Vietnam hopes US Government quickly back

Vietnam hopes that the US Government’s current shutdown is only temporary and would not affect the two countries’ relations, a Foreign Ministry spokesman has said.

At a regular press conference in Hanoi on October 3, spokesman Luong Thanh Nghi reported that after the shutdown, the two countries have still maintained their cooperative activities and visit exchanges.

The two countries held their sixth annual political-security-defence dialogue in Washington DC on October 1 and their diplomatic representative offices are operating as usual, Nghi told the reporters.

“We wish the US Government will resume and stabilise its operation soon,” Nghi said.

Vietnam calls for peace in regional waters

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh. (Photo: VNA)

Stronger constructive cooperation is needed to turn the waters in the ASEAN region into an area of peace, security, safety and cooperation in the face of traditional and non-traditional challenges.

Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh made the emphasis at the fourth ASEAN Maritime Forum (AMF) and the second Expanded AMF that took place in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia from October 1-3.

Deputy FM Vinh said the move is part of efforts to successfully realise the ASEAN Community by 2015.

He noted regional countries’ stringent compliance of adopted principles and common agreements, such as the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia (TAC), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), as well as the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Sharing the same view with the Vietnamese official, many delegates voiced that maritime cooperation within the grouping and with its partners is crucial to building trust and a peaceful and stable environment, making it easier for regional economic development and trade activities.

According to them, constructive dialogues should go on to safeguard peace, navigation safety and freedom and peacefully settle disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

They promised to enhance information sharing and coordination and work closely with maritime cooperation agencies of ASEAN.

PM to attend 23rd ASEAN Summit

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and the Vietnamese delegation will attend the 23rd ASEAN Summit and related meetings in Brunei’s capital city of Bandar Seri Begawan from October 8-10.

The visit is made at the invitation of Sultan of Brunei Hassanal Bolkiah, according to a statement released by Vietnam’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs on October 3.

Vietnam-France diplomatic ties celebrated

The 40th anniversary of Vietnam-France diplomatic ties was celebrated at a ceremony in the northern province of Hai Duong on October 3 during which participants heard that cooperation between the two countries’ localities have come a long way over the past time.

Addressing the event, Standing Deputy Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Duong Thai said the relations between Vietnam and France have progressed soundly, supported by mutual trust, equality and mutual benefits.

This was especially marked the establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to France in September, 2013, Thai said.

He also pledged support to the province’s all-sided cooperation with the French prefecture of Seine Saint Denis.

Up to 38 French localities have so far established partnerships with 18 Vietnamese cities and provinces.

In 1999, Hai Duong and Montreuil city, Seine Saint Denis prefecture launched links in education-training, health care, environment, urban planning, economics and tourism, which were then fuelled by the establishment of Hai Duong-Montreuil cooperation centre in Vietnam four years later.

Seine Saint Denish has assisted Hai Duong in building two waste treatment plants and training medical and information technology staff.

To celebrate the anniversary, a string of social and cultural activities will take place in the province in the time ahead.

The Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Li Keqiang will pay an official visit to Vietnam from October 13-15.

The visit is made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Russian magazine hails Vietnam’s international position 

Russia’s “Multi-polar world” magazine has run an article by journalist Pavel Vinogradov reflecting Vietnam’s rising status in the world arena.

The article states that Vietnam now has prestige in the world’s political scene, where it holds increasing influence and is acknowledged as an equal partner.

Vinogradov attributes Vietnam’s present position to its impressive socio-economic achievements which has put it at the forefront of developing countries.

Despite having joined the United Nations 36 years ago following its victory over foreign aggressors, Vietnam has significantly contributed to the consolidation and expansion of the world’s largest international organisation.

Vietnam has shone in its capacity as one of eight pilot countries participating in the UN’s “Delivering as One” initiative, the article said, underlining the country’s positive outcomes in fulfilling the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).

As a trustworthy partner in international integration and the protection of world order, Vietnam successfully assumed its role as a non-permanent member of the UN’s Security Council for the 2008-2009 tenure while effectively partnering with member countries of the Non-Aligned Movement and others to ensure basic principles of the UN Charter.

Vinogradov quoted Russian experts who described cooperation between Vietnam and the UN as a successful model in socio-economic development, culture and humanism.

Vietnam’s experience during its 36-year journey is valuable for many countries, the article said.

The country has fulfilled 90 percent of its assigned MDGs, performing above expectations in many of them such as poverty reduction, education and health care. The country has been praised by the UN for its achievements in poverty reduction, agricultural development and ensuring food security.

The article also cited that the country has won ASEAN’s nomination as the bloc’s candidate to join the UN Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 term, saying if Vietnam successfully assumes the role, the country’s position will be enhanced and its influence will be expanded in the Asian-Pacific region and the world at large.

The article also hailed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s well-received speech at the general debate of the 68th session of the UN General Assembly.

Dung’s address at the event called on leaders of UN member states to strive for a world free from war and poverty.

IUCN independent consultant welcomed in Hanoi

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan on October 3 received the independent consultant of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Peter Hitchcock in Hanoi on October 3.

Nhan said Vietnamese relevant agencies, localities and people are working hard to preserve natural heritages, including Cat Ba island.

The country is home to natural wonders such as Ha Long Bay and Phong Nha Ke-Bang cave, which were recognised as part of the world heritage, Nhan noted while adding that it is seeking world recognition for others, such as Cat Ba island.

Nhan appreciated the IUCN experts’ recent fact-finding tour of Cat Ba which boasts a rich biodiversity as found by many researchers.

Hitchcock evaluated that Cat Ba archipelago possesses stunning landscape and the word’s top-grade bio-diversity.

He said the dossier on Ca Ba archipelago is being appraised by an IUCN’s consult agency and expressed hope that Cat Ba will become a tourist destination and an ideal reserve of international standard in the time to come.

Deputy Defence Minister recieves Thai military delegation

Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh has greatly valued the Thai military attaché delegation’s efforts to boost military ties and cooperation with Vietnam.

At an October 3 reception for the outgoing Thai military attachés in Vietnam, led by Colonel Krieng Anantasan, in Hanoi, Vinh reiterated the Defence Ministry’s willingness to work with new Thai attachés to further deepen the two armies’ relations.

Cooperation between the two armies has progressed over the year and they agreed to maintain collaboration in search and rescue as well as joint patrols.

They have also shared experience in pilot training, flight safety, aviation techniques, management, military medicines and helping people with poverty reduction.

Colonel Krieng Anantasan thanked the Vietnam Defence Ministry for offering favourable conditions for Thai military attachés to fulfil their tasks in Vietnam.

VNN/VNS/VNA