Political News Headlines 27/2 Deputy PM asks for education support from the UK Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has called upon the UK to share its experience in education with Viet Nam and provide the country with direct support and technical assistance in the area.   Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam receives UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, Lord David Terence Puttnam, in Ha Noi yesterday. Dam made his appeal at a reception for the UK Prime Minister's Trade Envoy to Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, Lord David Terence Puttnam, in Ha Noi yesterday, Feb 26. Along with the rapid increase of the bilateral trade, the two countries enjoy great opportunities to deepen their ties, particularly in education, the deputy PM said. Appreciating the UK education, Deputy Prime Minister Dam said that the Vietnamese Government wishes to upgrade its education sector, as it looks ahead to the next five decades. Also, speaking highly of the strategic partnership between the two countries, especially in economics, trade and investment, he said such cooperative outcomes have brought about practical benefits to each country's development. For his part, Lord Puttnam noted that the UK has always valued cooperation with Viet Nam and he hopes that outstanding agreements reached between the two sides can be implemented soon. He suggested that Viet Nam devise a long-term human resource training plan in order to meet the requirements for its sustainable development. Indonesian Speaker prepares to embark on Viet Nam visit Sidarto Danusubroto, Speaker of the People's Consultative Assembly of Indonesia, will lead a high-ranking delegation on an official visit to Viet Nam starting on March 1. The five-day visit is being made at the invitation of Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung. Vietnam, France agree to bolster justice cooperation The Vietnamese Justice Minister has discussed the possibility of cooperating with the French side in the joining of international conventions related to civil and economic rights as well as the implementation of the Hague Convention on international justice.   Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong and his French counterpart Christiane Taubira (Source: VNA) The discussion came up from Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong’s talks with his French counterpart Christiane Taubira on February 25 in Paris during his working visit from February 22-25. The Vietnamese Minister was briefed that France is drafting a plan to help Vietnam develop legal support professions like lawyer, notary services and court secretary. The officials shared their regret that the Vietnam-France Legal House was shut down after 19 years of operation, pledging to work together to set up a similar institution that would connect their professionals and with regional colleagues. Taking with the Paris-based Vietnam News Agency correspondents after the talks, Taubira said the discussion reached agreements to further foster partnership and future specific joint projects. She also revealed that she accepted Minister Cuong’s invitation to visit Vietnam to review the outcomes of bilateral legal and judiciary cooperation. The same day, Minister Cuong met with Jean-Marc Sauve, Vice President of Council of State of France and President of the French Institute of Administrative Sciences, during which they signed an agreement on cooperation in building and issuing law and legal documents related to administration. The agreement will allow Vietnam to study France’s experience in building laws to standardise State decisions in a time when it is preparing to draft a law on administrative decisions, he said. At a later meeting with Chief of France’s Court of Cassation Vincent Lamanda, the Minister was introduced to the experience in setting and applying legal precedent in judging, which is helpful for Vietnam in undertaking its legal and judicial reforms. Minister Cuong and his entourage left France the same day for a working visit to Algeria. Vietnam, Algeria step up judicial bond ietnamese Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong has called on Algeria to share experience in building legal institutions and laws in each country, thus ensuring that courts operate independently. The minister made the appeal in talks with his Algerian counterpart Tayeb Louh in Algiers on February 26 during his four-day visit to the country. He noted his hope that the two ministries will also work together in modernising applicable technology and professional training. Host and guest used this occasion to discuss a range of issues regarding the two countries’ bilateral cooperation. Briefing his host on Vietnam’s achievements in the renewal process, Cuong said Vietnam amended its Constitution and is continuing to complete the legal system to step forward a rule-of-law state. For his part, Louh stressed the need to enhance the bilateral cooperation to cope with present-day challenges. Speaking highly of Vietnam’s renewal achievements, he noted his hope that Algeria can learn from the country’s experience, especially in the enforcement of laws. The pair later exchanged documents ratifying an agreement on judicial support in criminal affairs and another on extradition, initially inked in Algeria on April 14, 2010. Accordingly, the two agreements will come into effect 30 days after the exchange of documents. The two sides also signed an annual cooperation plan, focusing on training, information sharing and the exchange of delegations. While staying in Algeria, Cuong also met with President of the Supreme Court of Algeria Slimane Boudi. Lao NA delegation visits Ho Chi Minh City Laos wishes to gain from Vietnam’s experience in organising local parliamentary activities and collecting policy opinions from members of the public. Phonethep Pholsena, head of the Lao NA Committee for Cultural and Social Affairs, made the statement at a meeting with Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, Deputy Secretary of the Party Committee of Ho Chi Minh City and Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council, in the city on February 26. Noting with pleasure the strong development of Vietnam and the city in particular, the Lao official said his visit to Vietnam aims to strengthen the solidarity and special friendship between the two countries. In reply, Tam said the city and Lao localities have conducted exchanges of delegations in recent years, thus helping enhance their mutual understanding, solidarity and friendship. Briefing her guest on the city’s achievements in socio-economic development, she said it is accelerating its economic transformation in line with the Government’s guidelines. Apart from economics, municipal authorities have also paid special attention to social welfare, job generation, human resources development and especially poverty reduction, she said. The host also stressed activities of the municipal People’s Council which play a decisive role in the city’s major issues. Meeting marks Vietnam-Venezuela solidarity Vietnam will always stand side by side with Venezuela and do its utmost to enhance the friendship and cooperation between the two countries. Vu Van Hien, Chairman of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association, made the remarks at a meeting in Hanoi on February 26 to mark the Day of Solidarity with Venezuela. Vietnam has always acknowledged the support by Venezuelan people to the country during the past struggles against foreign aggressors as well as the present path of national construction, he said. Highlighting the cause of the late Venezuelan President and Commander-in-Chief Hugo Chavez, who led the country into socialism, Hien reaffirmed the solidarity of the association and Vietnamese people towards the Venezuelan people during their revolutionary struggle. In reply, Venezuelan Ambassador Jorge Rondon Uzcategui said the meeting helps encourage Venezuelan people to safeguard the Bolivarian revolution and build a greater and sovereign country, meeting the aspirations of Chavez. According to him, Vietnam and Venezuela are preparing to mark the eight anniversary of Chavez’s official visit to Vietnam and the 50th anniversary of Venezuela guerillas’ campaign to rescue Nguyen Van Troi, a young Vietnamese patriot. China military delegation visits Quang Ninh A delegation from the Fangcheng military subdivision in Guangxi, southern China, has paid a visit to the Border Guard High Command of the northern border province of Quang Ninh. Over the years, both sides have regularly exchanged information and effectively implemented a number of memoranda of understanding as well as jointly handling cases relating to illegal immigration, weapon smuggling, trans-national crime and human trafficking. They have also closely worked together to maintain social order and security in border areas, improve the performance of customs clearance and promote friendly exchange between the two countries’ armed forces and people. VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA