Viet Nam highly valued the development of its ties with the Vatican, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung stated during a meeting with Pope Francis I in the Holy City on Saturday.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (second, right) meets Pope Francis in the Vatican on Saturday.

Hung made it clear that the Vietnamese Party and State were steadfast in their diplomatic policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, co-operation and the diversification and multilateralisation of external relations. He said the country considered creeds and religions as a spiritual need of the people that contributed to national unity.

He updated his host of the growing relationship between Viet Nam and the Catholic Church which, he said, was evidenced by annual meetings between Vietnamese leaders, the Pontiff and other Church dignitaries. He also highlighted the positive outcomes of the Viet Nam – Vatican Joint Working Group's annual meetings and the appointment of a Vatican non-permanent envoy to Viet Nam.

Hung expressed his wish for the Pope to further direct the Viet Nam Catholic Church to continue operating under the motto "Living Gospel in the Midst of the Nation" and contribute more to the country.

At a meeting with Vatican Secretary of State Cardinal Pietro Parolin the same day, Hung hailed the latter's role in developing Viet Nam - Vatican ties.

He said Viet Nam would continue to be a friend, a trustworthy partner and a responsible member of the international community.

Viet Nam treasured and stood ready to boost ties with the Holy See on the principle of respect for independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity without interfering in each other's internal affairs, Hung added.

At an earlier reception for General Secretary of the Party of Italian Communists Cesare Procaccini, the Vietnamese leader thanked the Italian communists for their support for Viet Nam during its struggle for liberation and construction.

Procaccini said the Party of Italian Communists hoped to consolidate friendship and co-operation with the Communist Party of Viet Nam, pledging to do his utmost to tighten ties between the two parties, countries and peoples.

The General Secretary voiced his wish to learn about Viet Nam's experience in developing a socialist-oriented market economy.

Later the same day, Hung and his entourage left Rome for Ha Noi, concluding their visit to Italy.    

Cabinet debates medicine price controls

Issues related to medicine price management, said to be a key feature of the upcoming revised Pharmaceuticals Law, became a hot topic during a cabinet session chaired by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on March 21.

According to Health Minister Nguyen Thi Kim Tien, the supervision of medicine pricing remains a complicated matter due to the lack of a body in the ministry responsible for the work.

She proposed that the duty be assigned to the Ministry of Finance.

Meanwhile, Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam said a trans-sectoral mechanism run by a management council chaired by the Ministry of Health is necessary to ensure the interests of patients are met.

Sharing Dam’s opinion, Deputy PMs Vu Van Ninh and Nguyen Xuan Phuc said a national council headed by the Minister of Health should bear the responsibility of medicine price management for citizens.

Concluding the discussion, PM Dung reiterated the importance of state management over pharmaceutical prices, as well as the necessity of an effective management structure with input from all relevant ministries.

He said establishing a national council for medicine price management is crucial. The draft revised Pharmaceuticals Law should promulgate issues of principle, and the Government will provide specific regulations, he said.

During the session, the cabinet members also debated three more bills: the draft revised Law on the Management and Use of State Capital Invested in Production and Business, the Law on Investment, and the Law on Enterprises.

PM Dung sets foot in the Netherlands

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in the Netherlands on March 23 (local time) to attend the third Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) at the invitation of his Dutch counterpart Mark Rutte.

PM Dung will deliver a keynote speech at its opening session on March 24, confirming Vietnam’s consistent policy of using nuclear energy for peaceful purpose, and ensuring nuclear safety and security.

In his speech, he will also review what Vietnam has done within the framework of the past summits to contribute to common efforts by international community.

The two-day summit comes at a time when countries are paying more attention to multilateral mechanism in planning and coordinating efforts against global challenges, including terrorism and proliferation of mass destruction and nuclear weapons.

The Government leader is also scheduled to meet several world leaders bilaterally on the sidelines of the event.

He attended the first NSS in the US in 2010 and the second in the Republic of Korea in 2012.

VN keeping tabs on Ukraine crisis

Viet Nam is closely monitoring the situation in Ukraine and Crimea, the spokesman for the foreign ministry Le Hai Binh said on Friday.

When questioned about Viet Nam's viewpoint on Crimea and Sevastopol joining the Russian Federation, the official remarked that Viet Nam hopes that every issue will be resolved through peaceful measures on the basis of respect for the basic principles of international law and the legitimate desire of the people.

He also expressed the hope that the situation would normalise soon for the sake of peace and stability in the region and the world over.

Viet Nam, Italy to strengthen legislative ties

The agreement to establish a strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Italy created new co-operation opportunities for the parliaments of both countries, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said on Friday.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (left) meets Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies, Marina Sereni in Rome on Friday.

In particular, Viet Nam's National Assembly wished to strengthen bilateral parliamentary co-operation at regional and international forums, he said in talks held with Marina Sereni, Vice President of the Italian Chamber of Deputies.

Sereni responded with praise for the efficiency shown by the Vietnamese parliament, especially in approving the nation's new Constitution.

She concurred with Hung on the need for increased dialogue between the two countries in general and their parliaments in particular towards exchanging ideas and experiences.

The two sides also agreed that they would enhance their consultation mechanisms and forge closer bilateral co-operation at multilateral forums like the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

Hung invited Sereni to make an official visit to Viet Nam and attend the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union that Viet Nam will host in March 2015.

Earlier the same day, in a meeting with Italian President Giorgio Napolitano, Hung expressed the hope that Italy would facilitate the European Parliament's approval of the EU-Viet Nam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA).

He sought similar support for the EU-Viet Nam Free trade agreement (FTA) so that it can be signed this year.

Napolitano said there was great potential to increase co-operation between Viet Nam and Italy, and said this should be done in ways that uses well the respective strengths of both nations.

Chairman Hung also met on Friday, March 21, with Paolo Ferrero, secretary of Italy's Communist Refoundation Party as well as a delegation of the Viet Nam-Italy Parliamentary Friendship Group led by Italian Senator Pier Ferdinando Casini.

President greets Red Cross chief

President Truong Tan Sang received Secretary General of the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) Beleke Geleta in Ha Noi on Friday on the occasion of the latter's working visit to Viet Nam.

The State leader highlighted Viet Nam's humanitarian tradition and said the country always paid great attention to social welfare and poverty reduction, despite its relatively low income.

He also recalled the assistance by International Red Cross societies to Viet Nam in the past, confirming that the Vietnamese Party and State were willing to work with these organisations to carry out charitable activities.

The President suggested the IFRC continue promoting its role in coordinating relief work in Viet Nam and helping the Viet Nam Red Cross with technical support, finance, project management and enhancing necessary skills to cope with natural calamities.

Geleta briefed the host on the federation's latest activities and listed Viet Nam Red Cross initiatives that could be shared with other countries in the region.

The official expressed hope that Viet Nam would give more support to the federation and that the Viet Nam Red Cross would be more involved in the global humanitarian network.

The same day, the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies delegation led by Beleke Geleta also met with Nguyen Hai Duong, chairman of the Viet Nam Red Cross, at a working session in Ha Noi.

Duong said he hoped that the IFRC would continue promoting its role of coordinating humanitarian aid in Viet Nam, as well as providing technical and financial assistance for the country in the fields of climate change adaptation and disaster risk mitigation and prevention.

Pledging to continue support for Vietnamese victims of natural disasters, Geleta said he hoped that the Viet Nam Red Cross would promote the results of cooperative activities with his federation and improve its humanitarian support operations.

The Viet Nam Red Cross presented an insignia for the cause of humanity to the Secretary General in recognition of his contributions to humanitarian activities and the development of the Viet Nam Red Cross.

In the past 24 years, the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies has provided US$100 million for humanitarian projects and programmes in Viet Nam.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Colombia presents credentials

Vietnamese Ambassador to Colombia Ngo Tien Dung recently presented his credentials to Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos.

At the ceremony, President Santos expressed his admiration at the courage and diligence of the Vietnamese people during their struggle for national liberation and construction.

He showed interest in Vietnam’s experience developing its socialist-oriented market economy and overtaking Colombia as one of the world’s leading coffee exporters.

The president confirmed that Colombia considers Vietnam as an important partner in Asia and Southeast Asia, and wants to boost multi-faceted ties with the country.

He pledged to create all possible conditions to help Ambassador Dung fulfil his tasks, thus strengthening the two countries’ relations, particularly in economics and trade.

Dung said he is delighted at the fine development of bilateral relations, and praised the Colombian Government’s establishment of an embassy in Vietnam in January.

The diplomat affirmed that the Vietnamese Government and people appreciate Colombia’s increasing position in the region and the world.

He committed to doing his utmost to further foster bilateral friendship and cooperation, especially in 2014 when the two countries are celebrating the 35 th anniversary of their bilateral diplomatic ties.

Prime Minister Dung urges promotion of youth roles

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has urged the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union (HCMCYU) Central Committee to closely partner with authorities at all levels to ensure that young people are given the chance to thrive in roles of responsibility.

The leader made the request at a March 22 meeting with the committee to mark the union’s 83 rd founding anniversary, which falls on March 26.

PM Dung praised the outstanding performance of a group of young people honoured at the event, expressing his hope that they will exert even greater effort to provide good role models for their peers.

He also highly valued the fruitful cooperation between the government and the committee which, he said, has significantly contributed to the country’s development.

The PM expressed his hope that the two sides will further their collaboration, firstly in youth education and secondly in ensuring the legitimate rights of the youth, especially in study and research.

They were also asked to better coordinate with each other in inspection work, social criticism, job generation and the issuance of policies towards young people.

At the meeting, Nguyen Dac Vinh, First Secretary of the HCMCYU Central Committee, said the body has been assigned many socio-economic development tasks, helping young people play a role in the country’s industrialisation and modernisation.

Over the past years, the government and the HCMCYU have worked with each other to make authorities and youth unions at all levels well aware of their responsibilities in ensuring development and national defence, he said.

Over 20 countries to join Vietnam int'l tourism fair

Travel companies from 22 countries and territories, including Japan, China, Russia and France, have registered to participate in the second Vietnam International Travel Mart slated for April 3-6 in Hanoi.

At a press conference on March 21 held by the Vietnam Tourism Association and the National Administration of Tourism, the organising board said that participants will showcase tourism products and services across 499 stands, including 150 reserved for foreign travel companies.

This year’s event aims to promote tourism, through inbound and outbound tours.

Foreign countries such as the Philippines, the Republic of Korea and Greece will hold press conferences to introduce their tourist destinations.

A number of conferences, seminars and forums on tourism will also be organised during the four-day event.

Norway’s Crown Prince wraps up Vietnam visit

Norwegian Crown Prince Haakon Magnus and Crown Princess Mette Marit left Ho Chi Minh City on March 21, successfully concluding their four-day visit to Vietnam at the invitation of Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan.

While in Vietnam, the Crown Prince held talks with Vice President Doan and met President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, during which the Vietnamese leaders highlighted the visit as an important milestone in the long-standing and multi-faced cooperation between the two countries.

They affirmed that Vietnam will do its utmost along with Norway to push the bilateral extensive cooperation, especially in politics, diplomacy, and economics as well as education, training and culture.

Both sides agreed to maintain delegation exchanges and closely work together at international forums.

The Norwegian side thanked Vietnam for its assistance to Norway in enhancing its bilateral cooperation with ASEAN and stepping up such relations through a joint statement on ASEAN-Norway partnership.

Mongolia keen to improve ties with Vietnam: President

Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj has affirmed that his country is ready to boost cooperation with Vietnam in all fields for the mutual benefit of both peoples.

During a reception for Vietnamese Ambassador Phan Dang Duong, who was presenting his credentials to the Mongolian leader on March 21, President Elbegdorj said there is room for the two nations to cooperate in such areas as agriculture, mining and tourism.

Recalling his memories from his Vietnam visit in November last year, the president said he has been impressed by the achievements of the Vietnamese people over the past years.

He promised to direct authorised Mongolian agencies to support Duong during his ambassadorial tenure.

Duong reiterated Vietnam ’s desire to enhance the friendship and traditional cooperation with Mongolia in politics, economics, culture and education and through coordination at regional and international forums.

He pledged to act as a facilitator to speed up the implementation of outstanding bilateral agreements and cooperative activities, especially in 2014, when Vietnam and Mongolia celebrate the 60 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties.

The two nations signed their first trade agreement in 1958. In December 2012, the two sides officially recognised each other as full market economies.

Despite this, two-way trade remained a modest 16.3 million USD in 2012.

Moscow discussion sheds light on Vietnam-Japan ties

Consolidating Vietnam-Japan relations is an important factor in ensuring security in East Asia, researchers agreed at a roundtable in Moscow on March 22.

Sergey Luzyanin, deputy director of the Institute of Far Eastern Studies under the Russian Academy of Sciences, reviewed major milestones in Vietnam-Japan relations, saying the two countries are establishing an important economic dialogue mechanism in the region.

The recent upgrade of their relations to an extensive strategic partnership level is to ensure a balance of forces and contribute to maintaining peace and security in East Asia, he said.

Other speakers made an in-depth analysis of bilateral relations from different perspectives, taking into account historical factors, geographical position, areas of cooperation, and their diplomatic policies, as well as their impact on the region and the world.

Dr V. Kuzminkov from the Japanese Studies Centre under the Institute of Far Eastern Studies noted the newly established extensive strategic partnership between Vietnam and Japan helps strengthen security and economic cooperation.

Japan is keen to expand cooperation with Vietnam, the researchers said.

Russian researchers highly valued the efficiency of economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Japan in recent times and stressed both countries have huge potential for stronger cooperation in the near future.

They held that fostering Vietnam-Japan ties will fuel economic development in the interest of the two nations, the region and the world at large, including Russia.

The round discussion attracted nearly 20 researchers from the Russian Academy of Sciences, the Moscow State University, and the Moscow-based Diplomatic Academy of Russia.

President encourages Russian investment in Vietnam

Vietnam always creates the best possible conditions to entice the Russian Energy Group, Rosneft, to invest in the country.

The statement was made by President Truong Tan Sang at a March 22 reception in Hanoi for Rosneft Chief Executive Officer Igor Sechin, who is also Executive Secretary of the Commission on Strategic Development of the Fuel and Energy Sector.

Sang spoke highly of the two countries’ effective cooperation, especially in oil and gas, singling out the cooperation between Rosneft and the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group (PetroVietnam) as a model of success.

For his part, Sechin said that with the strong development of Vietnam’s energy in recent times, Rosneft is committed to investing in more energy projects in Vietnam and hoped PetroVietnam will support its activities in the country.

At another reception for the Rosneft executive, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung voiced his support for stronger cooperation between Vietnam and Russia, especially in oil and gas – a key pillar in bilateral relations.

He pledged to facilitate the Russian company’s operation in Vietnam, as well as cooperation between PetroVietnam and Rosneft in oil and gas exploitation and exploration, as well as crude oil supplies in Vietnam.

Rosneft is Russia’s largest energy group and one of the world’s leading energy companies.

It specializes in oil and gas exploration and exploitation, and oil and oil refinery production and consumption. Its reserve is estimated at around 22.8 billion barrels of oil.

Vietnam, Haiti strengthen cooperative ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will begin an official visit to Haiti on March 28 to foster cooperative ties between the two countries.

Vietnam and Haiti established diplomatic ties in September 1997. Haiti opened its embassy in Hanoi in December 2013 and appointed a resident Charge d’Affaires to Vietnam. Currently, the Vietnamese ambassador to Cuba concurrently takes charge of Haiti affairs.

Bilateral relations have progressed through their close coordination at international organisations and multilateral forums. The progress culminated in the Haitian Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe paying an official visit to Vietnam in December 2013, bringing relations to new heights.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and  his Haitian counterpart Laurent Lamothe signed joint  declaration during Lamothe's visit to Vietnam in December 2013

During the visit, the two PMs discussed measures to bolster multifaceted cooperation in a host of areas, including trade, telecommunications, agriculture, construction, science-technology, education, health care, food security and poverty reduction.

The two sides agreed to proactively facilitate business investment expansion, acknowledging the efficient model of NATCOM – a telecom joint venture between the military-run telecom group of Vietnam (Viettel) and the Haitian Ministry of Economics and Finance.

Following the visit, bilateral economic, trade and investment relations have been developing strongly, with two-way trade hitting US$42 million last year.

Vietnam imports garment accessories, paper pulp, iron scraps, and animal food, and it exports rice, garments, wood and timber products, chemicals, plastic products and others to Haiti.

The two countries have signed a number of important cooperation agreements, such as a framework agreement on trade and investment in July 2013, a memorandum of understanding on rice trading in December 2012, and a cooperation agreement between the two agricultural ministries in December 2012.

They have now set their sights on establishing a joint committee on economic, trade and investment cooperation.

Vietnam to strengthen ties with Cuba

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will begin a two-day visit to Cuba on March 26 to reinforce long-standing ties and improve the efficiency of economic-trade cooperation between the two countries.

The visit is made at the invitation of Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State and Ministers.

Vietnam-Cuba relations have developed in a deep, practical and efficient manner since the two countries established diplomatic ties in December 1960.

Their senior leaders have maintained regular exchange visits, laying a firm foundation for increasing bilateral cooperation in various areas.

Both countries organised many activities marking 50 years of diplomatic ties in 2010, 40 years of Cuban President Fidel Castro’s landmark visit to Vietnam’s liberated zone in the south in 2013, and 50 years of the Cuban Committee of Solidarity with South Vietnam in the same year.

The Vietnam-Cuba inter-governmental committee for cooperation has convened its annual meeting to outline plans of action for comprehensive cooperation.

At their 31st meeting in Hanoi in September 2013, the committee worked out a medium-term economic cooperation programme between the two countries.

Vietnam and Cuba have strengthened cooperation in rice production, science-technology, bio-technology, pharmaceutical manufacturing, security and national defence. They have agreed to expand cooperation in other areas such as trade, investment, tourism, construction, and telecommunications.

Italy-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group debuts

The Italy-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group (IVFPG) officially made its debut in Rome on March 21.

Distinguished guests attending the event included National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, IVFPG President Pier Ferdinando Casini, and Italian and Vietnamese parliamentarians.

Speaking at the event, NA Chairman Hung affirmed that the formation of the group represents an important step forward in bilateral ties and to increased parliamentarian cooperation between them.

He said he hopes parliamentarians from the two countries will seek out practical and effective cooperative plans to deepen their friendship and mutual understanding.

For his part, Pier Ferdinando Casini asserted that inter-parliamentary cooperation has contributed to promoting Italy-Vietnam relations, especially in economics.

The IVFPG will do their utmost to consolidate the fine relations and solidarity between the two legislative bodies and two peoples, he said.

He added that the Italy-Vietnam economic ties are continuing to develop positively and that many Italian businesses have been operating effectively in Vietnam.

The Vietnam-Italy Friendship Parliamentarian Group has been established and presided over by Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).

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