Government News 31/3 Swedish Speaker begins Vietnam visit Swedish Parliament Speaker Urban Ahlin begins his official five-day visit to Vietnam on March 31 alongside Sweden’s participation in the ongoing IPU-132. During his visit, Ahlin will meet with high-ranking Vietnamese officials to discuss ways to promote bilateral ties via increased parliamentary exchanges and cooperation in economics, trade and higher education. The Swedish Speaker will hold talks with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and pay a courtesy call on Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. He will also have separate meetings with Minister of Health Nguyen Thi Kim Tien and Minister of Transport Dinh La Thang. Vietnam, DPRK officials discuss to boost cooperation Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son hosted a reception for Choe Jin-su, Chairman of the Democratic Front for the Reunification of Korea, on March 30. The Chairman is in Hanoi to attend the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. As a traditional friend of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), Vietnam shares the delight of the DPRK’s achievements during its nation-building and development process, Son said. Vietnam intends to consolidate and strengthen the two countries’ time-honoured friendship for the benefit of their peoples and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region, he stated. The host also suggested both sides maintain visits and meetings between Party, State and Parliament offices, and added that Vietnam wants to boost its economic ties with the DPRK through market economy principles. The guest recalled the traditional friendship between the two countries, which was initiated and nurtured by the late Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kim Il Sung and then promoted through generations of leaders. He expressed his desire to speed up experience sharing in nation-building and development. The same day, President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan received Chairman Choe Jin-su, who affirmed the DPRK’s treasuring friendship and cooperation with the Vietnam Fatherland Front. Laos pledges to enhance partnership with Vietnam Laos will work with Vietnam to maintain and nurture the two countries’ special solidarity, stated Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou. The NA leader, who is in Hanoi to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132), was received by Vietnam’s Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung at separate meetings on March 30. During the meetings, she congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in its nation-building and development process, saying they offer valuable experience and examples for Laos. Speaking of Vietnam’s preparations for the IPU-132, she believed the event would be a success and contribute to raising Vietnam’s reputation and role in the international arena. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Party leader expressed his delight that the Vietnam-Laos relations are developing intensively and extensively, contributing importantly to the reform cause and the nation-building and safeguarding process in each country as well as to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world. He suggested the two NAs expand coordination in exchanging information and experience in legislative affairs and signed agreement supervisions, and continue supporting one another at international forums, particularly at regional and world inter-parliamentary forums. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung extended his best wishes to the Lao people on the occasion of the 60 th founding anniversary of the Lao Revolutionary People’s Party and the upcoming traditional Bunpimay (New Year) festival. He shared that the two Governments have pledged to exert additional efforts to carry out the agreements signed by senior leaders and boost bilateral cooperation in all fields. He asked the Lao NA to back the enhancement of cooperation in economics, trade and investment as well as supporting Vietnamese enterprises to operate in Laos. NA chairman Hung seeks deepened cooperation with Algeria Vietnam and Algeria should boost cooperation and exchanges to enrich their understanding and mutual trust, laying the foundation for a practical, extensive and effective relationship, said Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. He made the statement during a meeting on March 30 with Mohammed Larbi Ould Khelifa, Chairman of the Algerian People’s National Assembly, who is in Hanoi to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) Assembly, running through April 1. Speaking highly of the strong progress in their friendship and traditional cooperation, chairman Hung suggested the two countries conduct additional high-ranking delegation exchanges and complete a legal framework for comprehensive cooperation in politics, trade, investment and labour. The guest said in the eyes of Algerians, Vietnam is heroic for its struggle for independence, setting an example for other countries in the world in liberation movements and defending its sovereignty. He affirmed that the Algerian People’s National Assembly and Algeria continually support and look to deepen cooperation with Vietnam to benefit the two countries’ peoples and contribute to peace and prosperity in the world. While lauding Vietnam’s social-economic achievements in recent decades, he pointed to room for Vietnam and Algeria to expand their cooperation. He urged the expeditious signing of a cooperation agreement between the two countries’ NAs to step up exchanges, share experience in legislation and enhance understanding between the two countries’ parliaments. He took the occasion to invite chairman Hung to visit Algeria.- Party leader receives Cambodian People’s Party delegation Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on March 30 hosted a reception for Men Sam An, member of the Standing Committee of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Central Committee, during her working visit to Vietnam. The host stressed that Vietnam attaches importance and gives priority to consolidating and expanding the comprehensive cooperation with the CPP and Cambodia. He suggested the two sides work closer in exchanging information and raising awareness, especially among the youth, of the special ties between the two Parties, States and people. General Secretary Trong thanked the CPP and Cambodian people for their valuable support to Vietnam over the years and wished the Cambodian people a happy New Year in honour of their upcoming traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay . For her part, Men Sam An, who is also Cambodian Deputy Prime Minister, highlighted the effective cooperation between the CPP and the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) as well as the two countries in recent time, affirming that the CPP, the Cambodian State and people will do their utmost to nurture and strengthen the bilateral relations. The Cambodian guest pledged her country will continue to partner with Vietnam to effectively implement cooperation agreements. She also congratulated Vietnam on achievements in its national renewal and construction process, expressing her belief that the country will accelerate its renewal process and reap success in the future under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam. The same day, Men Sam An met with Ngo Van Du, Politburo member, Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission. The two sides discussed plans and measures to promote cooperation between the CPV and the CPP as well as the two nations. A cooperation agreement between the two parties was signed during the talks. Ceremony marks 30 years of Meeting of Women Parliamentarians The 30th anniversary of the Meeting of Women Parliamentarians and the 20 th anniversary of the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action was marked at a ceremony in Hanoi on March 30. The Meeting, an activity held before the opening the Assemblies of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU) since 1986, is a forum for female parliamentarians to exchange information, experiences, and viewpoints on issues of shared interest. The increased participation of female parliamentarians has been seen at the IPU Assemblies, from 10 percent of attendees in the first years to more than 30 percent as of late. More gender-related matters have also been included in the working agenda and attracted greater attention from delegates, said Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, who is Chairperson of the 21 st Meeting of Women Parliamentarians at the ongoing 132 nd IPU Assembly. At the 21 st Meeting on March 28, participants reviewed the 20-year implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action while renewing commitments to a world of peace, equality, and development, she noted. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said Vietnam has continually strived to ensure gender equality and women empowerment, adding that the country has institutionalised the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action in its legal system and set up a group of female National Assembly deputies in 2008. Vietnam pledges support to and responsible participation in the Meeting’s activities, he noted, asking the IPU, its member parliaments, and parliamentarians to support this mechanism, enhance women’s presence in parliaments and IPU activities, and further include gender issues in parliaments’ agenda. Highlighting Vietnam’s progress in promoting gender equality, Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan said the country has one of the highest numbers of women parliamentarians among Asian nations. It also has the second largest number of female CEOs in ASEAN and 48 percent of the labour force is women. The country has designed and enforced an array of related legal documents and national programmes and strategies such as the Law on Gender Equality, the Law on Domestic Violence Prevention and Control, the National Programme on Gender Equality for 2011-2015, and the National Strategy on Gender Equality for 2011-2020, she added. She expressed her hope that during their meeting in New York City this September, world leaders will reiterate additional actions to promote the implementation of the Beijing Declaration and Platform for Action to remove barriers to women empowerment and gender equality. NA Chairman meets Pakistani, Moroccan legislators National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung hosted separate receptions for Speaker of the National Assembly of Pakistan Murtaza Javed Abbasi and President of the House of Councillors of Morocco Mohamed Cheik Biadillah in Hanoi on March 30, who are in Vietnam for the ongoing 132 nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly. They agreed that both sides should facilitate all-level visits and people-to-people exchange to increase mutual understanding. Murtaza Javed Abbasi said the IPU-132 is a fundamental step forward to boost cooperation among legislatures, including ties between Pakistan and Vietnam. NA Chairman Hung, for his part, reiterated Vietnam’s foreign policy of self-reliance and preparedness to make friends with countries for the sake of cooperation and mutual development. He also took the occasion to request Pakistan’s support for the pending Hanoi Declaration, which is expected to be issued at the end of the IPU. Meeting Mohamed Cheik Biadillah, the host valued the upcoming signing of trade promotion deals between the two countries, saying they lay a solid foundation for the expansion of mutually-beneficial bilateral ties that meet expectations. Maintaining the presence of untapped potential in their bilateral cooperation, Mohamed Cheik Biadillah said Morocco has advantages in trade and international maritime transport, presenting promising opportunities for Vietnamese investors. Vietnamese leaders meet with Hungarian guests President Truong Tan Sang met with Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Semjen Zsolt and Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of Hungary Latorcal Janos on March 30, both of whom are in Hanoi to attend the 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU-132). President Truong Tan Sang highlighted the Hungarian delegation’s participation in the IPU-132 as an important contribution to the event’s success as well as the development of the two countries’ ties. Vietnam do its utmost to intensify the nexus between Hungary and ASEAN members, President Sang said, expressing his gratitude for Hungary’s support to Vietnam in the past and at the present. For his part, Deputy Prime Minister Semjen Zsolt pledged Hungary’s backing of Vietnam’s market economy and assistance in free trade agreement negotiations with the EU. He described Vietnam as Hungary’s strategic partner in Asia while expressing his pleasure at numerous projects implemented in Vietnam, such as in water treatment and health care. On the same day, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai held a reception for the Hungarian delegation. He voiced his delight at the development of bilateral ties across multifaceted sectors while urging the two sides to leverage their strengths and potential to further cooperation. Meanwhile, his counterpart Semjen Zsolt pinned his hope on closer ties with Vietnam in diplomacy, economics and culture.- Vietnam, RoK forge bilateral legal engagement Vietnamese Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong is on a working visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) to strengthen judicial affiliation between the two nations. The minister is scheduled to meet with his Korean counterpart to ink an agreement between the two agencies. He is also scheduled to hold talks with the host country’s legislative minister and take part in a signing ceremony for relevant 2015-2016 cooperation programmes. Minister Cuong will be received by the RoK’s National Assembly Chairman and visit a number of locations in Seoul, such as the Supreme Court, the Judicial Research and Training Institute, the headquarters of the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Vietnam Embassy. The visit began on March 29. Vietnam and the RoK have upgraded their bilateral relations twice to a comprehensive cooperation partnership in 2001 and a strategic cooperation partnership in 2009.     Vietnam treasures relations with Hungary Vietnam treasures and looks to expand its relations with Hungary, said Vice Chairman of National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on March 30 during a reception for Hungarian Deputy Prime Minister Semjen Zsolt and Vice Speaker of Hungary’s NA Latorcai Janos, both of whom are in Hanoi to attend the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) . Vietnam and Hungary maintain a strong relationship, she noted, stressing that Vietnam regards Hungary as a friend and traditional partner and is willing to facilitate Hungarian investors and businesses to operate in the country. Ngan recalled that thousands of Vietnamese workers and engineers have studied in Hungary in the past, many of whom currently hold key positions in the Government. Vietnam’s NA delegations have visited Hungary to exchange experience in topics of mutual interests to increase mutual understanding and strengthen the bilateral ties, she added. She voiced her hope that such events will further develop cooperation between the two legislative bodies. For his part, the Hungarian NA Vice Speaker suggested the two sides deepen collaboration in trade, science and technology, diplomacy and culture. President receives Speaker of Indonesian House of Representatives Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang met with Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Setya Novanto in Hanoi on March 30, urging the two countries to effectively carry out reached agreements, especially economic pacts, to bolster their strategic partnership. The State leader noted relations between Vietnam and Indonesia, which share a time-honoured friendship and historical and cultural similarities, are flourishing across sectors. Valuing Indonesia’s status in the region and the world, President Truong Tan Sang said he hopes the country will continue working towards the common interest of the ASEAN community as well as regional peace, stability, and development. Vietnam is willing to join Indonesia in promoting negotiations for sea demarcation, he noted, adding that the countries’ legislatures and peoples should reinforce cooperation to contribute to the formation of the ASEAN Community. Speaker Setya Novanto, who is in Vietnam to attend the 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union, said the nations will celebrate the 60 th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2015, presenting an opportunity for them to step up collaboration, especially maritime connections under Indonesia’s Maritime Axis initiative which aims to link ports and oceans. They should speed up negotiations to soon demarcate exclusive economic zones to benefit their fishermen, he said, expressing his hope that the countries would coordinate further at multilateral forums. On this occasion, Setya Novanto delivered Indonesian President Joko Widodo’s invitation to visit the country to President Truong Tan Sang. Vietnam attends 10th APEC TELMIN in Malaysia The 10th APEC Telecommunications and Information Ministerial Meeting (10th APEC TELMIN) opened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on March 30. Present at the two-day event were over 200 delegates from the Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) field from 19 of the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC). Vietnam’s delegation was led by Deputy Minister of Information and Communications Pham Hong Hai. Themed “ICTs: Investing for Future Growth”, the meeting will discuss the Draft Strategic Plan which addresses capturing the substantial economic and social benefits associated with smart use of ICT over the next five years in order to facilitate cooperation in trade and investment and increase ICT adoption in the move towards a digital economy. Delegates also discussed ways to build a stronger ICT structure by focusing on improving internet and information access to create more opportunities for new social services and secure a reliable and low-cost digital economy. According to the APEC Secretariat, ICT service trade in the APEC region increased 2.5 times from 2002 to 2011. Vietnam, Sudan legislatures reinforce ties National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung proposed the Vietnamese and Sudanese legislative bodies increase delegation exchanges and cooperation at regional and global forums while receiving Speaker of the Sudan National Assembly Al Fatih Izzeldin Al Mansour in Hanoi on March 30. Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung welcomed the Speaker to Vietnam to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132) – taking place as the implementation of the UN Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) concludes and in the midst of preparations for a post-2015 development agenda. Amid this formative era, the final document of the IPU-132 in Hanoi carries a significant meaning, Hung noted, calling on Sudan lawmakers to back the issuance of the IPU-132 statement. He added that Vietnam and Sudan share a number of historical similarities. Since the two countries established their diplomatic ties in 1969, the bilateral friendship has been nurtured by generations of leaders, laying a strong foundation for expanded cooperation in the future. He recommended the two sides enhance coordination in trade, agriculture, seafood, oil and gas, telecommunication and investment on a par with their respective potential. The top legislator also urged the two countries’ parliaments to intensify supervision of the implementation of agreements signed between the two governments, ministries and sectors. For his part, the Sudan Speaker lauded Vietnam ’s careful preparations for the IPU-132 Assembly, which, he said, demonstrates the capacity and potential of the host and the good will of Vietnamese people. He thanked Vietnam for supporting his country in its national liberation. He agreed with Chairman Hung on promoting the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, especially in agriculture and oil and gas. He also expressed his hope that the two countries’ parliaments will move towards the signing of a bilateral cooperation agreement in sharing experience in law-making and raising understanding among parliamentarians. After the reception, the two top legislators witnessed the signing of a visa waiver agreement for holders of diplomatic/service and special passports.- NA Chairman affirms desire to boost ties with Indonesia The National Assembly (NA) and people of Vietnam always hope to foster the strategic partnership with Indonesia in a bid for peace and prosperity in the region and the world, stated NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. The NA leader made the remarks during a meeting on March 30 with Speaker of the Indonesian Parliament’s House of Representatives Setya Novanto, who is attending the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) in Hanoi. Hung said he hopes Vietnam and Indonesia will work more closely in fisheries and preserving maritime security, while strengthening coordination at regional and international forums. Lauding the Indonesian delegation’s participation at the ongoing IPU-132, he expressed his belief that their efforts have contributed to the success of the event, while strengthening mutual understanding between the two nations and peoples. On his part, Setya Novanto congratulated Vietnam on successfully organising the IPU-132 so far. He said he hopes a Hanoi Declaration will be issued at the end of the event, which would be an imprint of Vietnam on the international stage. He agreed with his host’s proposal to further increase the bilateral strategic partnership, particularly on maritime issues, as well as traditional friendship between the two nations. Indonesia, with its large population, is also a big market and a promising destination for investment, he stressed. He suggested that both countries coordinate closely for the common target of forming an ASEAN Community in 2015. Deutsche Welle highlights Vietnam, Germany cooperation German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW) run a story entitled “Forty years of German-Vietnamese ties” on its website on March 27, highlighting the two countries’ cooperation outcomes and prospects of bilateral relations. Author Rodion Ebbighause wrote that t he two nations are celebrating the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties with a series of events, including exhibitions and concerts, to be held. The story cited Rabea Brauer of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation in Hanoi as saying that the two countries have a lot in common: Both were divided and were on the front lines during the Cold War. The shared experience of division and reunification still serves as a bridge between Germany and Vietnam. Gerhard Will, a Vietnam expert at the German Institute of International and Security Affairs in Berlin, said Berlin became Hanoi's main trading partner in the EU and Vietnam is a 'priority country' of German development cooperation. The expert also believes that "it is in Germany's interest to have a partner in the region with whom Berlin could work together economically and politically." The story noted the signing of the Hanoi Declaration in 2011 to establish the countries’ strategic partnership by their leaders who expressed the desire to continue economic partnership and cooperate in the areas of development policy, environment, education and science. It said the German-Vietnamese University in Ho Chi Minh City, founded in 2008, is considered a model project in terms of bilateral cooperation. Also on March 27, the DW website posted an interview granted by German Ambassador to Vietnam Jutta Frasch, who described the Southeast Asian country as an important partner of Germany. She said bilateral ties have been strengthened over the last five years across economics, politics, and culture. About 300 German companies are running business in Vietnam with a total investment of 170 million EUR, which demonstrates the rapid development in their economic cooperation.- Vietnam prioritises relations with Laos: Chairman Vietnam continually gives priority to enhancing its traditional friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung told his Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou during their talks in Hanoi on March 30. The Vietnamese official welcomed the Lao delegation’s official visit and attendance at the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-parliamentary Union (IPU-132) as a demonstration of the special relations between the two countries. He sent his best wishes to the Lao Party, State, and National Assembly leaders and people on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (March 22, 1955) and the traditional New Year festival Boun Pi Mai in April. The Chairman stressed that the regular exchange of high-ranking delegations from the countries’ Parties, States and National Assemblies contributes to consolidating their solidarity and special relations. Hailing Laos’s socio-economic achievements, he congratulated the country on its successful organisation of the 35th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly which helped raise its regional and global standing. For her part, Chairwoman Pany Yathotou spoke highly of Vietnam’s preparations for the IPU-132, likewise helping improve the country’s role and reputation in the world. She lauded Vietnam’s impressive socio-economic achievements as valuable experience for the Lao Party, State and people in their national development. At the talks, the leaders briefed each other on their respective countries’ development progress and external relations while voicing mutual delight at the expansion of bilateral ties. They agreed to foster joint programmes and projects in economics, culture, science, and technology; intensify cooperation between the two sides’ localities; and tap into their land and natural and human resource potential. The two leaders highlighted the active implementation of their cooperative agreements, adding that they hope the two legislative bodies will continue coordinating in supervising the realisation of deals reached between the States. VNA