Public Security Deputy Minister welcomes EU official

Deputy Minister of Public Security To Lam hosted a reception for Ugo Astuto, the European External Action Service’s Acting Managing Director for Asia and the Pacific, in Hanoi on December 14.

Deputy Minister Lam said hailed the freshly signed EU – Vietnam free trade agreement (EVFTA), saying it will underpin bilateral trade and investment in the long term.

The Ministry of Public Security wishes to strengthen and further develop win-win cooperation with the EU, especially in law enforcement.

Astuto, for his part, underscored that Vietnam is among the EU’s key partners in Southeast Asia and expressed his belief in the future growth of the ties.

Both sides also discussed shared concerns including law enforcement, ensuring social security and the implementation of international conventions.

The EVFTA is an inclusive agreement that ensures the balance of interests, with due consideration for the development gap between the two sides.

Vietnam and the EU will eliminate tariffs on over 99 percent of tariff lines. For the few remaining lines, the two sides will give each other a certain customs quota or partial reduction of customs tariffs.

Cambodia speaker starts official visit

President of the Senate of Cambodia Say Chhum will pay an official visit to Viet Nam from today to Thursday.

The visit is being made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

The Cambodian Senate leader will hold talks with his counterpart NA Chairman Hung and later meet Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Russia - high priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy: NA Vice Chairwoman

Vietnam attaches special importance to ties with Russia, considering Russia a high priority in its foreign policy, National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong told Chairman of the Federation Council of Russia’s Parliamentary Friendship Group with Vietnam A.Volkov during a reception in Hanoi on December 14.

The host expressed her delight at the close links between the Vietnamese National Assembly and the Federation Council of Russia, evidenced by the regular exchange of visits and sharing of legislation experience, as well as close mutual support at multilateral forums.

Volkov said the Vietnam-Russia ties are growing further on the back of heightened political relationship and economic-trade engagements, particularly in the strategic fields of energy, national defence, science-technology, education-training, and culture.

He said both sides need to continue facilitating exchanges and cooperation, with a focus on the national assembly activities.

China attaches importance to developing ties with Vietnam

China attaches importance to developing ties with Vietnam, Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinging said.

President Xi expressed his belief in the future prospect for the bilateral ties during his reception for Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi who presented his credentials on December 14.

The President spoke of Vietnam’s significant achievements in economic development, and regional and international integration.

Ambassador Khoi, for his part, expressed his pleasure to take office on the occasion of the celebration of 65th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

He said will do hi s utmost to further promote the Vietnam-China comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership.