Political News Headlines 17/3 Vietnam hailed for preparations for 132nd IPU Assembly President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Abdelwahad Radi has appreciated Vietnam’s efforts in preparing for the 132nd IPU Assembly scheduled to be held in the country in March, 2015.   NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (L) and IPU President sign an agreement regarding the preparation for the 132nd IPU Assembly (Source: VNA) At a March 17 meeting with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung in Geneva, Switzerland, the IPU leader expressed his belief that the event’s success will mark a milestone in the IPU’s history and at the same time help lure more foreign investors to the host country. Abdelwahad Radi also spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements over the past years, attributing them to significant contributions of the Vietnamese legislature. NA Chairman Hung thanked the IPU President for his support for Vietnam’s hosting of the 132nd IPU Assembly and asked for his further assistance to the Vietnamese legislative body’s activities. Hung used the occasion to announce Vietnam’s suggestion about the theme of the 132nd IPU Assembly which will focus on parliament and the implementation of the sustainable development programme beyond 2015. He said Vietnam hopes the theme will encourage member parliaments to exchange viewpoints and priorities of their countries and regions for the post-2015 development. The proposal won approval of the IPU leader, who said that it is in line with the IPU’s strategic orientations, including the enhancement of parliaments’ support of international development goals. Following the talks, the two officials witnessed the signing of an agreement between the Vietnamese NA and the IPU regarding the preparation for the 132nd IPU Assembly and relevant meetings. The important document serves as the legal framework for Vietnam to officially host the events. On this occasion, Vietnam unveiled the IPU Assembly’s logo. VN, WB target central region growth Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc met with World Bank (WB) Viet Nam Country Director Victoria Kwakwa on Friday, March 14, to discuss a central coast region development workshop scheduled to take place in May.   Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and World Bank Viet Nam Country Director Victoria Kwakwa.  The Deputy PM said the Government of Viet Nam regarded the WB as a reliable partner in assisting infrastructure development and poverty eradication in Viet Nam, notably through policy consultation and by supplying vital resources. Both sides agreed that the workshop would focus on opportunities and challenges facing the region, and the possibility of bilateral cooperation under the master plan for the development of the north-central and central coastal regions up to 2020. The event will highlight strategies and development priorities for the central coast region, as well as the level of support that the WB will offer in strengthening the fight against climate change and lacklustre infrastructure. Kwakwa affirmed that the WB stood side by side with Viet Nam to help the country achieve its economic development goals. Ha Noi marks Int'l Francophone Day Viet Nam was, is, and will be an active, responsible member of the Francophone community, for building a bloc of solidarity and strength, said Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan. The vice president voiced her opinion during a ceremony held on Friday to commemorate International Francophone Day, which is due to be held on March 20. She hailed what the French-speaking community reaped over the past years, especially its involvement in the global efforts to cope with climate change, and promote diversity of cultures and languages. Secretary General of the International Francophone Organisation Abdou Diouf lauded Viet Nam for successfully hosting the Ha Noi summit, a milestone in the history of the Francophone bloc with the adoption of the Francophone Charter and the election of the first Secretary General. PM holds telephone talks with US White House Chief of Staff Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on March 14 held telephone talks with US President Barack Obama’s Chief of Staff Denis MacDonough on concrete measures to accelerate bilateral ties and Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) negotiations. Both sides emphasised the importance of bolstering the Vietnam-US comprehensive partnership and continued efforts to strengthen the bilateral relations, particularly in the fields of economy, trade and investment as well as exchange of high-level contacts. The two sides affirmed their determination to closely coordinate for early conclusion of the TPP negotiations in accordance with the Honolulu Joint Statement on a comprehensive and balanced agreement, which takes into account the diversity of levels of development of members like Vietnam. The telephone talks were conducted following a request from the US side. Mekong summit in HCM City to foster closer ties Top government officials from Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam will gather in Ho Chi Minh City in early April to set course on sustainable development for the Mekong River Basin. Vietnam Investment Review reported delegates will discuss challenges to the current development of the basin and a strategic direction and policy for the Mekong River Commission (MRC). The April 2-4 summit is expected to issue a joint statement, outlining prioritised areas for MRC cooperation from 2016-2020. Vietnamese, Cuban court sectors boost cooperation Vietnam’s court sector is willing to share experience with its Cuban counterpart so that they can further perfect the two countries’ legal systems, contributing to maintaining security and social order as well as sustainable development. Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court Truong Hoa Binh made the remark during talks with his Cuban counterpart Ruben Remigio Ferro as part of his working visit to Cuba from March 10-15. Binh thanked the Cuban people for their valuable support and assistance for Vietnam during the struggle for national independence in the past as well as the current national construction and development. He also briefed his host about the Vietnamese court sector’s activities and the country’s judiciary reform roadmap. For his part, Ferro said that Vietnam’s experience is valuable for Cuba as the country is in the process of reforming its legal system to suit the reality of its development. He affirmed that like Vietnam, Cuba always respects citizens’ basic rights and seriously follows international conventions. He said it is determined to struggle against law violations and educate its people to abide by the law in the interests of the nation. Regarding bilateral cooperation, the two sides agreed to continue supporting each other in staff training and exchanges of delegations and documents. During his stay in Cuba, Binh met with President of the National Assembly of People’s Power Esteban Lazo and head of the International Relations Department of the Communist Party of Cuba Central Committee Hose Ramon Balaguer. NA Chairman welcomes RoK city chief Viet Nam will create favourable conditions for foreign enterprises, including those from South Korea, to invest and do business in Viet Nam, stated National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. He remarked during the reception organised to welcome President Lee Woo-hyun, who leads the municipal council of the Korean city of Yongin, in Ha Noi, on Friday. Hung reiterated Viet Nam's consistent policy of strengthening the partnership between the two countries. On his part, Lee expressed his admiration for Viet Nam's growth and development in the recent times and emphasised that he would do his utmost to promote co-operation between Yongin City and Viet Nam's localities, as well as call on South Korean investors to invest in Viet Nam. Viet Nam, Uzbekistan agree to boost trade Viet Nam and Uzbekistan have discussed concrete measures to boost co-operation in various fields during an ongoing political consultation at the deputy foreign ministerial level event in Ha Noi. During the event organised between March 12 and 15, both countries agreed to intensify economic-trade co-operation and increase their collaboration in fields, such as oil and gas, textile and garments. Lao deputies study People’s Council operations in Ninh Binh V ice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphan Phenkhamy on March 16 led a delegation to visit to the northern province of Ninh Binh to learn about how the people’s council in the locality operates. Chairman of the provincial People’s Council Nguyen Tien Thanh briefed the Lao NA delegation about its functions, tasks and activities at provincial, district and commune levels. Lao members were keen on the province’s experience in electing officials to fill National Assembly and People’s Council positions. Somphan Phenkhamy expressed his thanks for the warm welcome of the provincial authorities and people. He stressed that in the time to come the Lao NA will work together with the Vietnamese side to develop their bilateral relationship in a sustainable and effective manner, contributing to furthering the two countries’ special traditional friendship. Ho Chi Minh City fosters ties with Mongolian capital Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan has stated that the metropolis will try its best to foster ties with the Mongolian capital Ulaanbaatar. Meeting the visiting Chairman of the Ulaanbaatar City Council Dashjamts Battulga on March 14, Quan said he hopes the two cities will create all possible conditions for each other to share their experience and boost cooperation in areas that interest both sides. He reiterated that this year, Vietnam and Mongolia will celebrate their 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Over the past six decades, the two countries have shared a sound relationship, he said, stressing that this is a firm foundation for them to further improve their cooperation in various fields, including economics, trade and education and training. For his part, Battulga said he is impressed at the strong development of Ho Chi Minh City over the recent past. He said his visit aims to further bolster ties between the two cities, especially in urban planning and education. As the potential of economic and trade cooperation between Ulaanbaatar and Ho Chi Minh City are abundant, the two sides should organise more business forums to create opportunities for enterprises to enhance their connectivity, he suggested. Battulga also promised that his city will spare no effort to hold suitable activities celebrating the upcoming 60 th anniversary. Ulaanbaatar will organise a number of cultural exchanges so that people in the two cities can deepen their mutual understanding, he added. Vietnam devises financial cooperation with US, Japan Vietnam has outlined its financial cooperation plans for 2014 and beyond with the US and Japan during Finance Minister Dinh Tien Dung’s 10-day tour to the countries, which ended on March 14. In the US, Dung held working sessions with executives of the New York Stock Exchange, Coca Cola and Metlife Insurance, as well as meetings with senior US officials, including the Secretary of Treasury and the Federal Reserve Chair. In an interview granted to a New York-based Vietnam News Agency correspondent, he said US officials have appreciated Vietnam’s efforts to stabilise the macro economy and restructure its national economy. While delighted with the progress in their trade and investment over recent times, both sides agreed that that level has not yet matched its capacity, he said. Regarding the negotiations on the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) agreement, Minister Dung said both sides agreed to push for the early signing of the agreement. In Japan, Dung proposed the host increase ODA for Vietnam, especially the form of direct budget assistance. The Vietnamese Ministry signed two agreements with the Japan International Cooperation Agency, borrowing 250 million USD for the country to improve its climate change response and enhance economic management and competitiveness. He stressed that Vietnam will work to make it easier for foreign businesses, including Japanese and US ones, to pour more investment in the country. Source: VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA