Vietnam-Brazil relationship deepened

Vietnam continually values Brazil’s increasing role in the Asia-Pacific and globally and looks to develop its bilateral cooperation in agro-industry, science and technology, biotechnology, aviation and education.

The remark was made by Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan during a reception for Brazilian Ambassador to Vietnam Marco Antonio held in Hanoi on May 8.

Bilateral relations between Vietnam and Brazil have deepened; and Brazil currently is the largest trade partner of Vietnam in the South American region, she added.

The Vice President also spoke highly of the diplomat’s contributions to strengthening the Vietnam-Brazil partnership and expressed her hope that the ambassador would continue fostering mutual trust and understanding between the two sides.

For his part, Marco Antonio said Vietnam is one of the most important partners of Brazil in Asia.

He also pledged to do his utmost to strengthen multifaceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in education and training.

The ambassador expressed his hope that the Vice President would share Vietnam’s ongoing efforts to improve gender equality and women’s rights at the Global Summit of Women to be held in Brazil on May 11.

In 2014, bilateral trade revenue between Brazil and Vietnam reached 3.17 billion USD, representing an annual increase of 36 percent and exceeding the 3 billion USD mark for the first time.-

Great Patriotic War Victory marked in Hanoi

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh attended a ceremony marking the 70th anniversary of the Victory in the Great Patriotic War hosted by embassies of Russia, Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus and Kazakhstan in Vietnam on May 6.

Addressing the event, the Deputy PM said the victory, in which the former Soviet Union played a decisive role, was a significant milestone for humankind.

He stated that the entire global community is responsible for treasuring the value and preventing similar war disasters from harming future generations.

He affirmed that the victory encouraged Vietnam to successfully reclaim its independence through the August revolution in 1945, opening up a new page in the country’s history.

The Vietnamese people always bear in mind the whole-hearted help of the former Soviet Union during the struggle for national independence, he said, noting that the international spirit and comprehensive support given by the former Soviet Union played an important role in Vietnam’s victory in spring of 1975 that led to the liberation of the south and national reunification.

The Deputy PM said fostering ties with Azerbaijan, Armenia, Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia is a top priority in Vietnam’s foreign policy. He also expressed his belief that the relations would continue to flourish, contributing to the prosperity of each country and to peace, stability and progress in the region and the world.

Meanwhile, Russian Ambassador to Vietnam Vnukov Konstantin Vasilievich said the Victory in the Great Patriotic War was a symbol of heroism, resilience and bravery as well as great human spirit and the triumph of justice.

Over 55 million people were killed in the war involving 70 European, Asia-Pacific and North African countries, including 27 million from the former Soviet Union, he noted.

The result of the World War II was recognised in the United Nations’ Charter and other international documents, he stated, adding that it is essential to prevent the tragedy from ever being repeated.-

El Salvador to bolster friendship with Vietnam: FMLN chief

General Secretary of El Salvador’s Farabundo Marti National Liberation Front (FMLN) Medardo Gonzalez expressed his interest in enhancing the friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between the people of El Salvador and Vietnam through delegation and people-to-people exchanges.

The FMLN leader, who is on a working visit to Vietnam from May 6-12, was received by Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Tong Thi Phong in Hanoi on May 7.

He congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic development achievements, saying that his visit aims to intensify the friendship and solidarity between the two peoples.

NA Vice Chairwoman Phong said she is delighted at the achievements gained by the FMLN over the past time, especially its historic triumph at the 2014 Presidential elections. She hoped the party will reap more fruits for peace, national independence, democracy, progress and social equality.

She also expressed her wish that the relationship between the two parties will be continuously enhanced, contributing to the two countries’ relations.

The legislative official also thanked the Central American nation for its solidarity and support to Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation and reunification and its nation-building and safeguarding cause, affirming that the Vietnamese NA will continue cooperating with the Salvadoran Parliarment in the bilateral ties and at multi-lateral parliamentary forums.

The same day, the FMLN leader was also received by Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations Don Tuan Phong.

Workshop highlights media role in reporting NA activities

Nearly 80 domestic journalists and foreign experts discussed the media’s role in reporting the National Assembly’s activities during a workshop held in Hanoi on May 7.

The event was held by the National Assembly (NA) Office and the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

Delegates shared parliamentary information on countries around the world and solutions to bring National Assembly activities closer to the society.

They also discussed professional etiquette and methods to address issues efficiently.

Vice Chairman of the NA Office Nguyen Si Dung said the workshop creates a platform for participants to exchange professional skills in analysing and reporting NA activities.

Domestic and international experts also shared experience in selecting topics.

Crowds commemorate General Vo Nguyen Giap

Over 10,000 people across the country paid tribute to General Vo Nguyen Giap at his grave in central Quang Binh province’s Quang Trach district on the 61 st anniversary of the Dien Bien Phu historic victory, widely considered one of his greatest triumphs.

General Giap was the Commander-in-Chief of the Dien Bien Phu Campaign that helped end Vietnam’s nine-year resistance war against French colonialists 61 years ago.

He was born in 1911 in Loc Thuy commune, Le Thuy district, and central Quang Binh province. He passed away in Hanoi on October 4 last year at the age of 103.

As an eminent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and the first General and Commander-in-Chief of the Vietnam People’s Army, he led his people to victory over both French and American armies.

With over 80 years serving the nation, he was loved and respected by Vietnamese people and international friends and is a hero to generations of officers and soldiers nationwide.

Vietnamese Embassy holds banquet for Cuban friends

The Vietnamese Embassy in Cuba recently held a banquet for Cubans who stood alongside the Vietnamese people in the cause of national defence and construction.

The event came on the occasion of celebrating 40 years of liberation of South Vietnam and the 125th birthday anniversary of late President Ho Chi Minh.

Among the nearly 200 guests attending the event are politburo member and Vice Chairman of the Cuba Council of State Salvador Valdes Mesa and leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Home Affairs, Ministry of Defence, and Commission of External Affairs under the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee.

Speaking at the function, Vietnamese Ambassador Duong Minh highlighted Cuba’s support to Vietnam since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 1960.

During Vietnam’s revolution, Cuban engineers and workers travelled to Vietnam to build important projects such as the Thang Loi hotel, Dong Hoi hospital and Ho Chi Minh road.

Cuban ships braved US bombing to anchor at Hai Phong port, bringing relief goods to the Vietnamese people. Cuban leader Fidel Castro was the first and only foreign head of State to visit a liberated area in the central province of Quang Tri at the fiercest moments of the war.

The Vietnamese diplomat affirmed the two Parties and States are nurturing their bilateral friendship and solidarity.

He said the Vietnamese Party, State and people support and stand with Cuba in its economic development and building of socialist regime.

In an interview granted to a Vietnam News Agency correspondent, former Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Jesus Aise Sotolongo expressed his admiration for President Ho Chi Minh and General Vo Nguyen Giap, describing the April 30 victory as a significant historical event for Vietnam and the world.

Russian leaders congratulate Vietnam on reunification day

Russian President Vladimir Putin sent congratulations to President Truong Tan Sang on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of southern liberation and national reunification (April 30).

In his message, he wrote that the Russian people remember and admire the impressive feats of Vietnamese people who dedicated their lives to the cause of freedom and independence.

He also expressed Russia’s pride for its solidarity with Vietnamese fellows during the difficult years and believed the comprehensive strategic partnership between Russia and Vietnam would go a long way towards peace and security in Asia-the Pacific.

The same day, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev also sent a congratulatory message to his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, saying that the April 30 event is a symbol of courage and perseverance by Vietnamese people in their struggle for independence.

He noted with confidence that major joint projects in economics, industry, energy, humanities and other areas will bolster bilateral ties.

VNA