Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich

 

Vietnamese Minister of National Defence General Ngo Xuan Lich is leading a high-ranking military delegation to visit the European Union (EU) from October 14-19.

The visit is made at the invitation of Vice President of the European Commission and High Representative of the European Union for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Federica Mogherini.

The two sides will ink a Framework Participation Agreement (FPA) to establish Vietnam’s engagement in the EU’s crisis management activities.

The Vietnamese delegation’s visit and the signing of the FPA aim to boost defence relations with the EU, which is in line with the spirit of the EU-Vietnam Partnership and Cooperation Agreement.

The move also shows Vietnam’s responsibility in promoting joint efforts to bring peace to the region and the world./.

Vietnam attends int’l law development conference in Indonesia

 

Vietnam's DK1 rig in its southern continental shelf.

 

Vietnam is joining 22 countries and territories at a conference on international law development in Asia held in Indonesia from October 14 to 18.

Nguyen Ba Cuong from the Vietnam Institute of Seas and Islands emphasised the role of international law to peace, security and stability.

In the East Sea and other seas around the world, international law, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), has created a legal order that promotes trade and use of sea areas in a peaceful, fair and effective manner as well as activities to preserve biological resources, study and protect marine environment, Cuong said.

While highlighting Vietnam’s contributions to the development of international law in the East Sea, Cuong said like other UNCLOS member countries, Vietnam has been applying the constitution for the oceans.

He added that international law, including the UNCLOS, is a tool for Vietnam to define and clarify its maritime rights and obligations as well as provide mechanisms to settle maritime disputes with other neighbouring countries and manage effectively these disputes.

The researcher described the UNCLOS as a solid international legal basis for the definition and protection of Vietnam’s sea areas and continental shelf along with the country’s legitimate rights and interests at sea.

The conference was co-organised by the Development of International Law in Asia (DILA), Korea Maritime Institute, and University of Indonesia with the participation of more than 100 law researchers and experts./.

Vietnam treasures traditional friendship with Cambodia: PM

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An

 

Vietnam wants to promote its traditional friendship with Cambodia in the spirit of mutual cooperation and prosperity, Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said on October 16.

Hosting a reception for Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An in Hanoi, PM Phuc believed that bilateral relations will be driven forward, especially after the official visit to Vietnam by Prime Minister Hun Sen earlier this month.

Both sides inked ten cooperation documents during Hun Sen’s stay, two of which recognised the completion of 84 percent of land demarcation and marker planting, he added, describing this as a vivid illustration of their efforts, goodwill, neighbourliness and mutual trust and understanding.

The Vietnamese Government leader expressed his hope that Men Sam An, in her important roles, will continue persuading Cambodian organisations and individuals to support the two legislatures’ early ratification of the two documents.

He also hoped the Cambodian Government will continue to support Vietnamese nationals so that they can have a stable life and make positive contributions to the host nation.

Lauding the close cooperation between the Government Inspectorate of Vietnam (GIV) and the Cambodian Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection, PM Phuc affirmed the Vietnamese Government always creates favourable conditions for the two inspection bodies to enhance coordination.

He asked the GIV to do its utmost to back the Cambodian inspectorate in human resources training and experience sharing in the field.

Men Sam An, for her part, spoke highly of the signing of the cooperation deals between the two governments, while expressing her delight at he robust socio-economic development in Vietnam.

She reiterated Cambodia’s determination to preserve the traditional friendship with Vietnam, and took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, Government and people for helping Cambodia overthrow the Khmer Rouge regime.

She said the two inspection bodies have enjoyed sound relations over the past time, adding they have exchanged inspection experience while the GIV has provided training for Cambodian inspectors.

Cambodia wants to boost collaboration between the two inspection organisations, and will make concerted efforts to implement agreements signed between the two governments as well as enhance delegation exchanges to promote the traditional friendship, she stressed./.

Vietnam, Cambodia share experience in inspection

 

At the talks between Inspector General Le Minh Khai of the Government Inspectorate and Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An (Photo: VNA)

 

Inspector General Le Minh Khai of the Government Inspectorate held talks with Cambodia’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection Men Sam An in Hanoi on October 15.

At the talks, the two sides briefed each other on the outstanding results of inspection work, the settlement of complaints and denunciations, and the prevention and fight against corruption in their respective countries in first nine months of this year.

They also shared the working directions and tasks in the remaining months of the year.

Vietnam’s Government Inspectorate and the Cambodian Ministry of National Assembly-Senate Relations and Inspection set up cooperative ties in 2003, and since then have regularly exchanged delegations and shared working experience.

The two sides signed cooperation agreements in inspection work and the settlement of complaints and denunciations in 2005, 2012 and 2016, with a focus on inspectors’ training. From 2006 to 2018, the Vietnamese side held 9 basic training courses for 231 Cambodian inspectors and 5 advanced training courses for 28 Cambodian officials.

Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An said the talks produced useful outcomes, helping enhance the effectiveness of bilateral cooperation programmes.

She said the partnership between the inspection agencies has contributed to the friendship and cooperation between the two countries./.

Vietnam calls for more investments from UAE

 

Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung and UAE Minister of Economy Sheikh Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri

 

The Vietnamese Government stands ready to create all possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung told UAE Minister of Economy Sheikh Sultan Bin Saeed Al Mansouri in Hanoi on October 15.

The Vietnamese official rejoiced at the rapid development and outcomes of the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and the UAE, especially the bilateral economic, trade and investment ties.

Dung expressed his hope that more businesses from the UAE will invest in projects in Vietnam in such areas as energy infrastructure, logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy, energy saving, support industries, material production, farm produce processing, food, labour, finance, tourism, culture, sports, construction and aviation transportation.

He called on the UAE to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese living and working in the country.

The host highly valued the role and operation of the Vietnam-UAE Inter-governmental Committee, especially results of the committee’s fourth meeting in Abu Dhabi last April, under the chair of Minister Bin Saeed Al Mansouri and Vietnamese Minister of Industry and Trade Tran Tuan Anh.

Vietnam wishes to enhance the sharing of information about policies, regulations and investment opportunities in each country with the UAE, while increasing trade promotion activities in respective markets, Dung said.

For his part, Minister Bin Saeed Al Mansouri said the UAE considers Vietnam the most important strategic partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

There remain great investment opportunities in Vietnam, he said, adding that the UAE has invested in logistics, seaports and real estate in the country and will explore investment opportunities in other spheres like digital and knowledge-based economy.

Alongside cooperation potential in tourism, food processing is also an area in which the UAE is interested and wishes to cooperate with Vietnam, the minister said.

He affirmed that the UAE is willing to share experience and promote cooperation concerning strategies to reform and diversify the economy, and develop the digital and knowledge-based economy./.

Party official: Vietnam will do its best to foster ties with Cuba

 

Permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong (R) and head of the PCC’s Thought Commission Victor Gaute Lopez

 

Vietnam will do its best to foster traditional friendship, comprehensive cooperation and solidarity with the Party, State and people of Cuba, said Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Tran Quoc Vuong.

During a reception in Hanoi on October 15 for Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (PCC) Central Committee and head of the PCC’s Thought Commission Victor Gaute Lopez, Vuong expressed his belief that the visit will further deepen special friendship between the two Parties and countries.

He said under the sound leadership of the PCC, the fraternal Cuban people will continue reaping successes in the process of building socialism with prosperity and stability.

Vuong affirmed the Vietnamese Party, State and people’s consistent stance on supporting Cuba’s revolutionary cause, the struggle to immediately and unconditionally end the economic, trade and financial embargo against Cuba.

Victor Gaute Lopez briefed the host about situation in Cuba and difficulties caused by the embargo, affirming that the Party, State and people of Cuba will overcome challenges and defeat plots by hostile forces, thus carrying the country forward.

He affirmed that the Party, State and people of Cuba attach importance to special relationship with Vietnam, and stay determined to further deepen comprehensive cooperation between both sides.

Earlier, Politburo member and head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education Vo Van Thuong held talks with the Cuban official, during which both sides extensively discussed political thought work and agreed to hold celebrations for the 60th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year.

Victor Gaute Lopez also held a working session with head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan and reviewed the implementation of signed cooperation agreement between the two Parties for the 2018 – 2023 period.

During their stay, the Cuban delegation had working sessions with the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics, Nhan dan (People) newspaper, Vietnam News Agency, Vietnam Television, Radio The Voice of Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh municipal Party Committee./.

PM urges Hai Phong to take lead in agriculture modernisation

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc visits a pavilion showcasing Hai Phong's agricultural products

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc said he expects the northern port city of Hai Phong will take the lead in developing a modern agricultural industry while addressing a conference on October 15 to review the implementation of the national programme on new-style rural building areas in the city in 2010-2020.

He congratulated Hai Phong on its achievements in the field, contributing significantly to the achievement in rural development across the country.

The PM said building new-style rural areas is a strategic and long-term revolution, demonstrating the due attention of the Party and State to agriculture, farmers and rural areas.

The programme also creates a firm foundation for the country’s modernisation and industrialisation, which needs the active involvement of the whole society, he said.

The PM asked Hai Phong to exert more efforts as no district in the city has been recognised as new-style rural area, while 40 districts nationwide have gained this status.

He suggested Hai Phong address small-scale agricultural production and waste treatment while diversifying products with high quality for exports.

According to Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Tung, all of the 139 rural communes in the city have met all criteria for new rural areas.

Over 92 percent of rural households in the city have accessed to clean water. Only one percent of households are living under the poverty line (the nationwide proportion is 4.5 percent). The annual per capita income in rural areas in 2019 is estimated at 55 million VND (2,366 USD), up 18.05 million VND against 2015.

The city strives to have all districts meet new-style rural criteria, and four districts, 20 communes, and 100 hamlets meet criteria for model new-style rural areas by 2025.

On this occasion, the municipal People’s Committee presented emulation flags to two collectives, certificates of merit to 84 collectives and 298 individuals in recognition of their significant contributions to the implementation of the national target programme on building new-style rural areas./.

Information minister receives Xinhua News Agency’s Vice President

 

Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung (R) and Vice President of Xinhua News Agency Zhang Sutang

 

Deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education and Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 15 for Vice President of China’s Xinhua News Agency Zhang Sutang.

Zhang is making a working visit to Vietnam from October 14 – 18 at the invitation of the State-run Vietnam News Agency (VNA).

Minister Hung expressed his delight at the outcomes of cooperation between the VNA and Xinhua over the past years, which he said has contributed to popularizing each country’s external policies, enhancing friendship between the two Parties and mutual understanding between the Vietnamese and Chinese people.

He hailed Xinhua for its renovation efforts recently such as adopting new technologies such as big data, cloud computing, Internet-of-Things, and artificial intelligence.

Zhang briefed the host about the organisational structure and operating model of Xinhua - the national news agency of China.

He believed that Xinhua and VNA share many similarities and will continue to effectively carry out signed agreements, enhance information sharing and exchange of visits, as well as support each other’s resident reporters.

VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi also received the Xinhua delegation the same day, during which he expressed thanks to Xinhua for its help to VNA through providing equipment and training for reporters and editors.

On information sharing, he said Xinhua’s news, especially those in English and Chinese, provide an important source of international news for VNA, especially those regarding China and Northeast Asia.

The host suggested that both sides should increase information sharing and fight negative news about their respective countries’ situation, especially distorted and reactionary news that aims to divide the two nations.

As national news agencies, Xinhua and VNA should carry more positive news about the other country, thus strengthening public trust in the political system and protecting the ideological foundation and the path to socialism in each country, he said.

Zhang shared Loi’s view that the two sides should promote the sharing of information and expertise towards improving news quality and mutual understanding between the two countries’ people.

Also in the morning the same day, VNA Deputy General Director Vu Viet Trang held talks with Vice President Zhang.

Both sides reviewed the implementation of the professional cooperation agreement signed in 2017 during a Vietnam visit by Xinhua President Cai Minzhao and commitments during the China visit in 2018 by General Director Loi.

Trang said English news by Xinhua is one of the major news sources used by VNA.

VNA receives about 5,000 – 6,000 photos from Xinhua each month, and sends about 10 photos featuring Vietnam’s political, socio-economic and cultural situation to Xinhua each day, she said, adding that VNA also uses video news with stable quality provided by Xinhua.

Host and guest pledged to expand cooperation in modern communications and share experience in new reporting methods.

As Vietnam and China will celebrate the 70th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year, both sides promised to work closely together to cover visits by leaders as well as the traditional friendship and achievement of cooperation between Vietnam and China.

In the afternoon, the Xinhua delegation visited the Vietnam Academy of Social Sciences./.

HCM City promotes hi-tech agricultural links with German state

 

Vice Chairman of HCM City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen (R) and Deputy Minister-President and Minister for Economic Affairs, Transportation, Agriculture and Viniculture Volker Wissing

 

Ho Chi Minh City wants to cooperate with Rheinland- Pfalz state of Germany to develop hi-tech agriculture, in line with its current priorities, said Vice Chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen.

Tuyen expressed the wish at a reception on October 15 for Rheinland- Pfalz state’s Deputy Minister-President and Minister for Economic Affairs, Transportation, Agriculture and Viniculture Volker Wissing.

He said the two sides can first work together to hold workshops for experts to share knowledge and experience in hi-tech agriculture and the application of smart technology in agriculture.

The official added that HCM City is willing to promote ties with the German state in fields of the German partner’s strength, and pledged to create the best possible conditions for foreign investors, including those from Rheinland- Pfalz, to do business in the city.

The German official said the opening of an office of Rheinland- Pfalz in Vietnam demonstrated the attention to and wish of the state’s government and businesses to promote cooperation with the Southeast Asian country, including its southern hub.

He expressed his impression at the dynamic development of HCM City and thanked the municipal authorities for facilitating German businesses’ operation.

Volker Wising affirmed that his state is ready to work with HCM City in hi-tech agricultural research as well as to exchange experts and transfer techniques in the field.

Rheinland- Pfalz authorities will also create favourable conditions for Vietnamese students to pursue education and businesses to operate in the state, he said./.

Party documents, personnel work in focus at Party Central Committee’s 11th plenum

 

At the 11th plenum of the Party Central Committee

 

Draft documents for the upcoming 13th National Party Congress and personnel issues were high on the agenda of the 11th plenum of the Party Central Committee, which took place in Hanoi from October 7-12.

*Orienting national developing based on balanced and sustainable rules

With the discussion of draft documents to be submitted to the 13th National Party Congress, the 11th plenum of the Party Central Committee is an essential preparatory step for the Congress, an event of great significance as it will look back at 35 years implementing Doi Moi (renewal), review the 10-year implementation of the Platform on national construction during the transitional period to socialism (revised and supplemented in 2011) and the socio-economic strategy in the 2011-2020 period.

The objective and comprehensive assessment of achieved outcomes, outstanding shortcomings and weaknesses, along with correct forecasts for future situation and trends, will provide the prerequisite for making sound decisions on the directions, goals and tasks of national development in the new situation and new period. Therefore, the Party Central Committee required real objectivity, strong desire for the truth and frankness when assessing the situation, avoiding unilateral and extremist views. While the achievements are great and of historical significance, many problems and weaknesses remain, which is the reason why the Party Central Committee urged avoiding self-satisfaction.

The handling of major relations in the development process was discussed in depth at the 11th plenum. They are the relations between renewal, stability and development; between economic and political reforms; between conformity to market rules and ensuring of the socialist direction; between economic growth and cultural development, social progress and justice and environmental protection.

The Party Central Committee also paid special attention to issues arising in reality, such as reforming and perfecting institutions; mobilizing, managing and effectively using all resources for development; reforming and enhancing operational efficiency of State-owned enterprises, and developing collective economy; encouraging and facilitating the development of the private economic sector as an important driver of the economy; fighting corruption, wastefulness and other negative phenomena in managing and using land, natural resources and public assets; concentrating land for the development of hi-tech agriculture; taking advantage of advances of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, promoting renewal and innovation; building human resources, especially in health care and educatin-training.

Based on analysis of the causes of problems and lessons drawn from achievements, the Party Central Committee emphasized the need to further push forward Party building and rectification work, and the fight against bureaucracy, corruption and wastefulness in combination with building a law-governed socialist State and a pure and strong political system. The Party Central Committee vowed to work to enhance the Party’s leadership and governance capacity and the State’s management; persistently and drastically implement the Resolution of the 4th plenum of the 12th Party Central Committee on Party building; stop and drive back the degradation of political ideology, morality and lifestyle among Party members and in society; and strengthen the bonds between the Party and people and the people’s trust in the Party and the State.

*Keeping power in check in personnel work

At this plenum, the Party Central Committee meted out disciplinary measures against two senior officials (former member of the 10th Party Central Committee and former deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Popularisation and Education Commission Nguyen Bac Son; and member of the 12th Party Central Committee, deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Popularisation and Education Commission and former Minister of Information and Communication Truong Minh Tuan). Thus, since the beginning of the 12th tenure, seven Party organisations and more than 70 high-ranking officials have been disciplined, including members and former members of the Politburo and Party Central Committee, ministers and former ministers, former Deputy Prime Ministers, secretaries and former secretaries of provincial Party Committees, generals of the police and army. This showed that the Party is serious and strict in dealing with mistakes, leaving no exceptions or “banned zones”.

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong said the punishment of those officials was painful but there is no other choice. “This is a profound and high-cost lesson for all of us,” he said.

Making personnel preparation for Party congresses at all levels towards the 13th National Party Congress provides an occasion to purify the contingent of officials and select capable and qualified persons for Party committees at all levels. For this reason, the Politburo recently issued Regulation 205-QD/TW on keeping power in check and fighting the use of money, influence to get positions and power. This is the first time the Party has promulgated a document stipulating clearly the authority and responsibility of Party committees, leaders and members of Party committees, advisors and nominated officials themselves in all steps of procedures in personnel work.

The Regulation was issued with the aim of identifying and stopping violations and negative phenomena in personnel work ahead of all-level Party congresses. However, the regulation can only produce expected results when every official and Party member applies it in a fair, honest and scientific manner in assessing and selecting personnel for Party committees at all levels. /.

UN has crucial role in Vietnam: diplomat

 

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung

 

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Hoai Trung has highly appreciated support of United Nations agencies and organisations for Vietnam while affirming the UN has a crucial role in Vietnam.

The Deputy FM made the statement at a workshop on reforming the UN development system held in Hanoi on October 15.

In recent years, the UN has pushed ahead with reform in three major arenas: development, peace and security, and management. Vietnam has always been recognised as the front line of that reform process, Trung said.

He added that the bilateral cooperation has been growing since Vietnam joined the UN in 1977.

The workshop encouraged participants to talk about influences of the UN development reform system on Vietnam, and the UN support capabilities for Vietnam’s development in various fields such as infrastructure and human resources, he added.

Kamal Malhotra, UN Resident Coordinator in Vietnam, described the workshop as a meeting of the joint steering committee to look back on the implementation of a joint strategy plan of the Vietnamese government and the UN in 2017-2021 as part of the “Delivering as One” (DaO) initiative.

He said the UN in Vietnam will continue acting as a catalyst in sharing international knowledge and expertise, good experiences and practices, and policy advice from the UN and its partners.

He hoped the UN development reform system will back the implementation of sustainable development goals for the sake of Vietnamese people.

During the workshop, participants proposed strategic recommendations for Vietnam to actively engage in the reform process and optimise its benefits as well as discussed solutions to remove bottlenecks in implementing cooperation projects and reform the development system in Vietnam./.

Hanoi voters confident in Party, State leadership

 

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong meets voters in Hanoi.

 

Voters in Hanoi’s Ba Dinh, Tay Ho and Hoan Kiem districts expressed their support for and confidence in the leadership of the Party and State, and the management of the Government during their meeting with Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong on October 15.

The voters said they oppose incorrect and distorted views on sea and island issues, which aimed to erode public confidence in guidelines and policies of the Party and State.

Voicing their concern over air and water pollution, the voters said timely attention is needed to ensure public health.

They called on the National Assembly to increase its supreme supervision in order to curb the rise in prices of essential goods.

Many voters pointed to the lack of laws, adding that many laws need to be adjusted and supplemented only shortly after promulgation. They urged improving the quality of law research and building, law enforcement and law education, especially at schools.

Regarding anti-corruption, the voters said stronger measures should be employed to punish corrupt officials, recover lost assets and close existing legal loopholes to prevent corrupt acts.

Voters also expressed concern about the situation in the East Sea, difficulties facing ethnic minority groups and the slow reform in education.

In reply, Party General Secretary and President Trong informed the voters about outcomes of the Party Central Committee’s 11th plenum that took place from October 7-12, with the personnel issue attracting attention from both the Party and the public.

He said the Politburo has issued some regulations in order to curb negative phenomena in the personnel work, ensuring that capable and worthy people are selected for the Party leadership, not only at the central level but also at other levels and in all sectors.

The leader said corruption prevention and control is a long-term, difficult and complex combat that requires joint effort of the entire political system and the public.

He reflected that since the beginning of the 12th tenure, the Party Central Committee, the Politburo, the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat and the Inspection Commission have meted out disciplinary measures against more than 70 high-ranking officials, including one Politburo member, four members of the Party Central Committee, 14 former members of the Party Central Committee and a former Deputy Prime Minister.

During the 11th plenum, two former members of the Party Central Committee were expelled from the Party, he said.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the top leader emphasised the need to maintain a peaceful and stable environment, while resolutely and persistently protecting national independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity./.

VN, Cambodia enhance cooperation in repatriation of soldiers’ remains

 

At the 18th session of the Governmental Specialised Committees of Vietnam and Cambodia in HCM City

 

The Vietnamese and Cambodian Governments on October 15 agreed to work closely to improve the cooperation efficiency in the search and repatriation of remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who laid down their lives during war time in Cambodia.

The information was heard at the 18th session of the Governmental Specialised Committees of Vietnam and Cambodia in Ho Chi Minh City.

Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Le Chiem, who is also Chairman of the Vietnamese Governmental Specialised Committee, co-chaired the event with Senior Advisor of the Cambodian Government Seang Lapresse, who is also Vice Chairman of the Cambodian Governmental Specialised Committee.

At the event, Chiem thanked and spoke highly of the Cambodian Government, committee and people for supporting the Vietnamese sides in the search and repatriation of martyrs’ remains.

He expressed his belief that with firm determination from both nations, the work will reap positive results in the coming time, contributing to deepening the neighbourliness, traditional friendship, as well as comprehensive and long-lasting cooperation between the two states and peoples.

Both sides agreed to enhance the communication work and mobilise people from all walks of life to provide information related to Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts who sacrificed their lives in Cambodia.

Meanwhile, speicalised committees at provinces, military zones and local authorities of both nations will exchange information and experience as well as direct the search and repatriation work regularly.

They also reached consensus on coordination to make a documentary film and compile a book about their cooperation in Vietnamese and Khmer.

On the occasion, the Vietnamese committee presented 523,000 USD to the Cambodian committee, six military zones of the Cambodian Royal Army, and specialised committees of 25 provinces and cities to support search and repatriation activities./.

Hanoi, Phnom Penh look to foster cooperation

 

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Quoc Hung (R) receives Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An

 

Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Nguyen Quoc Hung on October 15 called for strengthened cooperation and experience sharing between Hanoi and Phnom Penh.

In a reception for visiting Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister Men Sam An in Hanoi, Hung said the two localities should expand multifaceted cooperation in the coming time.

The friendship and cooperation between Hanoi and Phnom Penh in particular and between Vietnam and Cambodia in general has been increasingly enhanced, he stressed, expressing the hope that the Cambodian official’s visit will contribute to further promoting the relations between the two localities and two nations.

For her part, Men Sam An highlighted the close relations between the two countries, saying that the two Parties and States always support each other in their process of national construction.

She said the recent official visit by Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techno Hun Sen to Vietnam has contributed to promoting the demarcation work as well as expanding investment and trade links between the two countries.

The Party and people of Cambodia never forget the great support by their Vietnamese counterparts for Cambodia, she stressed.

She also applauded current cooperation between Phnom Penh and Hanoi, and wished for the further development of the friendship and solidarity between the two localities in the coming time.

During the meeting, the two sides exchanged experience in directing and managing inspection activities, and in resolving complaints, among other spheres./.

Algerian upper house speaker wants to boost ties with Vietnam

 

Outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Pham Quoc Tru (L) and Speaker of the Council of the Nation (upper house) of Algeria Salah Goudjil at their meeting on October 14

 

Speaker of the Council of the Nation (upper house) of Algeria Salah Goudjil said on October 14 that he will ask the Algerian Government to study and implement measures to join the Vietnamese Government in boosting bilateral cooperation across all fields, particularly economy and trade.

The official made the statement while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to Algeria Pham Quoc Tru, who came to bid farewell at the end of his tenure.

Lauding the efforts made by the diplomat and his contributions to bilateral ties, Goudjil took the occasion to express his gratitude for Vietnam’s support for Algeria during its struggle for independence and national construction.

He noted the two nations have exchanged a few delegations in recent years and their collaboration in various fields remains modest, falling short of the sides’ potential and traditional political relations.

Goudjil hoped that Vietnam and Algeria will join hands to strengthen their multifaceted cooperation.

For his part, Tru said Vietnam always values its friendship and close collaboration with Algeria, and is hoping to push the ties to a new height.

Speaking highly of Algeria’s efforts and achievements in national development, particularly its moves to tackle the current political crisis in line with its constitution and the people’s aspirations, the outgoing ambassador stated Vietnam always stands side by side with Algeria./.

Vietnam, Oman enhance bilateral cooperation

 

Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong

 

Vietnam and Oman have agreed to increase the exchange of delegations, especially high-level ones, and encourage both sides’ enterprises to take part in fairs and exhibitions of each country to seek cooperation opportunities.

The two sides reached the agreement at meetings between Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Quoc Cuong and leaders of relevant ministries of Oman during his visit to the Arab country from October 13-14.

They affirmed to actively implement signed agreements, especially deals reached at the third meeting of the Vietnam-Oman joint committee held in Hanoi in March last year.

At the meetings, the two sides informed each other of political, socio-economic situations of each country while reviewing bilateral cooperation and their collaboration at international forums.

They said cooperation between Vietnam and Oman is still modest and yet to reflect their potential.

Deputy FM Cuong and senior officials of Oman discussed measures to boost multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries, especially in economy, trade, investment, labour, agriculture, culture and tourism.

The two sides also discussed regional and international of shared concern.

During Cuong’s visit to Oman, he met with Minister Responsible for Foreign Affair Yusuf Bin Alawi Bin Abdullah, Minister of Commerce and Industry Ali Bin Masoud Al Sunaidy, and Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries Hamad Bin Said Sulaiman Al Aufi.

He and his Oman counterpart Khalifa Bin Ali Al Harthy held the third political consultation. Deputy Foreign Minister Cuong attended the Oman tourism and food exhibition 2019./.

Congratulations to newly-elected leaders of Indonesia parliament

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on October 14 sent congratulatory messages to newly-elected leaders of the Indonesian parliament.

She congratulated Speaker of the People’s Consultative Assembly Bambang Soesatyo, Speaker of the House of Representatives Puan Maharani, and Speaker of Regional Representative Council La Nyalla Mahmud Mattalitti.

Vietnam and Indonesia established diplomatic ties in 1955. The two sides are working to achieve a bilateral trade target of 10 billion USD in 2020./.

Quang Nam, Lao province to reinforce ties in border-related issues

 

The talks between the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Nam province and the Lao Front for National Construction Committee of the Lao province of Sekong on October 15

 

The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Quang Nam and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Committee of the Lao province of Sekong held talks in Tam Ky city in the central Vietnamese province on October 15.

At the annual event, Chairman of the VFF Committee of Quang Nam Vo Xuan Ca informed participants of the local socio-economic situation, along with the coordination, information exchange and mutual assistance between the two provinces.

He noted that exchange activities and the twinning of villages in Quang Nam and Sekong have helped strengthen the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos.

Chairwoman of the LFNC Committee of Sekong Bunhien Bunchit appreciated Quang Nam’s active and effective support for the Lao province, which has helped improve the material and spiritual lives of locals.

To realise the bilateral cooperation agreement, the LFNC Committee of Sekong and the VFF Committee of Quang Nam have coordinated with socio-political organisations to increase communications to raise border residents’ awareness of the importance of building a border of peace, friendship and solidarity, along with the Vietnam-Laos agreement on land border and border gate management regulations.

Joint patrols have also been maintained to protect the shared border and border markers, the officials noted.

At the talks, Quang Nam and Sekong agreed to continue communication activities and the implementation of the countries’ protocol on border and border markers. They will continue encouraging border residents to further engage in economic development and poverty elimination, while working together to deal with undocumented marriages and irregular migration across the border.

The two provinces will also coordinate more closely to search for the remains of volunteer Vietnamese and Lao soldiers who laid down their lives in each other’s countries, the officials said.

Vietnam and Laos share a border of about 2,337km that runs across 10 Vietnamese provinces and 10 Lao provinces. The section between Quang Nam and Sekong is more than 140km long./.

Deputy Defence Minister receives UK defence attachés

 

Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh (R) and UK defence attaché Col. David Houghton

 

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on October 14 for outgoing UK defence attaché Col. David Houghton and his successor Col. Beatrix V.H. Walcot.

Vinh said Vietnam and the UK have fostered long-standing friendship and all-around cooperation, including in defence, especially since the signing of the Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral defence cooperation in November 2011.

He thanked the UK Defence Ministry for assisting Vietnam in launching a Level-2 field hospital in South Sudan and training, especially English language, for officers to the United Nations peacekeeping mission.

In order to develop bilateral defence ties into a pillar in Vietnam – UK strategic partnership, Vinh suggested facilitating all-level visits, particularly high-level ones, to raise mutual understanding and collaboration./.

Vietnamese, Mexican parliaments exchange working experience

 

Pham Tat Thang, deputy chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children

 

Pham Tat Thang, deputy chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Culture, Education, Youth and Children, led a delegation to visit Mexico from October 6 to 13 for bilateral experience exchange.

As part of their trip, the delegation had a meeting with Alfredo Femat Banuelos, Chair of the Chamber of Deputies’ Foreign Affairs Committee, and representatives of the Mexican lower house’s committees for culture and cinema; youth and children rights; education; and sports.

The sides took the occasion to discuss issues related to law building, the relationship between parliament and government in law-making activities and the inspection role of parliamentary committees.

Participating Vietnamese and Mexican officials delved deeply into laws on education and culture, which are important to the development of human resources, and conservation of tangible and intangible heritage.

The two sides agreed to increase delegation exchanges to boost the traditional and fruitful ties between the two law-making bodies.

The Vietnamese delegation also met with the Mexican Secretariat of Culture to talk about subjects of common interest like the legal system concerning heritage, cinema, arts, press, library, and publication; the relationship between cultural preservation and economic development; education on cultural preservation; and public policy serving the cultural industry, among others.

At another meeting, the delegation and the Mexican Secretariat of Public Education compared notes on each country’s educational system from primary, secondary to tertiary levels as well as on educational development orientation and policy.

While in Mexico, the delegation visited the Vietnamese Embassy, paid floral tribute to late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in Mexico City, and had a working trip to Yucatan state./.

PM wants stronger agricultural partnership with China

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu in Hanoi on October 14

 

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc hosted a reception for Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu in Hanoi on October 14, during which the PM said that the countries should promote agricultural cooperation, contributing to balancing bilateral trade.

Lauding the Chinese delegation’s visit, the PM spoke highly of the partnership between the two agriculture ministries over the past 70 years and the practical outcomes in their cooperation with the recent signing of a number of agreements on trade on farm produce.

He noted that trade ties between Vietnam and China have expanded strongly over the years, and Vietnam is the biggest trade partner of China among ASEAN members.

For his part, Han thanked the Vietnamese PM for supporting the affiliation in agriculture between the two countries.

He told his host that during his talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Xuan Cuong, the two sides discussed various issues related to cooperation in agriculture and rural development, as well as application of science and technology in agriculture, agricultural product processing, and collaboration mechanisms between the two sides.

PM Phuc proposed that the two ministries should strengthen partnership in science and technology, asking the Chinese side to support Vietnam in training agricultural experts.

They should continue working closely to popularise to fishermen of the two countries the memorandum of understanding on bilateral cooperation in releasing and protecting aquatic resources, signed between the Vietnamese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development and the Chinese Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs in January, 2017.

He suggested that the two sides strengthen cooperation in dealing with issues related to fishing boats and fishermen, while pushing ahead with the negotiation and signing of a bilateral agreement on the setting up of a hotline for unexpected incidents in fishing activities at sea./.

Embassy in Japan takes citizen protection measures as typhoon hits

 

Flooding in Ashikaga, Tochigi, on October 13

 

The Vietnam Embassy in Japan has stepped up citizen protection work as Typhoon Hagibis hit the country on October 12 causing extensive damage.

The embassy has kept close contact with Japanese competent agencies, and has received no information about any human loss regarding the Vietnamese expatriate community in the country as of 20pm on October 13.

Regarding two Vietnamese citizens on board the Jia De ship of Panama, who went missing after the ship sank on Tokyo Bay on October 12, one of them was found and rescued together with three other sailors in the morning of October 13. The man, named Pham Van Duc, is now receiving treatment at a hospital in Yokohama. He is reportedly recovering positively.

The other Vietnamese, named Nguyen Van Tri, and six other sailors remain missing.

On October 12, the Vietnam Embassy also guided nine Vietnamese interns stuck in Fukushima to seek rescue from local agencies; and helped a group of seven Vietnamese tourists seek shelters in Tokyo.

The embassy has contacted labour companies in charge of the affected interns, asking them to conduct necessary procedures to ensure rights and interests of the group.

The Foreign Ministry of Vietnam has instructed the embassy to continue monitoring the situation, implementing measures to ensure the safety of Vietnamese citizens in Japan and coordinating with Japanese agencies in searching for the missing Vietnamese citizen.

Typhoon Hagibis lashed Tokyo and other areas in central, eastern and northeastern regions of Japan on October 12. It dumped record rainfall, flooding huge swaths of residential districts and leaving at least 33 dead and nearly 20 others missing, according to Kyodo News. Rescue efforts are continuing./.

PM: Developing collective economy must start from people’s demand

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc stressed that developing the collective economy must start from people’s demand, during a teleconference in Hanoi on October 14 reviewing the 15-year implementation of the resolution on renewing, developing and improving the efficiency of the collective economy and cooperatives.

The resolution was adopted at the fifth plenum of the 9th Party Central Committee.

The PM hailed the improving awareness of the collective economic development, evidenced by the 2012 Law on Cooperatives on the back of seven basic principles of the International Cooperative Alliance.

The number of cooperatives increases over years with new models. However, their contribution to the country’s gross domestic product remains modest and tends down.

He suggested learning from international experience to fully tap the power of new-style cooperatives and collective economic models.

Mechanisms to develop cooperatives and working groups must be fine-tuned, and coordination with other economic sectors, especially businesses, strengthened, towards opening up more new markets for farmers, the leader said.

He also asked for facilitating labour training, land and finance-credit policies, science-technology, and infrastructure upgrade, requiring tapping advantages and potential of cooperative models to make profound and basic changes in agricultural production and rural lives.

Deputy Prime Minister Vuong Dinh Hue said the outcomes of the teleconference will serve as important scientific evidence to report to the Politburo, thus contributing to policymaking in the near future.

Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said since the launch of the resolution 15 years ago and the adoption of the Law on Cooperatives in 2012, the number of effective cooperatives has kept growing, accounting for 55 percent of agricultural cooperatives and about 50 – 80 percent of non-agricultural ones.

In the morning the same day, the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment held a 2019 national forum on cooperative economy and cooperatives./.

Vietnam attends int’l meeting on preschool education in Mexico

 

Nguyen Thanh Long, deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, speaks at the meeting.

 

Nguyen Thanh Long, deputy head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information and Education, introduced Vietnam’s achievements in preschool education, at the 19th International Meeting on Early and Preschool Education in Mexico’s Monterrey city from October 9-13.

Vietnam has completed universal preschool education for five-year-old children, and is making efforts to improve the quality and efficiency of the universalisation of preschool education among children below five years old, he said.

The official highlighted the significance of education and training to national sustainable development, and stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State consider education and training the top national policy and a common cause of the entire society.

He shared Vietnam’s experience in this field such as promoting the Party’s leadership; mobilizing the involvement of socio-political organisations; intensifying communication work; and developing the network of preschools, especially in industrial and processing areas, among others.

During his stay in Mexico, Long and his entourage visited an establishment of Mexico’s Early Childhood Education Centres (CENDI).

He lauded CENDI’s preschool education methods that target poor children, and called on the network to share its experience with Vietnamese education agencies.

The annual meeting brought together more than 1,500 delegates from 28 countries and territories.

On the sidelines of the event, the Vietnamese delegation met with National Coordinator of Mexico’s Labour Party (PT) Alberto Anaya who reiterated his hope for stronger cooperation in preschool education between the party and Vietnam. /.

Vietnam, China seek ways to boost agricultural cooperation

China wants to cooperate with Vietnam in agricultural development such as science-technology, research facilities, infrastructure construction, farm produce processing, and agricultural investment, a Chinese official has said.

Chinese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Affairs Han Changfu made the statement during talks with Vietnamese Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Nguyen Xuan Cuong in Hanoi on October 14.

China hopes to cooperate with Vietnam in preventing African swine fever (ASF) from crossing the border, he said, adding that the two countries have shared experience in the field and will push ahead coordination in the coming time.

Han noted that China has always been the biggest importer of Vietnamese farm produce, and it will step up cooperation with Vietnam to promote agricultural product trading.

Vietnam’s agricultural products could access to the Chinese market through trade fairs and exhibitions where businesses could set up partnerships, he added.

According to Cuong, Vietnam and China have many groups of agricultural and aquatic products that could be supplemented each other.

Vietnam’s agricultural production capacity is extremely huge with about 50 million tonnes of food, 5 million tonnes of meat, 8 million tonnes of aquatic products, 12 billion eggs, 1 million tonne of milk, and 20 million cubic metres of wood, Cuong said.

Particularly, Vietnam has big advantages in producing coffee, pepper, rubber and cashew nuts, he said.

China is a big import market of Vietnamese farm produce, Cuong said, adding that the bilateral cooperation potential remains huge and the two sides should consider the possibility of supplying agricultural products for the global chain.

He suggested the two nations enhance cooperation in science-technology to cope with climate change and natural disasters as well as further develop the processing of farm produce.

The Vietnamese minister recommended the two sides to organise workshops to share experience in climate change response and deal with plant diseases.

Cuong proposed the Chinese minister facilitate the official export of some Vietnamese fruits to China such as durian and sweet potato.

The two ministers agreed to assign specialised agencies to prepare for the upcoming meeting in 2020, focusing on science-technology, connecting businesses in processing farm produce and developing the agricultural market, rural development, climate change adaptation, and cross-border disease control./.