Vietnam, New Zealand strengthen defence ties

The Defence Ministries of Vietnam and New Zealand signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in Hanoi on November 25 to strengthen bilateral ties.

Both sides will increase consultations at bilateral and multilateral forums, including strategic dialogues. They will expand cooperation in English language and skill training for Vietnam’s army units, especially its peacekeeping force.

Vietnamese and New Zealand Defence Ministers signed the MoU in Hanoi on November 25 to enhance bilateral cooperation. (Photo:qdnd)

The MoU was signed by Vietnamese Minister of National Defence Phung Quang Thanh and his NZ counterpart Jonathan Coleman, who is in Hanoi for an official visit from November 24-27.

During their talks, Thanh welcomed Coleman’s visit to Vietnam, which he said will help strengthen the friendship, mutual trust and understanding between the two ministries.

They reviewed defence ties between Vietnam and New Zealand and exchanged views on regional and international issues of mutual concern.

Minister Thanh said Vietnam is ready to cooperate with New Zealand in maritime security and other areas of their strength and need.

He appreciated New Zealand’s contribution to the result of the ASEAN Defence Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and voiced his support for NZ’s efforts in promoting peace, friendship, cooperation and development in the region.

Vietnam, Cambodia inspectorates boost ties

A senior delegation from the Cambodian Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection (MoNASRI) led by Secretary of State Chheng Saroeun is paying a working visit to Vietnam from November 24-28.

At a November 25 reception for the Cambodian delegation, Deputy Inspector General Nguyen Tien Hao highlighted the inspection sector’s effective cooperation which has made practical contributions to strengthening the relationship between the two countries over the years.

Since 2003, the Vietnamese inspection sector and the MoNASRI have exchanges high-level visits with a view to sharing experiences in inspection and settlement of complaints and denunciations.

From 2006-2012, the Vietnamese Government Inspectorate organized many professional training courses for Cambodian inspectors.

During the working session, the Cambodian delegation was briefed on functions, tasks, organizational structure of the Vietnamese Government Inspectorate as well as solutions to improve the efficiency of dealing with complaints and denunciations related to land issues.

Vietnam to host Vesak 2014

Vietnam will host the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak themed "Buddhist Perspective towards Achieving the United Nations Millennium Development Goals"at Bai Dinh Pagoda in Ninh Binh Province from May 7-11 next year.

This is the second time Vietnam will host the UN Day of Vesak. The first Vesak celebration was held in Hanoi in 2008.

According to the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS), the five-day event is expected to attract 10,000 attendees including 1,500 Buddhist dignitaries, monks and nuns from nearly 1,000 countries and territories over the world.

At a November 24 conference on the 2014 United Nations Day of Vesak, Most Venerable Thich Thien Nhon, VBS Vice President said the event will be an important event contributing to the role of Vietnamese Buddhism in international integration,  affirming Vietnam's position and responsibility towards the UN.

The first preliminary session of Vasak 2014 took place on November 23-24 in Hanoi with the participation of more than 70 Vietnamese and foreign delegates from India, Thailand, China, the US, France, the Republic of Korea, Cambodia and Malaysia.

The participants agreed upon important activities in preparation for the 2014 Vesak celebration.

Multilateral diplomacy: a spotlight on foreign policy

Signature successes in multilateral diplomacy have resolved both traditional and non-traditional issues, strengthening Vietnam’s status in the international arena while safeguarding national sovereignty and interests.

So said Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, head of the Vietnamese Diplomatic Mission to the United Nations (UN) and the World Trade Organisation (WTO), during an interview on the occasion of Vietnam ’s full membership to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure.

Thanh noted that alongside bilateral ties, multilateral diplomacy is playing an increasingly important role at a time when Vietnam is proactively joining in the UN’s activities and multilateral forums.

He described 2013 as a year full of challenges and opportunities. The international community hailed Vietnam for its review of trade policies under the WTO for the first time since it joined the body six years ago. It was a reflection of Vietnam’s achievements in perfecting the market economy and contributions to the global trade system, Thanh said.

He claimed that Vietnam views Geneva as one of the top frontlines in realising its foreign policy of actively and proactively integrating into the world economies, especially via regional and inter-regional mechanisms like the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum, the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) and other organisations based in Geneva and New York.

Thanh cited the large number of votes won by Vietnam to claim a seat on the UN Human Rights Council as an evidence of its active contributions to global affairs, especially the protection and promotion of human rights.

President woos long term Japanese money

Viet Nam has created favourable conditions to help Japanese businesses seeking long-term investments in the country, noted President Truong Tan Sang.

Sang made the statement on Friday while receiving Vice President of the International Friendship Exchange Council of Japan (FEC) Nakagaki Yoshihiko, who is heading a delegation of Japanese businesses currently on a working visit to Viet Nam.

Viet Nam had created clear policies, along with flexible management, to meet businesses' demands for a stable and favourable investment environment, he said.

Sang also noted that Viet Nam had worked to improve the quality of its human resources, as well as upgrade its telecommunications infrastructure, as a means of improving the investment environment.

However, Viet Nam needed more help from Japan in such fields as human resources training, technology renovation and agricultural and fisheries processing, Sang said.

He also applauded Japanese businesses' active investment in Viet Nam, but noted that Japanese businesses should promote investment in fields with high competitiveness, such as agricultural machinery production, to improve the efficiency of investments.

For his part, Nakagaki, who doubles as President of the Japan-Viet Nam Cultural and Economic Exchange Committee, expressed his pleasure with the socio-economic progress made by Viet Nam and said he hoped the Vietnamese leaders would alert Japanese investors about the country's economic development.

Additionally, some Japanese businesses proposed that Sang consider creating policies to create more favourable conditions so businesses of the two countries might increase their co-operations.

Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association marks 50th anniversary

Moscow has played host to a November 22 ceremony celebrating the 55th anniversary of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Established on July 31, 1958, the association has carried out a great number of exchanges in various areas, helping promote the Vietnam-Russia friendship and mutual understanding between their peoples.

In his speech, the Association’s Chairman Vladimir Buyanov recalled past decades of landmark association achievements, many of which defied the difficulties and challenges of war.

He highlighted its contributions to the Vietnamese people’s revolutionary success, and thanked generations of Russians for enthusiastically supporting the friendship and cooperation with Vietnam throughout the ages.

Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son echoed the Chairman’s sentiments of praise and gratitude.

On behalf of Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang, he conferred the Friendship Order on Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association Vice President Senior Lieutenant General Pozedev.

Major General Trinh Quoc Khanh, Vice President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association, commended active members of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association, and unveiled plans to erect a statue of Russian astronaut G. Titov, the first President of the Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association.

Certificates of merit were presented to a number of Association members in recognition of outstanding contributions to nurturing bilateral relations.

Artists from both countries entertained attendees with music and dance performances in honour of the Vietnam-Russia relationship.

NA Chairman backs new agreements by Viet Nam, Mongolia

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung told Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj on Friday that Vietnamese legislators are willing to assist the two Governments in implementing their new agreements.

During a meeting in Ha Noi, he said the NA always supported co-operation and shared interests between the two countries.

Welcoming the Mongolian President on his first visit to Viet Nam, the NA Chairman said the visit would create new prospects for bilateral relations.

He praised the outcomes of talks between President Elbegdorj and his Vietnamese counterpart Truong Tan Sang, urging the two countries to fully tap the potential of their relationship, especially in economics, peacekeeping, stability, co-operation and development in the region and throughout the world.

The host lauded Mongolian achievements in their national development and expressed his belief that the Sate and people of Mongolia would reap the fruits of socio-economic development, thus raising people's living standards.

The Vietnamese NA wished to boost co-operation with the Mongolian Parliament, he said, urging the two sides to increase delegation and experience exchanges in law making.

The top legislator suggested the Viet Nam-Mongolia Joint Committee should work closely with each other to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2014 (November 17, 1954).

Sharing Hung's views, Elbegdorj expressed hope for enhanced legislative ties in various areas and exchange between parliamentarians to foster friendship and co-operation between the two countries.

The guest applauded the great achievements made by the Vietnamese people in national construction and development.

Viet Nam and Mongolia boasted a time-honoured relationship, he noted, highlighting the two countries' close co-ordination and mutual support at regional and international forums.

The President expressed his hope Viet Nam would back Mongolia to enhance its links with other ASEAN countries.

During their meeting, Hung asked Elbegdorj to convey his invitation to Mongolian Speaker of Parliament Enkhbold Zandaakhuu to attend the 132nd General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union, due to be held in Viet Nam in April 2015.

Mongolian President ends visit to Viet Nam

Mongolian President Tsakhiagiin Elbegdorj yesterday, Nov 24, successfully concluded his four-day State visit to Viet Nam as both sides pledged to enhance cooperation in defence, security, education and cultural and art exchanges.

Viet Nam and Mongolia will work closely to organise activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties in 2014.

The leader witnessed the signing of four bilateral co-operation agreements in diplomacy, criminal prevention, defence and oil and gas.

He also visited several cultural and economic establishments in Ha Noi, HCM City and the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

Viet Nam and Mongolia signed their first trade agreement in 1958. In December 2012, the two sides officially recognised each other as full market economies. The mechanism of the Viet Nam-Mongolia Inter-Governmental Committee has been maintained, with its 15th meeting taking place in Ha Noi in March this year.

UN agencies in VN unite for efficiency

The Government, donors and United Nations on Friday reconfirmed their commitment for Viet Nam to continue as a leading global example of UN Reform.

The pledge was made at an annual review of United Nations support to Viet Nam.

By ‘Delivering as One' (DaO), the expertise, experience and capacities of 14 resident and two non-resident UN agencies in Viet Nam have been channelled together to provide development assistance in a more coordinated and effective way.

Through greater harm-onisation and alignment with Viet Nam's development priorities, the UN has been able to achieve more coherence, better results and greater impacts for the benefit of all people in Viet Nam, officials said.

Reasons for success

A UN statement said "last year was an important time for reflection and review of UN reforms, in the spirit of Viet Nam's active role in several assessments of its DaO experience during the past five years."

It said the Govern-ment's "strong ownership and determination to drive forward the UN reform process for greater harmonisation and development effectiveness are major factors behind DaO's in-country success."

Late last year, at a global level, Viet Nam's experience informed inter-governmental negotiations in the Quadrennial Comprehensive Policy Review (QCPR) of UN operational activities for development. This lead to UN General Assembly Resolution 67/226 confirming that member states wanted a strong UN development system that was strategically relevant, nimble, and ready and able to help deliver sustainable development.

They recognised DaO as an appropriate approach to move forward at a country level.

In Viet Nam, the six pillars of UN reform offer a new way of operating, guided by six ‘Ones' - One Plan, One Budget, One Leader, One Voice, One Set of Management Practices and One UN House.

DaO is transforming the way the UN operates in Viet Nam's lower middle-income context, the review meeting heard.

"By focusing on the UN's normative role and ability to convene, broker knowledge and pull in a wide range of expertise and resources from across the UN System, it ensures greater value addition to the socio-economic development of Viet Nam," the statement said.

"The Government's strong leadership of DaO is globally recognized," said Pratibha Mehta, the UN Resident Coordinator in Viet Nam.

"The UN has a vital role to play in supporting Viet Nam in its efforts to reduce poverty and accelerate progress to achieving Millennium Development Goals, especially as the 2015 deadline draws closer. By DaO, we are ensuring that the UN is fit for purpose to deliver on this agenda, and able to draw on the diverse strengths of its individual UN Agencies," she said.

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