Government News 4/12 Russian State Duma leader wraps up Vietnam visit Chairman of the State Duma of the Federal Assembly of Russia Sergey Evgenievich Naryshkin left Hanoi on December 3, concluding his two-day official visit to Vietnam. During his visit, the Russian State Duma Chairman held talks with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and met with Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The leaders agreed to collaborate for peace and development in the world as well as further promote the parliamentarian ties and the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two countries. Chairman Naryshkin confirmed that Russia appreciated its cooperation with Vietnam in all fields from politics, foreign affairs and economics to oil and gas, atomic energy, and military techniques. As head of the Russian association of history, Naryskin also signed a Memorandum of Understanding on bilateral cooperation in science with the Vietnam Association of History. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung invited Naryshkin and Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia Valentina Ivanovna Matviyenko to attend the 132nd IPU General Assembly in Hanoi in March 2015. PM spearheads ASEAN green energy agenda The PM is taking important steps to cut carbon pollution and other greenhouse gases in Vietnam and throughout ASEAN. He recently asked relevant agencies and localities to thoroughly prepare for two upcoming green energy events to be hosted by Vietnam next year – the 13th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting on the Environment (AMME), the 14th AMME + 3, and the 5th East Asia Summit Environment Ministers’ Meeting (EAS EMM). He has also announced a conference will be held in 2015 to review the status of an ASEAN Agreement on Transboundary Haze Pollution under framework of the AMME 13. The AMME is convened every three years by ASEAN member countries to review the implementation of environment cooperation agreements in the region and propose new measures to encourage cooperation in the coming time. PM bids farewell to Russian ambassador Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung bid farewell to outgoing Russian Ambassador Andrei Kovtun at a reception in Hanoi on December 3, expressing hope that the diplomat, in any position he undertakes in the future, will do his constructive part for the sake of both nations. Vietnam is steadfast in deepening ties with Russia, the PM reiterated after praising the bilateral traditional friendship that has been lifted to the comprehensive strategic partnership level. The ambassador, for his part, pledged to do his utmost to foster bilateral relations between the two countries. He also asked for more efforts to facilitate visits at all levels and conclude negotiations on a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the Customs Union of Russia-Belarus and Kazakhstan in early 2015. The successful launch of joint projects across oil and gas and nuclear energy will open up new chances of cooperation across the board, he assured. Deputy PM greets new UK and Northern Ireland ambassador Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh suggested facilitating visits at all levels while greeting new Ambassador of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland Giles Lever in Hanoi on December 3. The move is to deepen bilateral ties in the coming time, Minh said, adding that more assistance should be given to business communities while a project on Vietnam – UK university in the central city of Da Nang be stepped up. About multilateral coordination, the host asked the UK Government to strengthen the Vietnam – EU collaboration in general and the Vietnam – UK ties within the framework of the Asia-Europe Meeting and the United Nations. The ambassador made it clear that the UK attaches importance to intensifying the strategic partnership with Vietnam, especially in politics-diplomacy, economics-trade-investment, education-training, among others. He informed the host that the UK backs the acceleration of negotiations for the early signing of the Vietnam – EU free trade agreement, and vowed to do his best for the sake of both nations during his tenure in Vietnam. President eases concern over socio-economic issues President Truong Tan Sang met constituents in Ho Chi Minh City’s districts 1 and 3, easing their concern over a number of socio-economic issues. He admitted that there remains graft practices, especially wrongdoings in asset declaration made by officials, and asked each constituent to alert negative phenomena to relevant authorities. The President agreed with a proposal to make necessary changes to State supervision regulations after mentioning a halt to the construction of a resort in the central province of Thua Thien-Hue , which sparked public outcry over its defence-sensitive position. About shortcomings in judicial activities, he said the law stipulates the responsibility of each judicial official and prosecution unit, and reforms are underway so as to ensure legitimate interest of each individual. Touching on scientific innovations, he urged mechanical engineering sector to fix its weaknesses and catch up with the region and the world. Cooperatives form a key part of the State economy, but still need an injection of revitalisation and reorganisation to match their potential, he said. As the ASEAN economic community - a common market for region-wide business players is to take shape in late 2015, the leader urged the whole nation to focus efforts on integration into the community. Understanding their worry over public and bad debts, he assured them that the last knot to be untangled is to resell collaterals to credit organisations. In order to create a business-friendly environment and improve workforce quality, continued focus will be given on restructuring the economy, with moving from broad economic development to in-depth economic development. Earlier, constituents spoke highly of the outcomes of the National Assembly’s eighth session. Several opinions suggested overhauling the procedures for selecting and electing candidates for NA deputies and increasing the number of full-time deputies. They also asked for drastic efforts to reduce the budget deficit and raise production productivity. Activities mark founding of the People’s Army Maintaining and intensifying the Party’s absolute and direct leadership over the army is an immutable principle in building the force, Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh has stated. The minister made the remark at a December 2 workshop on the Vietnamese army in the northern mountainous province of Cao Bang where late President Ho Chi Minh founded the Vietnam People’s Army on December 22, 70 years ago. Participants — generals, veterans, professors and witnesses to historic events — recalled the history of the army’s glorious victories, and made proposals to build a stronger force that can stand firm in any circumstance. To mark the 70th founding anniversary of the Vietnam People’s Army and the 25th All People’s Defence Day (December 22), 70 military and police officers who made significant achievements and excelled in learning and following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example, will be praised at a programme on December 7. The General Politics Department launched an art competition, tied to the two anniversaries, three months ago and received over 3.7 million entries. Outstanding works will be honoured at an art programme on December 9 in Cao Bang. More than 500 military officers, young volunteers and witnesses of historic events will take part in a programme from December 8-10, starting in Hanoi and passing through historic sites related to the foundation of the army in the northeastern province. As part of the programme, underprivileged locals will be provided with free eye surgery and treatment, while new houses will be presented to policy beneficiaries and young officers. Deputy PM says goodbye to Russian Ambassador Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh has spoke highly of the contributions Russian Ambassador Andrey Kovtun has made to consolidating and intensifying bilateral ties during his five-year working term in Vietnam. Receiving the outgoing diplomat in Hanoi on December 3, the host said that during 2009-2014, the two countries’ collaboration has seen positive progress with political ties enhanced and delegation exchanges and meetings held regularly. Bilateral economic relation has grown continuously, with two-way trade rising from 1.8 billion USD in 2009 to nearly 4 billion in 2013. Cooperation on energy, defence-security, science-technology, education, culture and tourism has been also promoted, he added. The Deputy PM affirmed that Vietnam considers Russia a priority in its foreign policy, expressing hope that bilateral affiliation will contribute more to each country’s development. The ambassador, in turn, thanked the Vietnamese Government, Foreign Ministry, agencies and localities for helping him during his tenure. With deep understanding about Vietnam’s land and people, the diplomat promised to continue his efforts to develop the Vietnam-Russia comprehensive strategic partnership in the time ahead. VNA/VNS/ND/VNN