Japan have committed US$22 billion ODA

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka, Ha Noi, August 26, 2013 – Photo: VGP

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on Monday thanked Japan for having pledged to grant around US$22 billion in official development assistance to Viet Nam over the past 20 years.

PM Nguyen Tan Dung and JICA President Akihiko Tanaka, Ha Noi, August 26, 2013 – Photo: VGP

The Government chief made the statement during his meeting with President of Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Akihiko Tanaka who is on a working visit to Viet Nam.

Around US$14 billion have been disbursed, effectively contributing to socio-economic development in Viet Nam.

PM Dung expressed his hope that Japan would continue to provide ODA for the Southeast Asian country, especially for such fields like infrastructure development and climate change response.

He also asked JICA to coordinate closely with Vietnamese ministries and agencies to fruitfully realize joint investment projects.

President Akihiko Tanaka hoped Viet Nam would further create favorable conditions for Japanese investors to do business here, pay more attention to site clearance and arrange corresponding capital to ODA projects.

JICA would spare no effort to consolidate and enhance the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, the JICA President affirmed.

Viet Nam, S Korea leaders consider science co-operation

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan yesterday (Aug 27) met South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoon Byung Se to discuss co-operation in science and technology, education and human resources between the two countries.

Nhan's visit was warmly welcomed and appreciated by Byung Se, especially as it preceded the upcoming official visit of South Korean President Park Geun Hye to Viet Nam – expected to take place early next month.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan (L) yesterday met South Korean Minister of Foreign Affairs Yoon Byung Se to discuss co-operation in science and technology, education and human resources between the two countries.— Photos VGP

Byung Se expressed his hope for further co-operation between the two countries in terms of education and science and technology, mentioning the importance of co-operation between the Korean Institute of Science and Technology (KIST) and the Viet Nam–Korean Institute of Science and Technology (V-KIST).

The two leaders also discussed co-operation for the new project of constructing a Government Integrated Data Centre in Viet Nam.

He affirmed South Korea would ensure close co-ordination among relevant State agencies to work towards enhancement of the constant strategic partnership relations between the two countries.

He added that South Korea, as the world's fifth leading country on nuclear power technology, would provide intellectual support to Viet Nam in the field if ever requested.

On his part, Nhan reaffirmed Viet Nam's current efforts to curb instances of Vietnamese workers staying illegally in South Korea on expiration of their contract, while urging close co-operation from South Korean State agencies in charge of the matter.

He asked South Korea to reconsider welcoming Vietnamese workers.

He also asked South Korea to actively work to step up the negotiation process towards the signing of a mutual legal assistance agreement in civil affairs and trade which would help promote economic co-operation and exchanges between Vietnamese and South Korean people.

Nhan informed Young Se of the new tentative project that would incorporate South Korean language training into the curriculum of Viet Nam's high schools in addition to other foreign languages such as English, Chinese, Russian, French and German.

That same day, Nguyen Thien Nhan also visited the Export-Import Bank of Korea (KEXIM), where he witnessed the signing of a memorandums of understanding between three Vietnamese vocational training schools and two South Korean vocational schools specialising in car repair and fitness and make-up training.

He also visited Vietnamese Embassy staff in South Korea as well as the South Korean Government Integrated Data Centre (NCIA) and the Institute of Science and Technology.

Through all the activities mentioned, Nhan had completed all of the targets set for his busy trip to South Korea, which started on August 26 and ends today.

JICA: Japan supports VN development

Japan continues to support Vietnam in achieving its key goal to become an industrial and modern country by 2020, said Japan International Cooperation Agency President Tanaka Akihiko.

In an exclusive interview with Vietnam News on August 27, Akihiko said Vietnam still needs various development demands that require financial and technical support despite becoming a middle-income country in 2010.

"Though Vietnam has become a middle-income country – an important milestone – I acknowledge that the support principle of Japan to Vietnam is unchanged," he said.

"Japan will continue to help Vietnam achieve the key goal of becoming an industrial and modern country by 2020 and meet the country's 5 and 10-year socio-economic development strategies." confirmed Akihiko.

He noted Vietnam has faced many challenges en route to achieving its goal of industrialisation and infrastructure improvement, plus greater human resources training, policy and institutional reform.

"Financial resources required for Vietnam's basic infrastructure development will be a huge number, so besides foreign loans, Vietnam should mobilise capital from the private sector and this will be a challenge requiring priority handling in Vietnam" said Akihiko.

ODA priorities will be given to Vietnam in three main pillars: fostering economic development and strengthening competitive ability through infrastructure building; enhancement of state management; and assistance for vulnerable groups through support of locality, health and health care development.

Japan will also help Vietnam reform State enterprises and cope with environmental problems such as climate change and disasters, according to Akihiko.

Explaining the role of ODA in Japan's economic foreign policy, the JICA president said in the current climate of globalisation, Japan believes it is necessary to foster friendly relations with other countries in the world. The development and peace of friendly countries retain a large impact on Japan's development and peace.

"Taking Vietnam as an example, convenient economic development of Vietnam will increase Japan's investment. This not only contributes to boosting growth for Vietnam but is also an advantage for Japan's economy. Infrastructure development through ODA sources will contribute to promoting foreign investment," stressed Akihiko.

Japan has now become Vietnam's biggest source of bilateral assistance over the past 20 years. Japan has supported socio-economic development in the Southeast Asian nation through infrastructure building, human resources training, plus mechanism and policy reforms.

Last year marked the 20th anniversary of Japanese ODA support to Vietnam and Japan has provided 1,836 billion JPY (approximately 18.785 billion USD) in ODA loans to Vietnam over the past two decades.

Vietnam seeks further defence ties with Philippines

Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has asked the Filipino President to further promote defence ties between the two countries.

During a meeting with President Benigno S. Aquino III in Manila on August 27, General Thanh, who was on a two-day visit to the Philippines at the invitation of Filipino Secretary of Defence Voltaire Tuvera Gazmin, expressed delight at the fruitful cooperation between the two countries.

He highlighted the progress made in defence ties, while acknowledging that more needs to be done to improve things further. He raised the suggestion that the countries share more of their experiences in protecting maritime territorial sovereignty and exclusive economic zones.

Praising Vietnam’s role in the region and the ties shared between Vietnam and the Philippines, President Aquino said the visit of Vietnam’s top defence leader will contribute to foster the friendship between the two peoples and armed forces, benefiting both countries.

He pledged support for the two militaries to fulfill all their agreements, which are mostly focused on personnel training and cooperation between the two coast guard forces.

Earlier on August 26, General Thanh held talks with his Filipino counterpart Voltaire Tuvera Gazmin. The two sides shared pleasure at their growing defence ties and agreed that further cooperation is in the interests of regional peace, stability, cooperation and development.

They approved plans to exchange delegations at all levels and set up a deputy ministerial defence policy dialogue.

Both General Thanh and his counterpart agreed to boost their cooperation in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief while continuing mutual support at multilateral forums.

The Vietnamese defence minister thanked the Filipino Government and army for rescuing and helping Vietnamese fishermen in distress at sea, and proposed that the Philippines continue their humanitarian treatment to Vietnamese fishermen violating its maritime sovereignty.

During his stay, the general also visited the Philippines’s Coast Guard and the Vietnamese Embassy in Manila.

President welcomes four new ambassadors

President Truong Tan Sang has made it clear that Viet Nam stands ready to act as a bridge to enhance relations between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and Austria, Armenia, Sudan and Congo.

Receiving the newly-appointed ambassadors of Austria, Armenia, Sudan and Congo to Viet Nam in Ha Noi yesterday (Aug 27), Sang pledged all possible support for the ambassadors to fulfill their assigned tasks.

Time-honoured ties between Viet Nam and the aforementioned countries would be a firm foundation for them to boost trade and investment co-operation, he said.

The ambassadors of Austria, Armenia, Sudan and Congo conveyed their Presidents' invitation to Sang to visit the countries to bring bilateral ties to new heights.

Vietnam’s National Day celebration in Sydney

A ceremony has been held by the Vietnamese Consulate General in Sydney to mark the 68th anniversary of Vietnam’s August Revolution and National Day (September 2).

Addressing the event in New South Wales, Australia on August 27, consul general Mai Phuoc Dung reviewed major achievements recorded by the Vietnamese people over the past 68 years since late President Ho Chi Minh delivered the Declaration of Independence at historic Ba Dinh square in Hanoi on September 2, 1945.

He emphasized that from a poor and backward nation, Vietnam has become a middle-income country with a strong and stable political system and a full member with its high sense of responsibility in the international arena.

Dung said since the establishment of Vietnam-Australia diplomatic ties in 1973, the two countries have seen impressive growth in economic, political, security and education relations.

Since early this year, a series of visits exchanged between leaders of both nations have given a boost to these relations.

In recent years, relations between New South Wales and Vietnam have continued to growth and flourish, especially in education, training, infrastructure construction, and assistance in easing the pains of Agent Orange victims.

Dung highlighted the active contribution of Vietnamese residents in New South Wales. For the fifth consecutive years, Vietnamese students have been listed in the top ten winners of New South Wales’ Outstanding International Student Award.

At the ceremony, the Governor of New South Wales, Professor Marie Bashir, congratulated the Vietnamese Government and people on its 68th National Day.

She highlighted the growing relationship between the two nations as well as the Vietnamese community’s contribution to New South Wales. She expressed her deep love for Vietnam – a beautiful land with hospitable people.

PM Dung to attend ASEAN–China trade discussions

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will attend the 10th ASEAN–China Expo and ASEAN–China Business and Investment Summit in Nanning City, China's Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, on September 2 and 3.

PM Dung's participation will come at the invitation of the Chinese Government, said the Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday (Aug 27).

Hanoi, Fukuoka bolster cooperation

Chairman of the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao and the visiting Governor of Japan’s Fukuoka prefecture Ogawa Hiroshi on August 27 signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on fostering friendship and cooperation.

Both sides agreed to create a favourable living environment by developing human resources and education, raising people’s awareness and exchanging technologies and experiences.

They also concurred with each other to enhance cooperation in culture and exchange activities among younger generations and business communities.

At their meeting, Thao said that the two localities have implemented joint projects and hosted events to further bilateral ties, bringing practical results.

He voiced his hope that Hanoi and Fukuoka will boost their cooperation and investment in trade and tourism as well as the exchange of experience in building management and development policies in the coming time.

For his part, the Japanese guest also expressed his expectation that both sides will tighten relations to reinforce business, tourism and study exchanges.

He noted that the prefecture will host “Fukuoka Days in Hanoi” from August 29-31 to popularize its image, culture and industries to Hanoians. An exhibition will also be held to encourage Vietnamese students to study in Fukuoka.

Deputy PM visits Boston for Harvard leadership programme

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc arrived in Boston last Sunday to attend the annual Viet Nam Executive Leadership Programme (VELP) at Harvard University.

Upon arrival, Phuc was met by Vietnamese researchers and students working and studying in the US, who expressed their wish for a working environment at home that would allow them to contribute to the national development following their graduation.

The Deputy PM spoke highly of the close bonds that links the nation with the overseas Vietnamese community in the US.

He also hailed the recently-established Vietnamese Youth and Students Association in the US, adding that he hoped the organisation would help connect all Vietnamese students in the US so that they could support each other in life and work.

Before travelling to Boston, Phuc met with US Secretary of Justice Eric Holder and Secretary of Health and Human Services Kathleen Sebelius in Washington.

He also held working sessions with the US Agency for International Development, the Global AIDS Coordinator, the Federal Drug Policy Coordination Office and the Washington DC Drug Court.

Phuc also had a short stay in New York where he met with staff of the Viet Nam Permanent Mission to the United Nations.

New decree on marine police issued

VietNamNet Bridge – The Marine Police Department has been renamed the High Command of Marine Police under a decree issued by the Prime Minister on August 27.

Decree No. 96/2013/ND-CP amends and supplements Decree No. 86/2009/ND-CP, dated October 19, 2009, which guides the implementation of several articles of the Ordinance on the Vietnam Marine Police.

Accordingly, the post of Head of the Marine Police Department will also be changed to Marine Police Commander.

The new decree states that Vietnam’s marine police is a specialised force of the State which operates in line with Vietnamese law on the basis of respect for and observance of international treaties in which Vietnam is a member.

The Defence Minister, who is responsible to the Prime Minister and the National Assembly for State management over the force, will directly steers activities of the marine police.

The Prime Minister will appoint the Commander, Political Commissar, Vice Commanders, and Vice Political Commissar at the proposal of the Defence Minister.

The new decree will come into effect from October 12 this year.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA