Vietnam opens honorary consulate in Israel

Vietnam opened a honorary consulate in the Israeli city of Haifa on March 17.

Igal David Ahouvi, an Israeli businessman, has been appointed as honorary consul of Vietnam in the city.

On the occasion, Haifa Mayor Yona Yahav emphasised the importance of the opening to further boosting bilateral ties between the two countries.

He underlined his city’s role in and contribution to the Israeli economy, and affirmed his wish to step up the city’s multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, especially in economics, technology and education.

For his part, Ambassador Ta Duy Chinh said the new office will enhance bilateral ties between two countries, and Vietnam and Haifa in particular.

He said he hopes the city will support the honorary consul to foster business and investment partnerships between the two sides.

Last year, two-way trade exceeded 600 million USD, a year-on-year surge of 37.9 percent. Vietnamese exports accounted for two-thirds of the trade figure.

The two sides have teamed up in agriculture, telecommunications and industry.-

President Sang leaves Tokyo for Osaka

President Truong Tan Sang on March 19 left Tokyo for Osaka, one of Japan’s largest economic centres, continuing his State-level visit to Japan.

At a farewell party hosted by the Emperor and Empress, President Sang thanked the Royal family, government and people of Japan for their warm welcome and expressed his belief Vietnam-Japan relations will further develop into the future.

He visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Tokyo and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community there.

Sang confirmed that his State-level visit to Japan was successful and that both countries have agreed to lift their ties to an extensive strategic partnership status for peace and prosperity in Asia.

The President said Vietnam and Japan have reached a high level of political trust in their relations.

He attributed the growing ties to the efforts by the government and people of Vietnam, including Vietnamese residents living in Japan.

Sang asked every Vietnamese agency and individual in Japan to work harder to realise reached agreements.

Osaka is President Sang’s last stopover during his Japan visit.

He is scheduled to leave for Hanoi in the evening of the same day.

President meets high-profile Japanese officials

President Truong Tan Sang met with high-profile Japanese officials and business executives in Tokyo on March 18, expressing hope that they will offer more support to Vietnam’s growth.

At a reception for President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Tanaka Akihiko, Sang suggested JICA as the Japanese government’s coordinating agency on ODA cooperation further assists Vietnam in building specialised industrial zones in Hai Phong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau as soon as possible, as part of efforts to realise Vietnam’s industrialisation strategy.

Hailing Vietnam’s automated cargo clearance system, he sought Japan’s commitment to the project’s second phase and called for JICA’s attention to the ongoing construction of Bach Dang Bridge linking with the Quang Ninh – Hanoi - Hai Phong triangle, besides Van Tien Bridge and Van Don economic zone.

Sang said his visit gives priority to agriculture and personnel training cooperation. He affirmed that the Government of Vietnam will direct ministries and agencies to effectively carry out projects funded by Japan’s official development assistance as scheduled.

Akihiko confirmed that JICA values its partnership with Vietnam and will launch key projects in the coming time.

Welcoming Executive Managing Director of the Japan Bank for International Cooperation (JBIC) Hiroshi Watanabe, the State leader asked JBIC to help Japanese firms expand operations in Vietnam.

The country will further improve its business climate, making it easier for Japanese enterprises to operate effectively, he promised.

Watanabe said JBIC stands ready to provide 10-15 year credit packages for Vietnam’s infrastructure projects and coordinate joint work in the public-private partnership model.

The same day, Sang also met with business executives of Japan’s Daiwa Security, Mitsubishi and OPC Foundation, during which he noted the potential of all-around links between the two nations remains huge.

According to the President, Vietnam’s industrialisation strategy, with six priority fields and progress in regional economic linkage such as the future ASEAN Community and the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, will open up new economic cooperation opportunities.

He asked them to do their part to promote Japanese investment inflows into Vietnam, which in turn will provide them with all possible business incentives.

Holding a working session with President of the Japan–Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Alliance (JVPFA) Nikai Toshihiro, the Vietnamese leader hailed JVPFA’s initiative to establish the Vietnam–Japan University in Hanoi, expressing hope that it will generate qualified graduates for Vietnam and the region at large.

Both sides also openly discussed measures to beef up the strategic partnership between the two nations.

Also on the day, President Sang received President of the Japanese Democratic Party Banri Kaieda and President of Your Party Yoshimi Watanabe.-

President Sang addresses Japanese parliamentarians

The close cooperation between the Vietnamese and Japanese legislative bodies has laid an important legal foundation for the two countries’ relations to follow the right track and ceaselessly develop.

President Truong Tan Sang made the point in his speech delivered before the National Diet of Japan on March 18 during his State-level visit to the country from March 16-19.

He attributed the two countries’ major developments to the strong support of the two legislatures, including contributions from the Vietnam-Japan Friendship Parliamentarians Group and the Japan-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Alliance.

He recalled the long-standing relationship between Vietnam and Japan since the 8 th century when a Buddhist monk named Phat Triet carried on his missionary work in Japan. He is now worshipped by locals in Nara city.

Over four centuries ago, Japanese businesses built a Japanese street in Hoi An city, the central province of Quang Nam, and set up trade ties with their Vietnamese partners at Pho Hien town (now Hung Yen province in the north), he said.

Despite geographical distance, similarities in culture and historical links have helped bring the two nations closer, serving as a firm foundation for the sustainable development of their relationship, the President noted.

The Vietnam-Japan relationship has developed in a comprehensive manner over the past four decades, he said, citing the establishment of a strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia in 2009.

The partnership has brought great and practical benefits for the two countries’ people while affirming that tolerance, dialogue, mutual respect and cooperation for mutual benefits are the best solutions for countries.

Japan has become Vietnam’s leading and significant partner, helping the country on the path of industrialisation and modernisation, the leader said.

He further said Japan’s official development assistance (ODA) has been used effectively in Vietnam, especially in infrastructure, schools, hospitals, plants, seaports and aviation.

President Sang used the occasion to thank the legislature, Government and people of Japan for their assistance to Vietnam even when the country was struggling to overcome consequences of earthquakes and tsunami in 2011.

Apart from bilateral cooperation, Vietnam and Japan have also joined hands at major multilateral forums such as the United Nations, the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the International Parliamentary Union (IPU), the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) and the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+).

He affirmed Vietnam’s support for Japan’s permanent membership of the UN Security Council to contribute to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Vietnam also highly appreciated Japan’s initiatives to spur cooperation for regional peace and stability, including one on the Expanded ASEAN Maritime Forum (EAMF), the President said.

Concluding his address, the leader thanked the Japanese legislative body for its interest and support to Vietnam and called on parliamentarians to continue backing measures to elevate the Japan-Vietnam relationship to a new height.

Vietnam seeks close trade ties with Switzerland

Switzerland is Vietnam’s key economic partner in Europe, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung told President of the Swiss National Council Ruedi Lustenberger in Geneva on March 18.

Hung said the ties of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Switzerland have developed strongly over the years. The two countries’ legislative bodies have supported each other at bilateral and multilateral forums.

The parliament and government of Switzerland prioritise providing official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam. They recently decided to increase ODA for Vietnam over 2013-2016.

Swiss ODA has been used efficiently in Vietnam, greatly contributing to the country’s poverty reduction, rural development, environmental protection, economic development, and international integration, Hung told his host.

He proposed both sides increase high-level visit exchanges to promote mutual understanding and trust to develop bilateral ties in a deep, practical and efficient manner.

The two countries need to coordinate closer at international organisations, especially at the United Nations, and the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), as well as at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP), and Asia-Pacific Forum (APF), he said.

Hung proposed Switzerland encourage its businesses to invest in Vietnam, primarily in the areas of its strength and Vietnam’s strong demand, such as finance, banking, insurance, high technology, chemicals, and pharmaceutical manufacturing.

For his part, Ruedi Lustenberger concurred with Hung’s proposals and said the Swiss National Council will work closely with the Vietnam National Assembly and relevant agencies to examine and oversee the implementation of their governments’ agreements to bring practical benefits to both sides.

Switzerland will assist Vietnam in technical training and technology transfer, promote education cooperation, and prioritise ODA for Vietnam, Lustenberger assured his guest.

He spoke highly of Vietnam’s recent approval of the Constitutional amendments, noting the promulgation of the new Constitution will help build an efficient State apparatus and promote human rights.

With its experience, the Federal Assembly of Switzerland is willing to help Vietnam realise the new Constitution, he said.

The president also showed his interest in overcoming the consequences of Agent Orange/dioxin in Vietnam, saying cleanup efforts need international assistance to support victims and restore contaminated soil for production.

NA Chairman Hung invited Ruedi Lustenberger to visit Vietnam and attend the 132nd IPU General Assembly in Hanoi n March 2015.

Condolences over former Sierra Leone President’s death

President Truong Tan Sang on March 18 cabled a message of condolences to President Ernest Bai Koroma of the Republic of Sierra Leone over the death of former President Ahmed Tejan Kabbah.

The ex-President passed away on March 13 at the age of 82 after a long illness.-

NA Chairman visits UN office in Geneva

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on March 18 met with acting head of the United Nations Office in Geneva Michael Moller, as part of his visit to Switzerland to attend the 130th Inter- Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly.

The NA leader affirmed that following its achievements in national construction and development, Vietnam will continue maintaining its consistent foreign policy of expanding cooperation with other countries in the world.

After almost three decades of its renewal process, Vietnam has reaped remarkable achievements, including realising almost all the UN’s Millennium Development Goals and well performing policies on poverty reduction and social security, Hung stated.

Vietnam has also actively participated in regional and international forums with a high sense of responsibility. The country will host the 132nd IPU Assembly for the first time in 2015.

At meetings with staff of Vietnam’s permanent m ission to the UN, the Vietnamese Embassy and Vietnamese community in Switzerland on the same day, NA Chairman Hung said his visit to the country aims to deepen the friendship and all-round cooperation between Vietnam’s legislature and the IPU as well as boost the cooperation between the two countries.

He affirmed the Party and State always support and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese citizens living and working abroad in general and those in Switzerland in particular to make further contributions to the homeland.

The NA leader also expressed his hope that the Vietnamese community in Switzerland will mutually assist and enhance unity, thus further boosting the connection between them and the homeland, especially in investment, business, technology transfer and tourism.

Cambodian royal army visits Central Highlands

Vietnam’s Central Highlands region and the northeastern provinces of Cambodia will speed up the process of land border demarcation and marker planting as set forth by the two countries’ leaders.

The consensus was reached at a March 17 working session between Tran Viet Hung, deputy head of the Steering Committee for the Central Highlands region and General Chia Mon, Deputy Commander of the Land Forces and Commander of Military Zone 4 of Cambodia.

The two sides have set to enhance cooperation in economics and education and in spoiling hostile forces’ plots to sabotage the two countries’ solidarity and friendship.

Hung briefed his guests on the region’s socio-economic situation, national defence and security, as well as cooperative achievements between Cambodia’s northwestern provinces and Central Highlands localities.

He also highlighted the two sides’ collaboration in protecting the common borderline in accordance with agreements reached by their high-ranking leaders.

For his part, General Chia Mon thanked the Party, State, volunteer soldiers and people of Vietnam for their support to help Cambodian people escape the Khmer Rouge genocidal regime and rebuild their country.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has urged Da Nang City to become a driving force for development of the central region and the Central Highlands.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has urged Da Nang City to become a driving force for development of the central region and the Central Highlands.

Working with the municipal leaders yesterday (March 18) during a working visit to the city, the Party leader highlighted the important role of Da Nang in the key economic region.

He said it was midway between the cultural heritages of the ancient capital of Hue and Hoi An and My Son Sanctuary in Quang Nam Province.

Trong said the city had great potential in human resources and favourable conditions for developing tourism, services, industry and seaports.

He suggested it become a large hub for socio-economics, finance and banking, culture, education and technology.

He added that sitting at the end of the East-West Economic Corridor, Da Nang needed to exert every effort to turn itself into an industrialised city by 2020.

To make these goals come true, Trong advised the city to focus on creating consensus and high determination in its political system and to streamline procedures.

Together with economic development, Da Nang also needed to treat Party building as a key task, focusing on personnel work.

Trong emphasised the need to prevent moral degradation among Party officials and members, maintain political stability and close contact between the Party and people.

He praised Da Nang's achievements during the past three years, with its average annual GDP growth rate of 10 per cent and per capita income of VND56 million (US$2,660), 1.6 times higher than the national average.

Earlier the same day, Trong visited TCIE Co., Ltd, an auto assembly joint venture between Malaysia and Japan - and the Hoa Tho Veston factory.

Better approach to policies for ex-soldiers: Front leader

President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee (VFFCC) Nguyen Thien Nhan has pledged a more scientific and practical approach to policies targeting ex-servicemen and women, saying that it comes as tribute to them.

In an interview with a Vietnam News Agency reporter on the fringes of a teleconference in Hanoi on March 18 to review such policies for 2014-2015, Nhan acknowledged that this is a tough task but it must be done with a high determination.

The review will focus on seven groups with over 4 million, including heroic Vietnamese mothers, families of war martyrs, and Agent Orange victims, under the watch of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union, the Women’s Union, the Association of the Victims of Agent Orange/dioxin, among others.

About its progress, Nhan said the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MoLISA) and the VFFCC Standing Committee signed an agreement with the Ministry of Information and Communications on December 5, 2013, to raise public awareness of the review.

He noted that following the training conference that involves top labour officials from the 63 cities and provinces nationwide, authorities from the central to local levels will be prepared for the review.

Materials guiding the implementation can be found on MoLISA website.

In April and May, each district will choose a commune to conduct the review on an experimental basis. The MoLISA and local authorities, meanwhile, will be responsible to address any complaint on its results.

Nhan expressed hope that the media will pay attention to the work, working as a channel to receive public feedback and honour outstanding models along the way.

Malaysia appreciates Vietnam’s support in lost jet hunt

Malaysian Minister of Defence and Transport Hishammuddin Hussein thanked the Defence Ministry of Vietnam for positive support in the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines flight MH370 during his telephone talks with Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh on March 18.

Malaysian Airlines flight MH370 with 239 people on board lost radar contact with air controllers early on March 8 on its way from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing.

The Malaysian Minister said the jetliner has yet been located and his country is expanding its search areas to the north and south of the Indian Ocean after halting its operation in the East Sea.

General Phung Quang Thanh told his counterpart that right upon receiving the information on the missing jet, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung directed the Ministries of Defence, Transport as well as authorised agencies to mobilise forces and assets for the search.

He said the Air Force-Air Defence will continue keeping a close eye in the case and promptly inform the Malaysian side any new information.

With a high sense of responsibility, Vietnam has deployed its forces in the largest scale in the search with 11 aircraft and seven ships together with ground forces of Military Regions 5,7 and 9, border guards, coast guards, locals and all fishing boats and ships. The search area was widened to 87,000 square kilometres and later to all the waters managed by Vietnam from the initial 40,000 square kilometres.

The aircraft have made 55 sorties and the boats and ships combed over 100,000 square kilometres of the sea.

Vietnam, US underscore cooperation at sea

Vietnam and the US have collaborated in various fields, especially maritime search, rescue and security, and humanitarian programmes.

Lt. Gen. Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army, made the remark at a March 18 reception for Michael G. Vickers, Under Secretary of Defence, now on a working visit to Vietnam.

Tuan said Vietnam attaches importance to its comprehensive cooperation in numerous fields with the US, including defence and security, and hopes the two sides will team up in new fields in the near future.

For his part, Vickers highly valued the collaboration between the two sides over the recent past, expressing his belief that during the upcoming Vietnam visit of the US Secretary of Defence, the two countries will specify the fields in which they need to work together, such as maritime security and drug crime.

The US official highlighted Vietnam’s positive participation in the hunt for the missing Malaysia Airlines plane, which shows the country’s great contribution to regional solidarity and peace.

Vietnam-Argentina relations develop well

The Argentinean people have always held Vietnam and its people in great esteem, Vice President Amando Boudou told Ambassador Nguyen Dinh Thao in Buenos Aires on March 18.

Argentina will create the best possible conditions for the newly-accredited Vietnamese ambassador to fulfill his tasks, Amando affirmed.

For his part, ambassador Thao highlighted major milestones in bilateral ties since the two countries established diplomatic ties more than 40 years ago.

He recalled the two countries’ high-level visit exchanges, including the recent Vietnam trip by President Cristina Fernandez to Vietnam, to help promote bilateral trade ties.

On the same day, the diplomat paid floral tributes to Argentinean Hero San Martin and late Vietnamese president Ho Chi Minh at their memorials in the capital city.

Vietnam and Argentina have made great strides in bilateral cooperation in recent times, especially in trade.

According to Argentina Customs, two-way trade turnover increased nearly eightfold from 2004 to hit a record high of US$1.596 billion last year.

Argentina is the second largest trade partner of Vietnam in Latin America while Vietnam is one of the largest exporters to Argentina.

The Argentinean Government considers Vietnam as one of the most dynamic emerging economies in the world and a prioritised export market in 2014-2015.

New Zealand Economic Minister visits HCM City

New Zealand’s Minister of Economic Development and Minister of Tertiary Education, Skills and Employment Hon Steven Joyce is now making a visit to Ho Chi Minh City with the aim at further strengthening trade and education ties between the two sides.

Joyce’s visit (March 18-20) is expected to open up more cooperation opportunities in trade, investment and education for both countries.

Vietnam is now New Zealand’s 20th largest trade partner, with two-way trade hitting 785 million USD in 2013. The figure is set to reach 1 billion USD by 2015.

“New Zealand is a logical and committed partner for Vietnam across a range of sectors where New Zealand is known globally for its expertise, including food and beverage, education, aviation, agribusiness and forestry and tourism,” said New Zealand Ambassador to Vietnam Haike Manning.

“In education especially, we see real opportunities to partner with Vietnam in the development and delivery of high quality education to Vietnamese students. Minister Joyce’s visit will provide an opportunity to discuss these partnerships further.”

During his stay in the city, Joyce will meet municipal leaders to discuss cooperation fields that New Zealand is interested in, as well as the important role of the country’s business community in the city in strengthening the two countries’ bilateral relations.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA