Political News 14/8 President Sang welcomes Marxist theory scholars   President Truong Tan Sang on August 13 received two Marxian theorists, Samir Amin and Francois Houtart who are on a visit to Vietnam for an international seminar discussing self-control plans for countries of the South in the globalization process. At the meeting, the two scholars expressed their admiration of Vietnam’s renewal achievements while telling Sang that their discussions at the seminar were focussed on the impact of the world economic order and globalization for development and economic sovereignty of countries of the South. They also shared experience and lessons learnt from the economic development of countries of the South especially ASEAN and Latin American countries as well as talking about Vietnam's development in the international integration process. President Sang exchanged views with the scholars on the trend of development cooperation, particularly in the current context of globalization. “In the fast-changing world, countries should exercise self-control for development which is seen as an important trend. Despite sharing ideologies, all nations have their own paths for development and existence. In addition, they tend to cooperate in organizations or groups of countries for mutual benefit.” President Sang said. He also stressed the need to conduct thorough research and exchange in the development process for common development of each country, each region and the wider world. NA Vice Chairwoman receives Timor Leste delegation Vietnam will trade in rice with Timor Leste to ensure food security, said Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in a Hanoi meeting on August 13 with Deputy Chairman of the Timor Leste National Parliament Adriano do Nascimento. Adriano do Nascimento who is leading a delegation of its Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Justice, Public Administration, Local Power and Anti-Corruption said Timor Leste has always welcomed Vietnamese investors, adding that his visit is to learn about Vietnam’s experience in drafting law on land and discuss joint work at parliamentary forums, regionally and globally. Ngan expressed hope for stronger bilateral friendship and all-round cooperation in legislation, exchange of high-level visits and professional experience. The same day, Deputy Chairman of the NA’s Economic Commission Mai Xuan Hung held a working session with President of the Committee on Constitutional Affairs, Justice, Public Administration, Local Power and Anti-Corruption Carmelita Caetano Moniz. Both sides shared their experience in land management and use, urban management and land law building. PM urges fresh efforts to facilitate projects in Ha Noi Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked relevant ministries and agencies along with authorities in Ha Noi to seek every possible way to remove difficulties for projects at the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park and the Viet Nam National University in Ha Noi. At a working session held yesterday, the Government leader said the construction of several hi-tech areas would serve the application and development of science and technology in efforts to improve productivity and national competitiveness. He said the slow progress of the two projects was partly due to inappropriate allocation of investment resources, adding that the general scale of the two projects would be maintained while detailed planning should be revised to maximise the efficiency of investment and prevent wastefulness. Pinpointing site clearance and relocation of residents from the site as the biggest problem, Dung asked Deputy PM Vu Duc Dam to hold a meeting with the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Planning and Investment this month to review and allocate capital and complete the work as soon as possible. Approved in 1998, the Hoa Lac Hi-Tech Park covers nearly 1,590ha. It has so far attracted 70 projects with total investment of more than VND56 trillion (US$2.67 billion). However, only 70 per cent of the park has been cleared for construction. The nearby Viet Nam National University project is also facing the same problem, with an additional VND7 trillion ($33 million) needed to complete site clearance for both projects. President Sang calls for resources to support poor people nationwide President Truong Tan Sang has called on the Viet Nam Red Cross to rally financial sources and staff to help vulnerable groups in the country. Addressing the Viet Nam Red Cross Partnership meeting yesterday, Sang praised the non-government organisation's efforts from the past three years, highlighting its support of other international organisations and donors to help those living with disadvantage. "Participants should focus discussion on proposing measures to mobilise more funds from the community and improve the effectiveness of humanitarian programmes," stressed Sang. Chairman of the Viet Nam Red Cross (VNRC) Nguyen Hai Duong said that support of the organisation's partners had helped millions overcoming difficulties and made an important contribution to the country's fight against hunger and poverty. The event also provided a chance for local and international partners to review their activities and expand co-operation in accordance with the Red Cross's priorities, said Duong. Duong added that the sector would focus activities on key priorities, including social and humanitarian activities; a cow-bank programme in poor districts and border communes; and community-based healthcare programmes. Asia Pacific Director of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies Jagan Chapagain said the number of people in need of humanitarian assistance in the country would increase due to the impacts of climate change and natural disasters, urbanization, disease epidemics and traffic accidents. "Providing these marginalised groups with the support needed – by drawing on Viet Nam's traditional values of caring for the most vulnerable – will enable them to better participate in the country's wider economic growth," said Chapagain. "This is one of the key challenges facing Viet Nam Red Cross as it adapts, not only to the new economic reality of this decade and beyond, but also to the increasing vulnerability to natural disasters brought about by climate change," stressed Chapagain. At the event, international partners committed a total of VND233 billion (US$11 million) to support the VNRC's implementation of 25 humanitarian initiatives in future. Eleven local and international organisations and individuals also donated nearly VND12 billion ($570,000) to the VNRC's fund. Statistics from the VNRC show that the organisation has disbursed nearly VND360 billion ($17 million) to its humanitarian programmes in the country in the past three years. CPV, Hungarian political parties agree to foster ties The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) wants to foster cooperation with the ruling Christian Democratic People’s Party of Hungary (FIDESZ) and the Socialist Party of Hungary (MSPZ), Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and head of its Commission for Mass Mobilisation Ha Thi Khiet has said. She made the statement at working sessions with FIDESZ and MSPZ leaders during her visit to Hungary from August 11-13. Vietnam places importance to the development of ties with political and ruling parties while keeping in touch with communist, worker and left-wing parties around the world, considering it as a key political foundation to strengthen ties between the States, Khiet said. Khiet thanked Hungary for providing official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam , expressing hope that it will continue support to Vietnam in the coming time. About the East Sea issue, she made it clear that Vietnam has been and will steadfastly safeguard its sovereignty and territorial integrity by peaceful means in line with international law. She called on Hungarian political parties to support Vietnam ’s legitimate stance. Head of the Hungarian Parliament’s Committee on Foreign Affairs Nemeth Zsolt, for his part, told Khiet that the Hungarian government would kick-start a new scholarship initiative for Vietnamese students taking Hungarian language studies. He also vowed to continue ODA projects in Vietnam and back bilateral negotiations towards the early signing of the Vietnam – EU free trade agreement. Meanwhile, Vice President of the MSZP Central Committee Gogos Zoltan stressed the need to further reinforce relations between the two parties. He noted hope that with the Hungarian President’s visit to Vietnam slated for this November will open up more room for bilateral economic development. He said MSZP hopes the East Sea dispute will be resolved by peaceful means and will help Vietnam in its capacity. During her stay, Khiet also met Vietnamese community in Hungary. Self-reliance of southern countries in globalisation on spotlight The self-reliance of southern countries in the globalised world is the main focus of an international seminar co-organised by the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation (VPDF) and the South-South People’s Solidarity Network (SSPSN) in Hanoi. Speaking at the opening ceremony on August 13, VPDF President Nguyen Thi Binh, who is former Vice State President, said that the event aims to identify both challenges and opportunities southern countries are facing in the context of globalisation and rapid changes of today’s international situation. Nadja Charaby, Director of the Rosa Luxembourg Stiftung Vietnam, highlighted challenges the southern countries need to overcome as well as ways to strengthen solidarity among them and maintain connectivity between northern and southern nations. Domestic and international delegates are expected to propose measures for the countries to safeguard their independence and self-reliance, and ensure sustainable development, thus contributing to building a better and more equal world. During the two-day seminar, scientists and scholars from Southeast Asian, Asian, Latin American and European also focus discussions on the impact of the world economic order and globalisation on southern countries’ economic development and sovereignty, and practical lessons about development in several nations. SSPSN is a network for progressive social organisations and movements in Africa, Asia, Caribbean and Latin America, struggling for a people-centered world of peace, security, equality and sustainable development.- Vietnam, Laos exchange AIPA organisation experience Officials from the National Assemblies of Vietnam and Laos exchanged experience in organising a General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) during their meeting in Vientiane, Laos on August 12. Vice Chairman of the Vietnam NA’s External Relations Committee Nguyen Manh Tien shared with Laos its wide-ranging knowledge in holding an AIPA General Assembly, from preparing an agenda to dealing with protocol and logistic issues. Tien said he hopes that Laos will host the upcoming 35th AIPA General Assembly successfully. Vice Chairman of the Lao NA Saysomphon Phomvihan spoke highly of Vietnam’s precious experience, expressing his belief that it will help Laos make AIPA-35 a great success. AIPA was formed at the initiative of Indonesia to contribute to the attainment of the goals and aspirations of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) through the inter-parliamentary cooperation. The 34th General Assembly of AIPA was hosted by Brunei in 2013. Source: VNA/VOV/VNN