Political News Headlines 17/2 Vietnam, Laos improve border control Officials from the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of Vietnam and Laos have held a conference at the international border gates of Lao Bao (Vietnam) and Densavan (Laos) to supervise the application of the “one-stop-shop” model there. The OSS model aims to streamline administrative procedures by minimising the amount of offices to visit and paperwork to complete. Inspections show that the gate’s infrastructure has been upgraded, with the two agencies working together more closely to supervise import-export and monitor entry-exit activities. The border gate has successfully deployed a new e-customs system, helping to reduce waiting times and increase precision throughout the customs clearance process. However, the two countries still have different regulations on customs and are yet to reach complete consensus in the best way to oversee procedures. Both sides also organized a seminar on measures to promote the application of this model as well as discussing plans to upgrade the local infrastructure, equipment, and technology. High up on the seminar’s agenda was a schedule of activities in preparation for the official application of the model on January 1st, 2015 following a pilot period. They also focused their discussions on methods of dealing with pending issues and agreed to submit their proposals to the two governments by November. NA chairman meets investors More than 600 domestic and foreign businesses have gathered at a February 15 meeting in Nghe An Province presided over by National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. This is the sixth time Nghe An has hosted such a meeting, convened to call for more investment in the interests of socio-economic development. The province has managed to attract a large number of both domestic and foreign investors thanks to its advantageous geographical position, abundant natural resources, and skilled labour force. Nghe An’s more than 600 investment projects have a combined capitalization exceeding VND100 trillion. Many of the projects use advanced technologies, contributing to provincial socio-economic development and generating employment for local people. Meeting participants praised the province’s investment environment, especially in regards to investment licensing and site clearance procedures. They proposed increasing investment in infrastructure, devising long-term strategies, prioritising major projects, and offering advanced technology businesses the best possible conditions in which to operate. Provincial leaders affirmed they will spare no effort to support businesses and facilitate business operation. NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said Nghe An should clearly identify its socio-economic development targets and orient provincial plans and strategies towards fulfilling them. He urged the province to capitalize on its many advantages and harness the power of local residents’ potential. Nghe An should learn from the investment attraction experiences of neighbouring provinces and create an environment of openness and transparency. Investors took advantage of the meeting to sign memoranda of understanding on cooperation, credit support, and social welfare assistance. The organising board also granted a number of investment licenses and presented certificates of merit recognising outstanding individuals and organisations for their contributions to provincial investment in 2013.  President enjoys ethnic traditions at cultural festival in Ha Noi President Truong Tan Sang, together with village heads, religious dignitaries, intellectuals and Vietnamese expatriates, enjoyed a feast of ethnic minority culture in Ha Noi's outlying district of Son Tay last Saturday.   President Truong Tan Sang visits ethnic people at the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups.  Addressing the dignitaries, gathered at the Culture-Tourism Village of Vietnamese Ethnic Groups in Son Tay, the President stated that while marching along the path towards industrialisation, modernisation and international integration, traditional culture needs to be well preserved to solidify the great national unity. This, he said, was necessary to safeguard the nation's independence, sovereignty, unification and territorial integrity. The feast, known as "Spring colours in all parts of the nation," increases mutual understanding and imparts a sense of solidarity among various Vietnamese ethnic groups, according to the President. Adding to the air of festivity were various one-of-a-kind customs, a horse-racing competition or rituals of new rice offering. The three-day festival is being co-hosted by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the village's management board and the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee. NA chairman courts investors in Nghe An National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met with investors from around the country in the central province of Nghe An on Saturday. The event, now in it's sixth successive year, allowed the Chairman the opportunity to discuss issues relating to investment and trade enhancement.   NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung met with investors from around the country in the central province of Nghe An on Saturday. The Chairman highlighted the importance of incentives for investors and the expansion of the province's seaport network and East-West highway. Embedded in his request, Chairman Hung reiterated the need for local authorities to review economic policy for their development master plan. The provincial officials were optimistic that investors would inject more capital into the central province, which would bolster the use of advanced technologies and support environmentally-friendly growth. Economists and members of the business community strongly advocated the need for improvements in the quality of the local workforce, with delegates voicing support for additional training and skills development. The event also saw the provincial People's Committee grant investment licenses to a wide range of domestic and foreign businesses. At similar events, held between 2009 and 2013, Nghe An Province licensed 47 projects collectively valued at more than VND61.6 trillion (US$2.9 billion), including five foreign-invested deals worth more than VND2.5 trillion ($110 million). The same day, the top legislator attended a ceremony to kick-start the construction of a VND450 billion ($21.4 million) flyover across National Highway 46. He attended the inauguration of Nghe An's largest hi-tech industrial production complex, which, in the next five years, is expected to provide jobs for nearly 16,000 workers. The Chairman also kicked-off a tree planting ceremony in the locality. Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia bolster ties in Geneva The Permanent Mission of Vietnam to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation and other international organisations hosted a special exchange in Geneva on February 14 with the missions of Laos and Cambodia. The aim of the event was to strengthen Vietnam’s ties with the two neighbours. I n his speech, the head of the Vietnamese mission, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, expressed his warm sentiments to the Lao and Cambodian friends who joined his staff to celebrate the recent Lunar New Year (Tet) in the city. Lao Ambassador Thongphane Savanphet voiced his hope that the traditional relations and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos in general, and between the two permanent missions in Geneva, will be further strengthened. Meanwhile, his Cambodian counterpart Ney Samol was grateful to participate in Vietnam’s traditional festivity for the first time, saying he had been made to feel at home. The two diplomats shared the view that the event offered a great opportunity for Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to nurture and further develop friendship and solidarity between the three countries. Viet Nam begins construction on nation's longest sea bridge Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on Saturday gave the order to begin construction of the nation's longest bridge connecting Tan Vu and Cat Hai island in the northern port city of Hai Phong. The bridge is expected to be finished by 2017 and will span a total length of 15.6km, linking developing areas in Hai Phong's Dinh Vu industrial park with the Ha Noi–Hai Phong Highway, which is also under construction. The project will cost more than VND11.8 trillion (US$560 million), of which more than VND10 trillion ($470 million) will be sourced from Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA). One of two major pillars underpinning a project to expand infrastructure in Lach Huyen Port, it is expected to become the first international transit port in the northern region. Addressing the event, PM Dung encouraged the use of advanced technologies and efforts to ensure the project would be completed on time and in accordance with quality standards. He also asked the Ministry of Transport to work closely with the municipal agencies to clear bottlenecks and deal with any obstacles that arise. Dung also paid tribute to the Japanese Government and the Japan International Cooperation Agency for their provision of ODA to the project. He declared that the Japanese-funded ODA would be a valuable contribution to Viet Nam's development. Vietnam-Belarus Friendship Association holds 3rd congress The Vietnam-Belarus Friendship Association (VBFA) convened its 3rd National Congress in Hanoi on February 15 to chart its operation course for the 2014-2019 tenure. It elected Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Nguyen Thai Lai as President and a 34-member executive committee. Addressing the event, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Associations Nguyen Thi Hoang Van suggested the association reforming its activities to expand friendship and seek cooperative and development opportunities. On the occasion, she presented certificates of merit and insignias “For peace, friendship among nations” to groups and individuals of the association in recognition of their active contributions to deepening the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Speaking at the congress, Belarusian Ambassador to Vietnam Valery Sadokho said he believes that the VBFA will work harder to strengthen mutual understanding between people of Vietnam and Belarus. Deputy PM reiterates friendship with Cuba, India Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has said Vietnam attaches importance to its friendship and traditional collaboration with Cuba, voicing his hope that the newly-accredited Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam will contribute greatly to the thriving ties between the two countries. Deputy PM Minh made the remark at a February 14 reception for new Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz on the occasion of his taking office in the country. At the reception, the host called on the ambassador to further boost the development of bilateral business, trade and investment cooperation in accordance with the expectations of the two sides. For his part, the guest said he will continue to deepen the special Vietnam-Cuba ties, which have been built and promoted by both sides’ leaders and people. The same day, Deputy PM Minh also received Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Preeti Saran. Vietnam values the traditional friendship and strategic partnership with India and backs its Look East policy, he noted adding that the country wants India to continue making great contributions to maintaining peace, stability and growth in the region and the world. Ambassador Saran vowed to work closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to further step up the ties between the two sides in both bilateral and multilateral directions. Vietnam Year in France kicks off A colourful combination of cultural and art performances in front of about 2,000 guests in the Chatelet Theatre, Paris has officially opened the Vietnam Year in France. Following the France Year in Vietnam to celebrate the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relationship between the two countries, the Vietnam Year is expected to present some 150 cultural events across France between February and July. The opening witnessed the attendance of Vietnamese Minister of Culture and Sports Hoang Tuan Anh, who is visiting France on February 13-16. The Vietnam Year in France will introduce to French and international friends about an Asian nation that has been so close and connected to France through history, culture and other ties, which are strengthened through Strategic Partnerships signed between two sides last year, Vietnamese Ambassador to France Duong Chi Dung told Vietnam News Agency correspondents. "The event will make strong advances in the mutual relationship between the two countries as well as localities, connecting communities," said Dung. "It's an ample opportunity for Vietnam to learn from France in terms of technology and experience in organising activities to promote the country's images abroad methodically and professionally." Regarding cultural co-operation, Dung said the two sides were prepared to organise the biggest exhibition entitled "Dragons on Antiques" at the Guimet Museum in Paris in September and a large-scale conference "Vietnam Arts, a New Approach." A range of activities will also be held to accelerate Vietnamese cinematography works, circus, water puppetry, contemporary dance and music, ca tru (ceremonial singing), and traditional martial arts performance. In particular, Vietnamese cuisine will be promoted through special programmes in local hotels, on streets and public spaces. Mexico to boost multifaceted ties with Vietnam Mexico wishes to enhance political dialogues and friendship with Vietnam in order to further promote trade cooperation, cultural exchange and scientific research between the two countries. At a recent reception for Vietnamese Ambassador Le Thanh Tung, Chairman of the Mexican Senate’s Foreign Affairs Committee for Asia Pacific, Senator Teofilo Torres Corzo said the committee is committed to stepping up all-round relations with Vietnam and other countries in the region. The chairman also informed Tung of outcomes reached at the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) held in the western Mexico state of Jalisco. He affirmed that the event reaped important progresses in terms of cooperation mechanisms to fight terrorism and drug, ensure food and energy security, and boost green development, tourism and poverty reduction. The forum also pointed out new challenges facing regional countries, and sought effective measures to deal with these, he added. For his part, Ambassador Tung said Vietnam and Mexico should intensify the sharing of experience in trade, scientific research and cultural exchange, which he said is the most practical way to contribute to both countries’ national construction and development.   Revised Land Law enforcement discussed The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) jointly held a conference in Hanoi on February 14 to discuss the enforcement of the revised Land Law, which was adopted by the 13th National Assembly in November last year. Participants gave comments on draft decrees on land prices and compensation, support and resettlement for those whose land is taken from them. According to MoNRE Minister Nguyen Minh Quang, the 2013 Land Law, which will take effect on July 1, 2014, is an important document that will completely renovate land policy to meet the country’s socio-economic development requirements in a period of rapid industrialisation, modernisation and international integration. Decrees detailing the enforcement of the law must abide by and accord with the provisions of the Constitution, he affirmed. The draft decree on compensation, support and resettlement consists of three chapters with 24 articles that mention 14 contents of the Land Law. Based on ideas contributed by ministries, agencies and localities, the two decrees focus on mechanisms and policies to support people whose land is revoked, ensuring their living standards and jobs as well as an equality among land users, Minister Minh said. NA Chairman launches construction on Nghe An’s projects Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Sinh Hung has attended ground-breaking ceremonies for the two major projects in the central Nghe An province. On February 15, NA Chairman attended a ceremony to kick-start construction work on a flyover at the intersection between National Highway 46 and the North-South railway in Nghe An. At a total cost of VND450 billion (US$21.4 million) under the build-operate-transfer (BOT) form, the project is expected to be open to traffic by April next year. The project, one of 80 flyovers on the North-South railway, will help ease traffic congestion and reduce accidents at the intersection. National Highway 46 links National Highway 1A and the province’s western districts. The top legislator also witnessed the official opening of workshop no 1 of a hi-tech industrial complex project with total capitalisation of nearly VND2,200 billion. The production line is one of eight workshops producing high-grade jewellery products and on completion is expected to generate approximately 16,000 jobs in the next five years. The same day, the NA leader joined a tree-planting ceremony in Nam Dan district to commemorate the late President Ho Chi Minh. President visits Tran Dai Nghia memorial site President Truong Tan Sang has visited the Mekong Delta province of Vinh Long to inspect the construction of a memorial site for professor Tran Dai Nghia, an excellent disciple of President Ho Chi Minh and a great scientist of Vietnam’s revolution. Speaking at a meeting with Vinh Long leaders on February 16, President Sang conveyed the memorial site will have deep national significance, reflecting the moral code of “remembering the water source we drink” and educating future generations on the Vietnamese revolutionary traditions and Professor Nghia’s diligence, creativity and dedication to his country. He was the innovator of weapons during the resistance war against the French colonialists, opening a new path of development for Vietnam’s military and contributing to the victory of the Vietnamese revolution. Earlier on February 15, President Sang attended a ceremony to officially unveil a memorial stele for Nguyen Sinh Sac, father of President Ho Chi Minh, in the Mekong Delta province of Dong Thap. He also presented gifts to families, who have excelled in building new rural areas in Hoa An commune. Deputy PM welcomes incoming Cuban, Indian ambassadors Vietnam attaches importance to its friendship and traditional collaboration with Cuba, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh said at a February 14 reception for incoming Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Herminio Lopez Diaz. He voiced hopes Cuba’s newly-accredited Ambassador to Vietnam will dedicate himself to ensuring ties between the two countries continue to thrive. Deputy PM Minh called on Ambassador Diaz to advance bilateral business and investment cooperation as expected by both sides. Ambassador Diaz pledged to deepen the special Vietnam-Cuba relationship so highly valued by the two nations’ respective leaders and people Deputy PM Minh also received incoming Indian Ambassador to Vietnam Preeti Saran on the same day. He reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to its strategic partnership with India and its support for India’s Look East policy. Deputy PM Minh said Vietnam is eager to see India expand its contributions to maintaining peace, stability, and growth in the region and the world. Ambassador Saran vowed to work closely with relevant Vietnamese agencies to build upon the bilateral relationship’s solid foundations while also extending cooperation in multilateral directions. Japan shares experience in constitutional enforcement Leading Japanese experts including Tokyo University’s Honourable Professor Higuchi Yoichi and Legal Department Deputy Head Tachibana Yukinobu shared their experience in constitutional enforcement at a February 14 seminar in Hanoi. Organised by the National Assembly Office (NA Office) and Japan International Cooperation Agency, the seminar offered Vietnamese agencies a chance to learn how international expertise can guide constitutional enforcement in Vietnam. Introducing the 2013 amended Constitution, NA Office Vice Chairman Nguyen Sy Dung stressed the constitution’s institutional reforms and new regulations lay firm foundations for a Vietnamese State governed by law and respectful of citizens’ rights. The changes to the constitution also encourage decentralising power to local administrations, establishing a national election council, promoting human rights more broadly, and continuing Vietnam’s comprehensive Renewal process. The NA Standing Committee has issued a resolution on implementing Vietnam’s constitutional amendments in a timely, united,  and efficient manner. All constitutional regulations must be respected if Vietnam’s Renewal process—striving to create a wealthy people, a strong nation, and a democratic, equitable, and civilised society—is to have any chance of success. VNN/VNS/VNA/VOV