Vietnam, Cambodia enhance cooperation in border management

Leaders of the two agencies sign a memorandum of understanding at the conference 

Vietnam’s Border Guard High Command and the General Immigration Department under Cambodia’s Ministry of Interior held a conference on cooperation in immigration and anti-transnational criminals in Phnom Penh on December 14.

The event was co-chaired by Lieut. Gen. Hoang Xuan Chien, Commander of the Vietnamese Border Guard, and Kirth Chantharith, Director-General of the Cambodian General Immigration Department.

At the conference, the two sides reviewed the results of cooperation in 2018 and discussed orientations in 2019. 

They reached consensus that the two sides well exchanged information on illegal immigration, smuggling and activities of transnational criminals, among others, thus contributing to security-order maintenance in border and border gate areas.

In 2019, the two sides agreed to continue the implementation of signed agreements and create favourable conditions for trade activities through border gates, contributing to the socio-economic development, as well as solidarity, friendship and mutual understanding between Vietnam’s Border Guard High Command and Cambodia’s General Immigration Department and the two countries’ people in general.

They also consented to bolster information exchange on national security, social order and safety, immigration, activities of criminals in border areas, border gates and related issues for prompt cooperation.

The two sides will collaborate in border gate management, immigration surveillance, and streamlining of administrative procedures, along with prevention of transnational criminals and dissemination of signed treaties and agreements between Vietnam and Cambodia.

At the end of the conference, a memorandum of understanding was inked by the two agencies.

PM urges An Giang to lure more major businesses

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits an exhibition within the conference. 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc asked the Mekong Delta province of An Giang to continuously improve its investment environment, with attention paid to human resources quality and infrastructure, while addressing an investment promotion conference held by the province on December 15.

An Giang should seek ways to attract capable businesses and develop global brands for local products, he said. 

Technological application would create a foundation for a developed processing industry, tapping potential and natural advantages of the locality in aquaculture and agriculture, towards a modern agriculture, he suggested. 

The leader urged An Giang to utilise its advantages of handicrafts, distinctive culture and landscapes to develop tourism, saying An Giang is a spotlight of Mekong tourism. 

He described An Giang, Kien Giang and Ca Mau provinces and Can Tho city as ‘horses’  to fuel the Mekong Delta’s growth, and asked regional localities to seek effective and result-oriented cooperation mechanisms and policies. 

PM Phuc lauded the successful operation of many groups in the locality in the sphere of agricultural production, and noted his wish that enterprises will run long-term business in An Giang, helping spur local socio-economic development.

An Giang should bring into full play its advantages, especially the local business environment and the quality of its institutions and human resources in State administration, in order to become a model in the development of value chains and sector clusters. 

The province is expected to make significant breakthroughs and a success story after the issuance of the Government’s Resolution No. 120 on developing the Mekong Delta adaptable to climate change. 

At the conference, PM Phuc announced the Mekong Delta’s transport planning orientations.

An Giang has been dubbed as the capital of rice and tra fish and an economic and trade centre connected with Ho Chi Minh City, Can Tho City and the Cambodian capital city of Phnom Penh. 

It has been seen as the gateway for Vietnam and other Mekong Delta cities and provinces to Cambodia and other member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). 

Aquaculture is the spearhead economic sector of An Giang with a total farming area of 2,700ha and an output of over 379,000 tonnes of different kinds of fish and shrimp each year.

Tra and basa fish are the province’s strategic product, being raised on 1,734 hectares with an output of 287,000 tonnes a year.

Seventeen businesses are operating in the locality with 23 factories specialised in seafood processing in service of exports, with an annual accumulated capacity of 400,000 tonnes.

At the conference, An Giang presented decisions on investment plans for 25 projects engaging in agriculture, trade-service-tourism, industry, construction, and healthcare, and others on investment pledges totalling an estimated 132 trillion VND for nine investors. 

Supreme courts of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia bolster cooperation

At the fifth conference of border provinces’ courts of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia 

The supreme courts of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia have agreed to strengthen bonds in the combat against criminals and the settlement of trans-border civil cases.

In a joint statement issued at their fifth conference of border provinces’ courts which took place in Phnom Penh, Cambodian on December 14-15, they were unanimous that in the context of more complicated and unpredictable global developments such as terrorism and territorial disputes, cooperation among the three supreme courts and courts in the border localities has had an increasing role in maintaining regional security and stability.

Since the ASEAN Economic Community was set up, trade and investment among the three countries have been thriving. However, it has triggered several formidable challenges, including rising level of complexity and severity in criminal cases, and international trade conflicts.

Thus, it needs strong bonds among the three judicial bodies and the establishment of a coordinating board to address criminal cases, cross-border disputes in civil affairs and trade will have positive impact on the global integration process in each country.

The three supreme courts reached consensus on strategies and multilateral cooperation mechanisms. Accordingly, they will enhance experience exchange in trial of civil and criminal cases, as well as collaboration in the fight against trafficking of drugs, human and wildlife animals.

They reiterated that the collaboration will help promote traditional friendship, which is deemed as a key to stability and development of each nation.

Before attending the conference, Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court of Vietnam Nguyen Hoa Binh had a meeting with Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Cambodia Dith Munty.

The first and fourth conferences were held in Vietnam, while the second and the fifth were held in Cambodia, and the third in Laos. 

The sixth edition of its kind is due to take place in Laos.

Founding anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army marked in Algeria

Delegates at the ceremony marking the 74th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army in Algiers 

Vietnam’s Embassy and Defence Attaché Office in Algeria held a ceremony in Algiers on December 16 to mark the 74th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22).

Representatives from the Algerian Defence Ministry and diplomatic corps in Algeria, as well as foreign defence and military attachés in the country attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Defence Attaché Colonel Duong Duc Thuan recalled the heroic tradition of the VPA in the past struggle for national liberation and its building of a regular, elite and modern army to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at present.

Thuan said that implementing the Vietnamese Party and State’s foreign policy, the VPA always wants to consolidate and develop its traditional friendship and cooperation with the armies of Algeria and other nations.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru underlined the fine relations between the two countries in general and the two armies in particular, especially the mutual support in their past struggles for national liberation and current national building and development.

Vinh Phuc looks to attract more investment from Italy

Authorities of the northern province of Vinh Phuc always support and create the most favourable conditions for Italian firms, especially those operating in producing hi-tech auto accessories and components,to expand investment in the locality, a local leading official has said. 

Party Central Committee member, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Hoang Thi Thuy Lan, who is also head of the provincial Steering Committee for investment promotion, made the affirmation at meetings with representatives from Italian firms and leaders of the European country’s localities during her working trip to Italy from December 14-15.

In the working session with representatives from Piaggio and officials from the Tuscany, Lan briefed them on sectors that Vinh Phuc is calling for investment, as well as the province’s socio-economic development. 

The locality will continue to facilitate the operation of Piaggio in Vinh Phuc in the time to come, she said. 

Alessandro Zazzeri, Vice Chairman of Piaggio Group, appreciated the Vietnamese Government in general and Vinh Phuc province in particular for incentives that they have given to the firm during its production and business in Vietnam.

In its development strategy, Piaggio will continue to expand its production in Vietnam, while committing to introducing and calling on manufacturers of accessories for the automobile and motorbike industry to seek partners and boost investment in Vinh Phuc, he said.

During their stay inItaly, the delegation of Vinh Phuc had a working session with representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in the European country, during which Lan expressed her hope that the embassy will help connect the locality with Italian potential investors. 

Vinh Phuc is home to 322 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects worth 4.3 billion USD from 16 countries and territories.

Piaggio is running two investment projects of motorcycle manufacturing and assembling in the province with a total registered capital of 95.7 million USD. It yearly contributes hundreds of billions of VNDto the local budget.

Ambassador lauds Vietnam-Laos ties ahead of Deputy PM’s trip

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh hosts a reception for Lao Deputy Foreign Minister Khamphau Ernthavan 

Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Ba Hung lauded growing Vietnam – Laos ties during an interview granted to the media on December 14 on the occasion of Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh’s working trip to Laos from December 16-19.

During the trip, the Deputy PM will attend the fourth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on Mekong-Lancang Cooperation (MLC), pay an official visit to Laos, and co-chair the fifth ministerial-level political consultation between the two countries.

Hung said via high-level visits and exchanges, leaders of the two Parties and States have reached important and strategic agreements to shape orientations for bilateral ties in the long-term while friendly collaboration between ministries, departments and agencies at the central and local levels has brought about practical results. 

Further attention has been paid to raising public awareness, especially young generations, of the significance of bilateral relationship. Both sides have completed and popularised the document “History of Vietnam – Laos Special Relationship 1930-2007”, and effectively held hundreds of events, particularly during the Year of Vietnam – Laos, Laos – Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship 2017, not only in each country but also in Vietnamese and Lao representative offices abroad, contributing to popularising their special, loyal and pure ties to international friends. 

In economic terms, Vietnam remains one of the biggest investors and major trade partners of Laos. Many Vietnamese firms built welfare facilities such as schools, hospitals and roads to reduce poverty and improve intellectual standards in Laos. Connectivity between the two economies, especially in infrastructure and transportation, has been strengthened. 

The ambassador expressed his belief that Laos will become an important transit hub in Southeast Asia on the back of cooperation with Vietnam and regional countries. 

In education, the two countries launched the project on improving the quality and efficiency of Vietnam – Laos coordination in education and human resources development for the 2011-2020 period. Each year, Vietnam offers 1,000 short-term and long-term training courses to Laos, More than 14,600 Lao students are studying in Vietnam while hundreds of Vietnamese students are pursuing education in Laos. 

Bilateral national defence-security links have been strengthened with the completion of a project on increasing and upgrading Vietnam – Laos national border markers, the signing of an agreement on Vietnam – Laos border and border marker management regulations, and a Protocol on Vietnam – Laos borderline and border markers. 

Along with bilateral cooperation framework, the fraternal solidarity has been reflected at regional and global forums such as the United Nations, ASEAN and sub-regional cooperation, contributing to improving each country’s prestige and stature in the region and the world. 

According to the diplomat, the two nations will give the top priority to lifting Vietnam – Laos traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation to a greater height, considering ties between the two Parties as crucial and the tightening of political ties and mutual trust as a pillar in bilateral relations. 

About the significance of the Deputy PM Minh’s attendance at the fourth Foreign Ministers’ Meeting on MLC from December 16-17 with the participation of six coastal countries of Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and China, Hung said it manifests Vietnam’s appreciation for MLC mechanism, affirms Vietnam’s role in Mekong sub-regional cooperation and the country’s promotion of contents matching her interests. 

At the invitation of Lao Foreign Minister Saleumxay Kommasith, Deputy PM, FM Minh will pay an official visit to Laos and co-chair the fifth ministerial-level political consultation from December 18-19. It will afford both sides a chance to review ties between the two foreign ministries over the past years, outline orientations to bilateral links in 2019, and share experience in external relations, he said.

Founding anniversary of Vietnam People’s Army marked in Algeria

Delegates at the ceremony marking the 74th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army in Algiers 

Vietnam’s Embassy and Defence Attaché Office in Algeria held a ceremony in Algiers on December 16 to mark the 74th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) (December 22).

Representatives from the Algerian Defence Ministry and diplomatic corps in Algeria, as well as foreign defence and military attachés in the country attended the event.

Speaking at the event, Defence Attaché Colonel Duong Duc Thuan recalled the heroic tradition of the VPA in the past struggle for national liberation and its building of a regular, elite and modern army to safeguard the country’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity at present.

Thuan said that implementing the Vietnamese Party and State’s foreign policy, the VPA always wants to consolidate and develop its traditional friendship and cooperation with the armies of Algeria and other nations.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Quoc Tru underlined the fine relations between the two countries in general and the two armies in particular, especially the mutual support in their past struggles for national liberation and current national building and development.

Vietnamese NA delegation visits Argentina

A delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly led by Vice Chairwoman of the NA's Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children Ngo Thi Minh has paid a working visit to Argentina from December 10-15. 

The visit aims to contribute to promoting and deepening the strategic partnership between the two countries’ State, people and legislative bodies.  

During their stay, Vietnamese officials paid courtesy visits to leaders of the Senate of Argentina. They also worked with representatives from the Senate’s Committee on Education and Culture; the Buenos Aires City Legislature, and those from the Argentina-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians' Group and the Argentina-Vietnam Culture Institute. 

At working sessions, Argentine parliamentarians said the Vietnamese delegation’s visit has helped strengthen not only cooperation between the two sides’ legislatures but also the traditional friendship between the two governments and peoples, especially in 2018 when the two countries marked the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. 

The Argentine side stressed that Vietnam is always its leading partner in Asia, expressing the hope to expand the bilateral relations in all fields. 

Argentine officials said the open foreign policy to befriend with all countries in the world has helped Vietnam not only achieve breakthrough development in economy and social welfare, but also increase her role and position in the international arena. 

For her part, Minh, who is also Chairwoman of the Vietnam-Argentina Friendship Parliamentarians' Group, said the visit offers a good chance for the two countries’ legislative bodies to share experience and operation, and enhance cooperation between the two friendship parliamentarians' groups and mutual understanding between the two peoples, thus tightening the bilateral relations. 

Minh stressed that Vietnam always looks to further foster comprehensive 

relations with Argentina in the time to come, towards boosting cooperation across fields. 

During meetings, the two sides shared experience in issues related to culture, education and youth so that they can best perform their role in monitoring the implementation of laws, resolutions of the National Assembly, as well as policies in these fields.

The Vietnamese delegation also discussed with Argentine partners orientations and measures to enhance cooperation in the coming time.

During the visit, Vietnamese delegates laid a wreath at the monument of President Ho Chi Minh in Buenos Aires, and visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Argentina.