Vietnam attends US Communist

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam took part in the 30th National Convention of the US Communist Party in Chicago, Illinois from June 13-15.

At the event, representatives from the delegation affirmed that the Vietnamese Party would continue to strengthen its relations with communist, labour and left-wing parties as well as its traditional friends.

They also thanked the US Communist Party for voicing its opposition to China's illegal installation of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Viet Nam's waters and for supporting Viet Nam's bid to resolve the issue through peaceful means and in accordance with international law.

Leader of the US Communist Party Sam Webb thanked the Vietnamese delegation for attending the event and agreed to further develop the links between the two Parties and people.

Vietnam, Cambodia armies to boost training partnership

Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Do Ba Ty and Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Cambodian Armed Force Pol Saroeun have agreed to step up cooperation in training in the coming time.

During their talks in Preah Sihanouk on June 16, both senior officers also reached a consensus on accelerating connections between military units stationed along the border shared by the two countries to ensure social security there.

Seninor Lieutenant General Ty, who is also Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, briefed his host of China ’s serious violation of Vietnam ’s sovereignty by illegally positioning its Haiyang Shiyou - 981 drilling rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

The act in early May poses a great challenge to peace, political security and stability in the region, Ty said, pointing to the necessity of enhancing unity among the ASEAN member countries in pushing for the creation of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea to put an end to every unilateral act of aggression.

The Vietnamese general spoke highly of the cooperation between the Vietnam People’s Army and the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces as well as the assistance provided by the Cambodian Government and army.

Such affiliation has enabled Vietnamese forces in 2013 to search and repatriate 468 sets of remains of Vietnamese soldiers who laid down their lives in Cambodia in wartime.

He expressed hope that this work could be accomplished by 2020.

The Vietnam People’s Army has so far lent a helping hand to the Cambodian army in infrastructure construction, human resources training and healthcare check-ups.

Later the same day, the Vietnamese officers paid a working visit to the Ream Naval Base, the largest of its kind of the Cambodian Royal Armed Forces, which has received training and equipment from the Vietnamese Navy for years.

In the morning, they paid a wreath at a memorial dedicated to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers in the city.

The Vietnamese delegation's visit from June 15 will be wrapped on June 18.

NA may beef up social insurance law

Most National Assembly deputies yesterday agreed that the draft amendments of the Social Insurance Law should strengthen State management and simplify related administrative procedures.

While discussing revisions to the law at the on-going seventh session of the NA, they also said the draft law should clarify the responsibilities of State management agencies and increase punishment for violations.

Deputy Ho Thi Thuy from the northern province of Vinh Phuc said existing problems included problems such as the increase in social insurance debt, inconvenient administrative procedures and shortcomings in the management and use of the social insurance fund.

She said better management, more inspections and stricter punishments for violators were therefore needed to protect the interests of workers.

Many deputies asked for the draft revisions to expand the coverage of social insurance beneficiaries to allow short-term contracted workers (from one month to 12 months) to take part.

Earlier, deputies debated the draft law on National Assembly organisation. Under it, a Secretary General will replace the current Secretariat at NA meeting.

NA continues discussing draft revised laws

National Assembly (NA) deputies on June 16 gathered at a plenary session to discuss the draft revised Law on NA Organisation.

They focused their discussions on scope of adjustment; functions, tasks and authority of the NA; NA deputies; delegations of NA deputies; the NA Standing Committee and other bodies.

The NA also heard Chairman of its Defence and Security Committee Nguyen Kim Khoa presenting a report on a draft law on exit, entry, transit and residence of foreigners in Vietnam . The deputies then in turn voted for Article 4, Article 44 and the entire law.

The draft revised Law on Social Insurance was also tabled during the session.

CPV boosts ties with Middle East- North Africa parties

A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations visited Egypt, Palestine and Israel from June 9-16 to strengthen cooperation with these countries’ parties.

During its June 14-16 stay in Egypt , the delegation, led by deputy head of the commission Nguyen Tuan Phong, had a working session with Assistant Foreign Minister for Asian Affairs Ahmed Ismail.

Both sides expressed their wish to push bilateral relations and implement signed agreements, while organising an inter-governmental meeting on economic, scientific and technological cooperation as soon as possible.

After being informed of the recent developments in the East Sea , Ahmed Ismail expressed his deep concern about the situation and said he supports efforts to settle the issue through political dialogues and peaceful means.

The Vietnamese delegation also met with leaders of the Communist Party, the Socialist Party and Al Watan Party in Egypt who said they admire Vietnam ’s struggle for national independence in the past as well as its current renewal process. They expressed hope to promote relations between their parties and the CPV.

Earlier in Palestine , the Vietnamese communists had a working session with the Fatah Party Central Committee and visited Hebron and Bethlehem cities. They were also received by President Abbas, who recalled the best memories during his Vietnam visit in 2008.

While in Israel , the delegation met with Deputy Foreign Minister Tzachi Hanegbi, who showed his pleasure at the sound cooperation between Vietnam and Israel in science-technology, agriculture, national defence and security.

Middle East-North Africa, with a population of over 520 million, is a market of great potential for Vietnam’s goods.

Despite their geographical distance, Vietnam and countries in the region have long established friendly relations, which serve as the foundation for them to develop all-round ties during recent years.