The statement was made by Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh on March 17 in reply to reporters’ query related to China’s recent activities in Vietnam’s Hoang Sa archipelago.

 The Foreign Ministry is working intensively with China and countries along the Mekong River on together using the river’s water resource in a sustainable manner for harmonious interests of both the countries and their people living along the river.

 The French Chamber of Deputies on March 17 officially ratified the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the European Union.

 President of the National Assembly (NA) of France Claude Bartolone started his official visit to Vietnam on March 18.

A preliminary list of candidates standing for the upcoming National Assembly election was drawn up during the second consultation conference held by the Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee in Hanoi on March 17.

 The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) Endurance-class Landing Ship Tank (LST), RSS Endurance, led by Lieutenant Colonel Noel Chen Xin Yi, arrived at Cam Ranh Bay on March 17 to start a five-day port call.

 The upcoming visit to Vietnam by President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone is expected to further the strategic partnership between the two countries – which was signed in September 2013.

VietNamNet Bridge - 1988 is considered the peak year of Vietnam's difficulties when the economic crisis in the country worsened and Vietnam’s main supporter, the Soviet Union, was in a difficult situation.

 A State-level ceremony was held in Hanoi on March 16 to mark the completion of a project on increasing and upgrading border markers along the Vietnam – Laos boundary.

 Vietnam and Hungary signed a mutual legal assistance agreement on criminal matters, in Hanoi, on March 16, in the presence of President Truong Tan Sang.

Vietnam is speeding up reform, improving national governance capabilities and upholding democracy, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung assured Managing Director of IMF Christine Lagarde during a reception in Hanoi on March 16.

 The Hanoi Fatherland Front on March 15 received 87 application papers from candidates running for the deputies of the 14th National Assembly (NA).

 Chief Justice of the Supreme People’s Court Truong Hoa Binh hosted a reception in Hanoi on March 15 for Hungarian Minister of Justice László Trócsányi.

 President Truong Tan Sang had a meeting with Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei on March 15 as part of his State visit to the Middle East country.

 Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh and Secretary of Russia’s Security Council Nikolai Patrushev emphasised the need for regional countries to maintain peace and stability, and heighten the role of multilateral cooperation mechanisms.

 Memorial services for 64 Vietnamese soldiers who fought to protect Gac Ma Island (Johnson South Reef), part of the Truong Sa (Spratly) Archipelago, on March 14, 1988 were held in many localities across the country.

 President of the National Assembly of France Claude Bartolone will pay an official visit to Vietnam in March, announced the National Assembly’s external relations committee on March 15.

 Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang hoped for deeper cooperation between his ministry and the Federal Security Service (FSB) of the Russian Federation, making contributions to maintaining social order and ensure security in each nation.

 President Truong Tan Sang and his Iranian counterpart Hassan Rouhani have agreed to increase the exchange of high-level delegations and meetings between the two countries.

 Vietnam welcomes China’s plan to release water from its Jinghong Hydropower Station reservoir into the lower Mekong River in order to deal with drought in Vietnam from March 15-April 4.