Vietnam, Sri Lanka to amplify trade: PM

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has proposed that Vietnam and Sri Lanka strengthen their trade partnership while continuing to foster affiliation in investment, tourism, agriculture and seafood.

He made the suggestion during a meeting with outgoing Sri Lankan Ambassador Ivan Amarasinghe in Hanoi on February 26.

The PM said both sides should also continue their effective coordination at regional and international forums, especially the United Nations.

Lauding the diplomat’s contributions to boosting bilateral ties during his office tenure, PM Nguyen Tan Dung said he hopes the ambassador will continue acting as a bridge to friendship and partnership between the two countries in his new position.

For his part, Amarasinghe expressed his delight at the growing ties between Vietnam and Sri Lanka in recent years. He held that with strong cooperation and joint efforts coupled with 24 signed agreements in various fields, partnership between the two countries will flourish.

He proposed that both sides promote cooperation in agriculture, seafood and industrial plant product processing.

The diplomat also pledged to continue doing his utmost to contribute to the development of friendship and collaboration between the two nations.

Deputy PM bids farewell to Sri Lankan ambassador

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh bid farewell to outgoing Sri Lankan Ambassador Kalahe Gamage Ivan Amarasinghe during a reception in Hanoi on February 26.

Deputy PM Minh reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy of valuing the friendship and cooperation with Sri Lanka, and expressed his hopes that bilateral ties will continue to develop.

The host also praised the ambassador for his part in developing links across various fields, including trade that exceeded 20 million USD in trade in 2014.

Amarasinghe thanked the Deputy PM for supporting him during his six-year tenure in Vietnam.

He also pledged to continue strengthening the relationship between the two countries in the coming time.

UNDP-funded project to increase justice access gets extension

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has agreed to extend the duration of the UNDP-funded project “Strengthening Access to Justice and Protection of Rights in Vietnam ” through September 30.

The five-year project, which was initially designed to wrap up in 2014, aims to support a number of Vietnam ’s key priorities in legal and judicial reform.

The extension marks the continued assistance in implementing the strategy for the development of Vietnam ’s legal system through 2010 and support to the Judicial Reform Steering Committee’s Secretariat in conducting cross-cutting research on Judicial Reform Strategy through 2020.

The project also targets strengthened partnership and aid coordination between the government, donors and social organisations.

It consists five components, including enhancing access to justice and protection of rights, and promoting judicial reform through assisting interdisciplinary research and initiatives.