Vietnamese Ambassador presents credentials to Egyptian President

Vietnam always treasures the traditional relations with Egypt, Vietnamese Ambassador to Egypt Do Hoang Long affirmed while presenting his credentials to Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el- Sisi at a ceremony on December 16.

Vietnam sees Egypt an important partner in the region, the Ambassador said, expressing his hope to receive support from Egyptian ministries and agencies during his tenure, contributing to lever up and deepen relations between two countries for mutual benefits.

The diplomat said that people-to-people exchange as well as official visits of high-ranking leaders will have significant meaning in elevating the relations to a new height in the coming time.

For his part, Egyptian President expressed his delight over the sound relations of two countries over the past few years. He hoped that Vietnamese Ambassador will do his utmost to maintain and strengthen the multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Egypt.

According to Vietnam’s Commercial Affairs Office in Egypt, two-way trade climbed from 187 million USD in 2010 to nearly 400 million USD in 2014. Of the figure, Vietnam’s export value reached 380 million USD.

Vietnam mainly exports mobile phones, spare parts, seafood, yarn, pepper, machines, equipment, coffee, cashew nuts, rubber and petrochemical products to Egypt.

Meanwhile, the Egyptian side ships yarn materials, leather, plastic materials, milk and dairy products, electronics and sugar to the Southeast Asian nation.

Vietnamese, Cambodian provinces pay heed to communications ties

A delegation from Cambodia’s Svay Rieng led by director of the provincial information department Keo Chanly had a working session with local media in the Mekong Delta province of Long An on December 16.

The meeting was part of the two localities’ cooperation deal to boost exchanges and contribute to developing the relationship between Vietnam and Cambodia.

At the discussion, both sides sought collaboration in covering stories by local press and television, focusing on culture, science-technology, trade and tourism.

They also encouraged delegation exchanges and joint reports.

They agreed to invite reporters from the two countries to cover regional and international events.

DPRK Ambassador vows to boost relations with Vietnam

Ambassador of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) to Vietnam Kim Myong Gil has said he will devote his efforts to propel the sound relations between the two countries forward.

He made the remark at a meeting with Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh in Hanoi on December 16.

The diplomat showed his delight at the significant achievements that Vietnam has gained in various fields, which helped increase the country’s position in the global area.

He also wished Vietnam success of the 12th National Party Congress.

For his part, Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh confirmed that Vietnam attaches great importance to relations with traditional friends, including the DPRK.

He appreciated the two countries’ effective coordination in conducting activities to celebrate the 65th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties.

He expressed his belief that the Ambassador will make active contributions to enhancing friendship and cooperation between the two countries during his tenure in Vietnam.

Draft reports on Party Central Committee’s performance discussed

The 11th Party Central Committee continued the 13th meeting on December 16 with focus on draft reports on its performance.

Participants looked into a draft report reviewing the 11th Party Central Committee’s leadership and another on the implementation of the working regulations of the current Central Committee, Political Bureau and Secretariat.

They also scrutinised a draft report on the execution of a resolution on Party building issued at the fourth meeting of the 11th Party Central Committee.

The 13th meeting is of paramount importance since it centres round preparations for and the organisation of the 12th National Party Congress, slated for early 2016, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong said at the meeting’s opening ceremony on December 14.

The event is scheduled to run through December 22.

Minister Bibeau announces partnership with DID in Vietnam

Minister of International Development and La Francophonie Marie-Claude Bibeau has announced Canada’s support for a development initiative that will help farmers throughout Vietnam, especially in rural areas, expand their businesses and improve the lives of their families by increasing access to agricultural financing.

The Minister made the announcement on December 16 toward the end of her three-day visit to Vietnam.

Canada’s partnership with Développement International Desjardins (DID) will help strengthen Vietnam’s banking system and contribute to sustainable economic growth and poverty reduction. It will help more families access financial services, stimulate the local economy and benefit from the cooperative model.

While in Vietnam, Minister Bibeau visited a Canadian-funded agriculture-development initiative in Ha Tinh province that is helping tea, pork and rice farmers not only increase their incomes and productivity but also ensure greater participation in and benefits from their agricultural value chains.

She also toured a tuberculosis lab within Hanoi’s National Lung Hospital and an HIV health clinic, which are supported through Canada’s contribution to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and to TB REACH. The Minister met with patients and health workers to get a better understanding of the issues related to the two diseases in Vietnam and the innovative approaches put in place to achieve better results.

Throughout her visit, Minister Bibeauengaged in bilateral meetings with senior Vietnamese officials, notably the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh. During these meetings, the Minister and the government officials discussed bilateral issues, regional affairs and the protection and promotion of human rights.

Minister Bibeaualso reaffirmed the importance Canada places on helping Vietnam fight the effects of climate change, especially given its impact on the poorest and most vulnerable people.

She also met with the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat to discuss food safety issues and the impact of climate change on agricultural growth in Vietnam.

Minister Bibeau also hosted a round-table meeting with civil society and media organizations that focused on strengthening these groups’ participation in citizen dialogue and in the development of social and economic policies in Vietnam.

She said, “I am pleased to reaffirm Canada’s commitment to helping Vietnam improve the lives of its poorest and most vulnerable citizens. Canada will maintain this partnership, which is contributing significantly to reducing poverty in Vietnam. There are other challenges to overcome, in particular with respect to agricultural development and institutional reform.”

VNA/VOV