Vietnam furthers bilateral defence dialogues

Vietnam’s Defence Ministry delegation held a series of bilateral meetings with representatives from the United States Pacific Command (USPACOM) and defence ministries of Spain, New Zealand and Germany to discuss maritime security on May 30.

The meetings took place on the sidelines of the 14th Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore from May 29-31.

Head of the Vietnamese delegation Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh said the bilateral meetings focused on emerging security threats, strategies and the intervention of “big countries” in East Sea issues.

The meetings allowed Vietnam to grasp the general trends while presenting the country’s official viewpoints regarding issues of regional and global concerns, he said.

The deputy defence minister also affirmed that the meetings aimed to boost bilateral cooperation between Vietnam and those countries in such fields as joint strategic research, personnel training, participation in peacekeeping activities of peace and security and other issues of mutual interest.

Shangri La-14: Numerous initiatives proposed to ensure regional security

An array of initiatives have been proposed by many countries to ensure regional security on May 30 - the first working day of the 14 th Shangri La Dialogue in Singapore.

US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter said the US will debut a Southeast Asia maritime security cooperation initiative, adding that the country’s Congress has approved 425 million USD for maritime capacity-building efforts in the region.

Meanwhile, Japanese Defence Minister Gen Nakatani suggested the Shang-ri La Dialogue Initiative to boost regional maritime security.

The initiative will include completing common rules and laws at sea and in the air in the region, increasing joint exercise along with considering measures to prevent submarine-related accidents.

At a fringe meeting, Indonesian Defense Minister Ryamizard Ryacudu urged ASEAN nations and China to conduct joint peace patrols in the East Sea so as to reduce the risk of conflict and said these patrols will send a message that no single country should "build up strength or threaten anyone" in the waters.

Indian Minister of State for Defence Rao Inderjit Singh said even as traditional forms of threat persist, newer threats are emerging. Countering these requires a collaborative effort of all states in Asia, and the case for a strong security architecture for Asia has never been stronger. Such an architecture will require innovative forms of international cooperation among Asian countries and also between Asian and non-Asian countries.

Representatives from many other countries also voiced concern over escalating tensions in the East Sea and agreed that the problem needs to be solved through dialogues.

UK Defence Secretary Michael Fallon called on all parties to refrain from activities that increase tension, stressing that problems should be addressed through dialogues and international law instead of retaliating via words or unilateral acts. He said he expects all parties abide by the existing Declaration on Conduct and encourage nations to make progress on a binding Code of Conduct.

Sharing the same view, New Zealand Defence Minister Gerry Brownlee said all parties need to settle disputes through diplomatic channels and respect international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Hanoi meeting marks Italy’s national day

The Vietnam-Italy Friendship Association organised a meeting in Hanoi on May 30 in celebration of Italy’s National Day (June 2, 1946).

Speaking at the meeting, Chairman of the friendship association Nguyen Van Nam highlighted the development process of Italy over the past 69 years as well as the Italian people’s creativity, passion and dedication to the development of their country.

He also recalled the warm feelings and valuable supports of generations of Italian leaders and people for Vietnam in the past struggle for national independence and the nation-building process today.

For her part, Italian Vice Ambassador to Vietnam Natalia Sangitini affirmed that the Italian Embassy in collaboration with the Vietnam-Italy Friendship Association will implement a series of activities to nourish the friendly and cooperative relationship between the two countries and peoples.

Vietnam and Italy established diplomatic ties in 1973. Italy was the first Western European country to encourage cooperation between Vietnam and Europe; today, the country is one of Vietnam's leading EU trade partners.

Two-way trade between Vietnam and Italy posted at 2.98 billion EUR (3.3 billion USD) in 2014, the highest value among the southeast Asian nations.

New pact expected to raise Vietnam-Laos trade to 2 bln USD

The signing of a new trade agreement between Vietnam and Laos is expected to raise the bilateral trade to 2 billion USD in 2015, heard a working session between Vietnamese State President Truong Tan Sang and Lao Party General Secretary and State President Choummaly Sayasone in Vientiane on May 30.

The two leaders expressed their pleasure at the sound traditional, special friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples across the fields, particularly in the economy, with two-way trade increasing 24.5 percent to 1.4 billion USD last year.

Vietnam is currently one of the biggest investors in Laos with the total investment of 5.22 billion USD. Vietnamese businesses have helped Laos increase labour productivity, State budget, and promote social welfare.

The two sides agreed to implement effectively the high-level agreements reached and build on the outcomes of the 37th session of the Vietnam-Laos inter-governmental committee such as increasing delegation exchanges, improving the efficiency of Vietnamese aid in Laos, and signing a Memorandum of Understanding on Vietnam-Laos transport connectivity.

They consented to speed up the conclusion of an agreement on border trade of goods and services as well as promptly support Vietnamese businesses to implement investment projects in Laos.

The leaders also exchanged regional and international issues of mutual concerns, including the East Sea related ones.

They expressed their satisfaction at sound cooperation between the two countries at regional and international forums, and agreed to strengthen collaboration with other ASEAN members to build successfully the ASEAN Community in late 2015.

President Truong Tan Sang said Vietnam will support Laos as Chair of ASEAN in 2016.

The same day, the Vietnamese State leader visited former State President of Laos Khamtay Siphandone.

He also attended the inaugural ceremony of the first phase of a project restoring the historical site of Wathat-Khu pagoda – which is dedicated to King Saysettha.

He planted a commemorative tree at a monument in Champasac province in commemoration of Vietnamese and Lao fallen soldiers in the cause of national liberation.

The President also made a fact-finding tour of Attapeu province to examine the efficiency of a hi-tech cow breeding project by Hoang Anh Gia Lai group.

NA discusses changes to accounting laws

National Assembly deputies discussed in groups the draft Law on Charges and Fees and changes to the Law on Accounting on May 29.

A majority of the deputies agreed on the need to issue a Law on Charges and Fees to replace the existing Ordinance on Charges and Fees which they said was no longer suitable for the country's economic development.

The law would create a comprehensive legal framework on applying and collecting fees that synchronises with other agencies and reforms. Some deputies said Vietnam faced difficulties in the management and utilisation of unregulated fee collections.

Deputy Tran Van Ban of Binh Dinh province said the Ordinance didn't give enough information on collecting fees, and the new law would help solve problems that arose from the lack of guidance.

Many other laws also include regulations on collecting fees. Deputies said these should be consolidated into one law.

To ensure a fully comprehensive law, the Government needed to continue reviewing and organising widespread regulations on charges and fees.

Concerning the collection, management and utilization of fees, deputies Trieu Thi Nai, Nguyen Ngoc Hai (Ha Giang) and Ho Van Nam (Dong Nai) agreed with the draft law that all fees should go to the State budget.

Concerning the revision of the draft Accounting Law, deputies said that over the last 10 years the Law on Accounting has formed an important legal framework for the country's accounting performance. It has helped the country manage finance sources effectively and standardise accounting performances nationwide.

Deputies said the country's economic development and international integration had exposed shortcomings in the existing legal system that needed to be improved.

They also asked the Government to review the implementation of laws in a comprehensive manner to ensure their longevity and stability.

Ambassador: cooperation potential huge for Vietnam, Mexico

The prospect of cooperation between Vietnam and Mexico in various fields is very bright, according to Vietnam’s ambassador to Mexico Le Linh Lan.

In her interview with the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 40th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties (May 1975-2015), the Ambassador said both Vietnam and Mexico have a dynamic and open economy with a sizable domestic market. The two countries are carrying out economic reforms.

Those factors combining with the upcoming signing of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) will open up great opportunities for Vietnam and Mexico to boost trade and investment, Lan said.

She noted that despite the geographical distance, the two countries share many similarities in terms of historical traditions and culture, which allow them to relate and sympathize.

Vietnam and Mexico established the diplomatic relations on May 19, 1975 and since then the politic-diplomatic relationship between the two countries has developed both bilaterally and on multilateral forums.

The economic-trade cooperation between the two countries has seen strong strides and Mexico is currently Vietnam’s second large trade partner in South America, only behind Brazil. Meanwhile, Vietnam is Mexico’s 12th largest trade partner in the Asia-Pacific region.

The ambassador pointed out that however, the two countries have not tapped their full cooperation potential, partly due to geographical distance, difference in languages and a lack of information on people and business environment in each country.

In order to expand partnership between the two countries, according to the ambassador, Vietnam and Mexico must boost exchanges and contacts at all levels.

She said the two sides need to accelerate the development and completion of bilateral cooperation mechanisms and facilitate connections between enterprises.

Representative agencies from both countries should work harder in their bridging role through supplying information to the other country on their own market’s strength, production capability and exports as well as business practices and consumption habits, she added.