Viet Nam, Myanmar hold first security dialogue

Viet Nam's Ministry of Public Security and Myanmar's Ministry of Home Affairs agreed to establish a deputy-ministerial security dialogue mechanism.

Deputy Minister of Public Security To Lam and Myanmar Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Kyaw Kyaw Tun reached the agreement during their first security dialogue in Ha Noi yesterday.

Lieutenant General To Lam said Viet Nam was proud to host the dialogue, which represented the result of ministerial talks during a Myanmar visit by Vietnamese Minister of Public Security Tran Dai Quang.

At the annual dialogue, the two sides will discuss methods for maintaining social order and national security as well as non-traditional security challenges such as terrorism.

Major General Kyaw Kyaw Tun spoke highly of the effective co-operation between the two ministries and expressed his belief that the first security dialogue would contribute to deepening the friendly ties between Myanmar and Viet Nam.

The same day, Kyaw Kyaw Tun was received by Minister General Tran Dai Quang.

Viet Nam, Namibia bolster co-operation on many fronts

Viet Nam and Namibia signed agreements to boost diplomacy and agriculture co-operation during Namibian President Hifikepunye Pohamba's State visit from November 18-20.

During their talks in Ha Noi yesterday, Nov 19, President Truong Tan Sang and his Namibian counterpart agreed to continue speeding up joint agricultural projects with tri-party co-operation models by strengthening bilateral connectivity and calling for the engagement of the private sector.

They agreed to bolster exchanges of delegations at all levels, strengthen people-to-people contacts and accelerate the twinning of localities to further mutual understanding.

They agreed to bolster exchanges of delegations at all levels, strengthen people-to-people contacts and accelerate the twinning of localities to further mutual understanding.

Expressing their delight at the positive cooperation outcomes between the two countries over the past years, the two presidents pledged to direct relevant ministries and sectors to develop specific plans to foster co-operation across investment, trade, education and training, healthcare, tourism and aviation transport services.

The Namibian leader officially announced his country's recognition of Viet Nam's full market economy regulations. He also invited President Sang to visit his country at a suitable time, which the Vietnamese leader accepted with pleasure.

Congratulating Namibia on its impressive development achievements, Sang hailed the country's positive contributions to peace, stability and co-operation in the South African Development Community and in the continent as a whole.

He confirmed that Viet Nam wanted to expand ties with African countries, including Namibia, an intimate friend that supported Viet Nam throughout its struggle for national independence as well as its current national construction.

He appreciated that Namibia recognised Viet Nam's market economy regulations, saying that this recognition would contribute to the two countries' traditional relationship of deep trust and support.

The two leaders also discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Viet Nam congratulated Namibia for winning a seat in the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-16 tenure and committed to working closely with the African nation at international and regional forums and the South-South co-operation framework in order to build a more equal and democratic world.

After the talks, the two presidents witnessed the signing of an agreement on visa exemptions for official and diplomatic passport holders and a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on agricultural co-operation.

The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received President Pohamba, who confirmed Namibia would create favourable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to invest in his country, particularly in mineral exploitation, agricultural production and tourism.

Pohamba extended condolences to victims of recent floods in Viet Nam and called on countries, especially developed ones, to fully observe the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change in order to minimise losses caused by natural disasters.

For his part, Dung highlighted Viet Nam's wish to expand co-operation with African countries, including Namibia. He proposed Viet Nam and Namibia boost bilateral co-operation in economics, trade and investment and agricultural production under the tripartite co-operation model.

He assured his guest that Viet Nam would do its utmost to realise co-operation agreements reached during Pohamba's visit, including those on investment, trade, education-training, health care, tourism and aviation co-operation.

Party General Secretary pays State visit to India

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong arrived at Palam Airport in New Delhi yesterday, Nov 19, beginning his four-day State visit to India at the invitation of Prime Minister Manmohan Singh.

Upon arriving, Trong visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met with overseas Vietnamese people in India.

The General Secretary's visit aims to deepen the relationship between Viet Nam and India as well as all-round co-operation.

He is due to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, meet with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President and Chairman of the Senate Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Speaker of the Lower House Meira Kumar and leaders of the Indian National Congress Party, the National People's Party, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

He is scheduled to visit Mumbai city in Maharashtra state and attend the Mumbai business forum.

Viet Nam and India established diplomatic ties in 1972 and elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in 2007.

Party chief visits embassy staff, OVs in India

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has hailed important contributions the Vietnamese Embassy in India has made to foster the Vietnam-India ties over the past years.

At the meeting with the embassy staff and overseas Vietnamese in India on November 19 following his arrival in New Delhi for a State visit, the Party leader also lauded the embassy staff’s good preparations for the visit, which he believes will be successful.

He said he senses warm sentiments towards the homeland of the Vietnamese community in India and hopes they will bridge the friendship between Vietnamese and Indian people.

The Party chief briefed them on the country’s current situation and efforts to weather the global financial crisis impacts, deal with natural disasters, storms and flood, stablise the macro-economy, reining in inflation, and ensure social welfares and rapid, sustainable development.

Vietnam always attaches much importance to developing the established relations, which were initiated by President Ho Chi Minh and Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru and nurtured by generations of leaders and people, and multi-faceted cooperation with India , Trong said.

He said he hopes his visit will further deepen the Vietnam-India strategic partnership for each country’s development, and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Tan said over the past years, the embassy has worked closely with Vietnamese relevant agencies to effectively realise the strategic partnership between Vietnam and India.

He pledged that the embassy staff will spare no effort to well fulfil the tasks assigned by the Party, State and people to elevate the Vietnam-India ties.

During the State visit, Party General Secretary Trong is due to hold talks with Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, meet with President Pranab Mukherjee, Vice President and Chairman of the Senate Mohammad Hamid Ansari, Speaker of the Lower House Meira Kumar, and leaders of the Indian National Congress Party, the National People’s Party, the Communist Party of India and the Communist Party of India (Marxist).

Vietnam and India established their diplomatic ties in 1972 and elevated their relations to a strategic partnership in 2007.

VFF commemorates 83rd founding anniversary

A ceremony to celebrate the 83rd founding anniversary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front – VFF (earlier the Vietnam National United Front – VNUF) was held in Hanoi on November 18.

On November 18, 1930, the Standing Board of the Communist Party of Vietnam’s Central Committee issued a direction on the establishment of the Anti-Imperialist Allied Association, the predecessor of the VNUF, which was organised in many forms with different names.

At the event, VFF Chairman Nguyen Thien Nhan said that the formation, development and contribution of the VNUF have helped strengthen Vietnam ’s national unity. November 18 has become a national great unity day in all residential areas across the country.

The chairman praised the valuable efforts of the staff and members of the VFF’s chapters and organisations at all levels to the front’s action programmes, contributing to fostering great national solidarity.

He also mentioned key tasks assigned to the VFF’s chapters and organisations. In particular, they need to well prepare and successfully organise the VFF’s upcoming congresses, effectively review the implementation of policies for people who rendered services to the country, and carry out the VFF’s supervision and social feedback regulations.

Participants at the ceremony affirmed that the VFF has made a large contribution to the great national unity under the leadership of the Party.-

ASEM meeting proposes disaster relief alliance

An ASEM meeting on disaster prevention and relief in response to climate change came to its last day in Hanoi on November 19, focusing on solutions to boost collaboration between Asia and Europe.

Following two days of discussions, the event has proposed ways to further Asia-Europe cooperation in response to natural disasters, notably the connection of early warning systems of all Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) members in an effort to improve forecasting and evacuation.

Delegates agreed to increase ASEM’s engagement and support in regional mechanisms on reducing natural disasters such as ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance on Disaster Management, as well as in global efforts to build the Hyogo Framework for action on reducing disaster losses after 2015.

Initiated by Vietnam , the meeting asserts the country’s active role in international efforts to deal with non-traditional global challenges.

The Philippines will host the next event in September 2014.-

Condolences to Russia over plane accident

President Truong Tan Sang yesterday conveyed his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the plane accident on Sunday.

Fifty people died after a Boeing 737 crashed while attempting to land at Kazan City in Russia.

President Truong Tan Sang on November 19 extended his congratulations to Emomali Rahmon on his re-election as President of the Republic of Tajikistan.

On the same day, President Sang also sent a message of congratulations to Abdulla Yameen Abdul Gayom, who was elected as President of the Republic of the Maldives.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also conveyed congratulations to Dunya Maumoon on being appointed the Maldives’ Minister of State for Foreign Affairs on the same day.

Major Asian cities issue Hanoi Joint Declaration

The Hanoi Joint Declaration was issued when the Asian Network of Major Cities 21 (ANMC 21) wrapped up their 12th annual plenary meeting in the Vietnamese capital city on November 19, covering stronger cooperation in urban planning, energy issues, trade and tourism promotion, and information sharing.

Addressing the closing ceremony, Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen The Thao said delegates have consented to deploy the project on building a platform for technology and industry, under which they will hold expert-level meetings and economic exchanges as agreed in the 2010 Tokyo Joint Declaration.

A pilot scheme will be rolled out to put short-term measures in place, he added.

Seminars on investment, trade and tourism promotion drew hordes of investors from member nations. They came to seek cooperation opportunities and foster connectivity for the sake of a prosperous Asia.

Thao and Tokyo Governor Naoki Inose later signed a Hanoi – Tokyo cooperation agreement, under which, the Japanese city will assist Hanoi in easing smog and traffic congestion, clean water supplies, training for athletes and students.

Seoul city in the Republic of Korea also promised to help Hanoi with information technology development.

During two policy dialogue sessions, Hanoi acquired expertise in dealing with obstacles in urban planning and energy.

ANMC members reached a compromise on sustaining collaboration in socio-economic development and planning management in particular.

While countries worldwide are working against climate change by developing their economies with low carbon emissions, they agreed to focus on information exchange and training high quality human resources while forging markets of high-efficiency equipment and technology.

The next event of this kind will be held in the Tomsk city, Russia next year.

The ANMC now groups 13 member cities, including Bangkok, New Delhi, Hanoi, Jakarta, Kuala Lumpur, Metropolitan Manila, Seoul, Singapore, Taipei, Tokyo, Tomsk, Ulaanbaatar and Yangon.

Oman celebrates 43rd National Day

The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman held a ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday to celebrate the 43rd anniversary of its National Day.

Speaking at the ceremony, Ambassador Sheikh Sultan Saif Hilal Al-Mahruqi said that relations between Viet Nam and Oman had witnessed significant development in various fields and the two countries had made strenuous efforts to raise the level of their relationship.

He called on private companies in both countries to seek investment opportunities and contribute to bilateral ties.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Nguyen Phuong Nga said Viet Nam admired the accomplishments that the people of Oman had recorded under the wise leadership of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al-Said during the last four decades.

She said she believed the country, based on the successful strategy of economic diversification and human resource development, would continue to reach greater and increasingly sustainable achievements.

HCM City boosts cooperation with Lao localities

Ho Chi Minh City wants to increase cooperation with Lao localities to strengthen traditional friendship and solidarity between the two sides.

Vice Secretary of the Municipal Party Committee Nguyen Thi Thu Ha was speaking while receiving Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun, director of the  Lao National Academy of Politics and Public Administration, at a reception on November 19.

Ha briefed her guest on the city’s socio-economic development and congratulated the Lao people on the achievements they have made in recent times.

Khaykhamphithoun said that he is impressed by HCM City’s strong development and that his visit aims to exchange management, leadership, and scientific research experience with the Vietnamese side.

He spoke highly of the special relationship between Vietnam and Laos and noted the two countries have always supported each other in personnel training.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA