Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Belarusian Deputy PM Igor Lyashenko

The Party and State of Vietnam always treasure and preserve fine and close relations with Belarus, said Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc.

While receiving Belarusian Deputy PM Igor Lyashenko in Hanoi on September 25, PM Phuc appreciated Belarusian leaders and people’s sentiments to Vietnam, especially their assistance to natural disaster-affected residents in the central region. He also spoke highly of the close coordination between the two nations at international organisations and forums, particularly at the United Nations.

For his part, Lyashenko said trade relations between Vietnam and Belarus should be switch to the form of establishing industrial manufacturing joint ventures to serve both sides’ needs.

Hence, he proposed the two sides establish a joint venture to produce automobile tyres in Belarus using Vietnam’s rubber materials for exports to member countries of the Eurasian Economic Union and a joint venture to produce potassium fertiliser in Vietnam.

Lyashenko informed his host that Belarus and Vietnam will inaugurate a truck manufacturing factory in the northern province of Hung Yen on September 26. Belarus will also deploy a joint venture project to manufacture buses to serve Vietnam’s demand, especially Hanoi’s, he added.

The Belarusian Deputy PM expressed his belief that with efforts from both sides, bilateral trade turnover will reach the target of 500 million USD this year.

While hailing the results of the earlier talks between Deputy PM Igor Lyashenko and his Vietnamese counterpart Vuong Dinh Hue, PM Phuc believed the two sides would have successful cooperation programmes.

Vietnam is willing to create favourable conditions for the truck manufacturing joint venture in Hung Yen province to operate effectively with a long-term orientation to reach ASEAN markets, he said.

The Vietnamese Government has paid due attention to the automobile manufacturing sector, PM Phuc said, noting that the cooperation between the two countries in this field has many bright prospects.

He hoped that the joint venture would increase the localisation rate to 50 percent and suggested Belarus soon establish a joint venture with Vietnam to produce automobile tyres and step up bilateral cooperation in ore processing./.

Vietnam joins global action to protect children’s rights

Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN, speaks at the celebration for global actions on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child.

Vietnam, together with 40 countries worldwide, has aligned itself to the voluntary global pledge “For every child, every right” to ensure no one is left behind, and to support every child to reach their full potential, said Ambassador Dang Dinh Quy, head of Vietnam’s permanent mission to the UN on September 25.

Attending the UN General Assembly’s celebration for global actions on the 30th anniversary of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, Quy stressed the significance of the event, saying it offered an opportunity for all nations to enhance efforts to protect the rights of children.

Although positive results have been achieved in the past two decades, more efforts are needed to handle challenges like conflicts, climate change, pollution, poverty, natural disasters and diseases to bring a bright future to children, he stressed.

The Vietnamese diplomat also noted the essential role of education for each child, and said Vietnam has made concerted efforts to ensure children have the chance to study, even during wartime.

To that end, the Vietnamese Government supports the UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF)’s safe school environment programme, aiming to raise a voice to single out children’s education rights in all cases, he added.

Highlighting achievements in the work to protect children’s rights in the past 30 years, President of the 74th session of the UN General Assembly Tijjani Muhammad-Bande said that under-five mortality has fallen more than 50 percent and the number of malnourished children has declined by nearly half since 1990.

Muhammad-Bande said he would prioritise improving education quality for children in his term.

Meanwhile, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres spoke highly of global actions to realise the convention. As there are millions of children suffering from climate change, poverty, diseases and violence, he called on countries worldwide to reaffirm the implementation of the convention, and work to ensure all children live in a safe environment, live healthily, and can achieve their dreams.

UNICEF Executive Director Henrietta Fore urged countries to honour their commitments, stressing the world needs to listen to children, support and take actions for them./.

Vietnam expects stronger parliamentary ties with Italy: official

NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien (second, left) and Vice President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa (second, right) at the talks in Rome on September 25

The Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) is delighted at the growth of Vietnam-Italy relations and hopes for stronger ties with the Italian parliament, NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien said during his talks with Vice President of the Italian Senate Ignazio La Russa in Rome on September 25.

Hien said the working visit by the Vietnamese NA delegation aims to enhance the Vietnam-Italy strategic partnership and cooperation between their parliaments.

According to him, the two economies have similarities and are complementary, advantages for economic partnerships. Many Italian businesses have invested in the Southeast Asian nation, mainly in manufacturing.

The Vice Chairman welcomed Italy’s provision of 100 million EUR (109.6 million USD) in official development assistance (ODA) for climate change response and water resource management projects in Vietnam.

He also called on Italy to soon ratify the Free Trade Agreement and the Investment Protection Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union.

At the talks, Hien asked the two parliaments to continue supporting each other at multilateral forums and increase mutual visits by parliamentary leaders, agencies and friendship groups.

He also voiced his hope that Italy will continue supporting the peaceful settlement of disputes to ensure stability, security, safety and freedom of navigation and aviation in the East Sea in line with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct (DOC) of Parties in the East Sea, and supporting efforts to finalise a Code of Conduct (COC) in the waters.

For his part, Russa appreciated Vietnam’s cooperation and attention to relations with Italy.

Italy wishes to strengthen the two countries’ friendship and cooperation in politics, economy and culture, he said, adding that they should also increase defence collaboration.

Vietnam and Italy have gained good cooperation outcomes in industrial production, railway construction, culture and education, while bilateral connections in education are promising, the host official said.

At the Italian Senate, NA Vice Chairman Hien met with head of the finance committee Alberto Bagnai, head of the public works committee Mauro Coltorti, and head of the agriculture committee Gianpaolo Vallardi.

The two sides discussed many issues of common concern like environmental protection taxes on oil and petrol; climate change response; the investment, management and operation of public works; and cooperation in science – technology, education and agriculture.

Also on September 25, the Vietnamese NA delegation received the Italy – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group, visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met with representatives of the Vietnamese community in Italy./.

Vietnam, Belarus seek ways to forge economic, trade, investment ties

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue (right) and his Belarusian counterpart Igor Lyashenko

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue and his Belarusian counterpart Igor Lyashenko on September 25 reached consensus on concrete measures to advance economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Belarus, making it match potential of each side.

During their talks in Hanoi, they agreed that the two countries will join hands to effectively implement the free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Eurasian Economic Union, and the Vietnam-Belarus protocol on supporting the production of motor vehicles in Vietnam.

The move aims to create breakthroughs in the bilateral economic and trade ties, thus raising the two-way trade to 500 million USD in the years to come.

At the same time, the two sides will expand collaboration in agriculture, they consented.

They rejoiced at the inauguration of the first Vietnam-Belarus joint auto venture, slated for September 26 in Vietnam’s northern province of Hung Yen.

The two sides concurred to continue their close coordination in realising the Vietnam-Belarus programme on cooperation in science, education and culture, as well as the bilateral defence and security ties, while facilitating collaboration between localities.

The Deputy PMs lauded efforts made by the two sides to facilitate the exit and entry of their citizens, and promote tourism cooperation.

Hue said Vietnam always attaches importance to consolidating and developing the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Belarus.

The official noted his hope that Belarus leaders and authorities at all levels will create more favourable conditions for Vietnamese to live and work in the host society.

Lyashenko, for his part, said Belarus considers Vietnam one of its top diplomatic priorities in Southeast Asia and Asia at large.

Both affirmed their resolve to consolidate and develop the relationship and soon elevate it to a new high.

They agreed to maintain all-level delegation exchanges in order to enhance the political trust and step up cooperation via the channels of the States, National Assemblies, ministries, agencies and localities.

They will also intensify coordination at multilateral forums like the United Nations and the Non-Aligned Movement, contributing to protecting interests of each nation, for global peace, stability and prosperity.

Regarding international and regional issues of shared concern, Lyashenko affirmed his support for Vietnam’s stance on settling territorial disputes, including those in the East Sea, by peaceful measures, not using force or threatening to use force, with the engagement of all concerned parties.

Following the talks, the officials witnessed the signing of a programme on cultural cooperation between the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Belarusian Ministry of Culture for the 2020-2022 period./.

Hanoi hopes for tightened links with French localities, firms

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Hung (R) presents a gift to Senator Catherine Deroche, head of the France – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group of the French Senate, at the meeting on September 25 (Photo: hanoimoi.com.vn)

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen The Hung received visiting Senator Catherine Deroche, head of the France – Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group of the French Senate, on September 25.

Deroche spoke highly of Hanoi’s dynamic development along with its relations with French localities.

She said she hopes that the two sides will build on the achievements of this cooperation.

Meanwhile, Hung noted with satisfaction that partnerships between Hanoi and French localities have been expanding to various fields, including education, health care and trade.

The Vietnamese capital hopes to receive help from French localities and businesses in infrastructure building and smart city management, he added.

The host official also asked Deroche to help Hanoi and French localities tighten friendship and carry out cooperation activities.

The French senator was on a working visit to Vietnam from September 20 to 26./.