese people’s resistance war against US imperialists.
In September 1973, during a visit to Quang Tri and Quang Binh provinces, President Fidel Castro decided to give Quang Binh a spacious and modern hospital in order to serve local people and injured soldiers from the war.
The construction of the hospital began on May 19, 1974 and it was put into operation on September 9, 1981 with 462 beds. The facility was considered one of the most modern and synchronous hospitals in Vietnam at that time.
In his speech to welcome the delegation, Director of the Vietnam-Cuba Friendship Hospital Duong Thanh Binh expressed his deep gratitude to the special attention of President Fidel Castro and the Cuban people for the people of Quang Binh.
He stressed that although 45 years have passed, the empathy of President Fidel Castro when he visited Quang Binh is still engraved in the memory of local people, especially the medical staff of the hospital.
The hospital is a valuable gift that Cuba has given to the people of Quang Binh and a beautiful symbol of the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Cuba, he said.
In recent years, the hospital has invested in upgrading infrastructure, equipment, and personnel training to improve the quality of medical examination and treatment.
The hospital also invited four Cuban medical experts in the areas of cardiovascular interventions, orthopedics, neurology, and oncology to work officially at the hospital from April 2018, he noted.
Binh highlighted the special attention paid by the two countries’ Parties and Governments, health ministries, and local authorities to the hospital’s development, saying that the hospital’s management board will continue to cooperate and invite more Cuban experts to work there, as well as sending its staff to Cuba to study advanced technologies.
He called for more support from the Parties, Governments, and health ministries of the two countries to help the hospital provide the best healthcare services for its people.
For his part, Salvador Valdes Mesa expressed his joy at visiting the hospital, which was one of the five facilities presented by President Fidel Castro to Vietnam.
He affirmed that Cuba is a small and poor country, but Cuba is willing to cooperate with and support Vietnam with all that it has.
The Cuban official encouraged medical experts from his country working at the hospital to do their utmost to support the hospital in examining and giving treatment to locals.
He expressed his belief that the solidarity and friendship between the two countries will be further strengthened.
The Cuban delegation then laid a wreath at President Fidel Castro’s monument in the hospital.
Salvador Valdes Mesa presented the hospital with a picture featuring President Fidel Castro’s visit to the liberated zone in the south of Vietnam.
VFF, French socio-economic council enhance cooperation
Vice President and Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Hau A Lenh has affirmed that VFF highly values work with the French Economic, Social and Environmental Council (CESE) to share experience in environmental protection, climate change response and industrial and household waste treatment.
During a working session with CESE President Patrick Bernasconi in Paris on September 17, Lenh congratulated CESE on the successful General Assembly of the International Association of Economic and Social Councils and Similar Institutions (AICESIS) 2018 in Paris.
Both sides agreed to share experience in waste treatment and personnel training, and soon sign a cooperation agreement in environmental protection.
The same day, Lenh and the VFF delegation attended the plenary session of AICESIS 2018, themed “Digital Society”, which attracted 14 countries representing Europe, Latin America, Africa and Asia and discussed the digital revolution’s impacts on socio-economic inequality and the role of digitalisation in governance and social partners.
Delegates agreed that a digital society is changing workforce demand and education.
The meeting heard a report on activities during 2018, a financial report for 2017, training for personnel aged below 30 and AICESIS’s major plans between now and 2019. It also admitted Serbia as a member.
Founded in 1999 to share experience and develop dialogues among members on the basis of respecting values of peace, security, democracy and human rights, AICESIS has helped establish socio-economic councils worldwide.
VFF became an affiliate member of AICESIS in 2009.
Vietnam, Russia target bilateral trade towards US$10 billion in 2020
Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Van Binh has affirmed Vietnam’s high determination to raise Vietnam-Russia trade to US$10 billion in 2020 at a meeting with Tivot Boris Yurievich, Russian Presidential Commissioner for Entrepreneurs’ Rights in Hanoi on September 14.
At the reception, Binh, who is also Politburo member and head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for Economic Affairs, applauded the growing Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership, as demonstrated by the recent successful visit to Russia by General Secretary of the CPV Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong.
He also underscored the Vietnamese Party and Government’s unwavering policy of furthering bilateral investment and economic cooperation on a par with the two countries’ political ties.
Binh suggested two governments offer the best possible conditions for business operations in their respective nations as a better way to further boost bilateral trade.
Tivot told his host that the President and entrepreneurs of Russia desire to increase investment and trade links with Vietnam, thus requiring more efforts to seek feasible measures to create a cooperation framework in the economic sector, particularly in hi-tech industry and agriculture.
He proposed closer coordination in legal rights protection for Vietnamese and Russian businesses, and consulted with Vietnamese authorities on measures to stimulate Russia’s economic growth in the aim of narrowing dependence on oil sources.
The Russian guest said he wishes that more activities would be launched to deepen mutual understanding and trust, and beef up bilateral cooperation.
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