Government News 19/7 Prime Minister receives Malaysian official   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) receives Dato Sri Idris Jala, Chief Executive Officer of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit of Malaysia on July 18   Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received Dato Sri Idris Jala, Chief Executive Officer of the Performance Management and Delivery Unit (PEMANDU) of Malaysia, in Hanoi on July 18. At the reception, the Government leader welcomed the Malaysian official’s visit and valued the outcomes of his talks with Minister-Chairman of the Government Office Mai Tien Dung. Stressing the two countries’ close relations in ASEAN, PM Phuc said Malaysia is one of the major investors in Vietnam and boasts much experience in improving the investment and business climate.  Dato Sri Idris Jala spoke highly of the PM’s speech at the freshly held Vietnam ICT Summit 2018, suggesting the Vietnamese side organise several international symposiums to acquire international experience, thus creating positive changes in reform and innovation. He expressed his hope to continue his contributions in order to witness Vietnam’s breakthrough developments in the future. PM Phuc affirmed that he will consult relevant ministries and agencies on the organization of symposiums on reform and innovation as mentioned by the Malaysian official.  He appreciated experience of international organisations and countries, including Malaysia, in institutional reform. According to him, the most important thing is to act quickly to gain high efficiency in the fourth Industrial Revolution.- HCM City, JICA to meet quarterly to speed up projects   The meeting between leaders of HCM City and JICA Vietnam on July 18  Leaders of Ho Chi Minh City and relevant agencies have agreed to meet representatives of the Japan International Cooperation Agency’s (JICA) Vietnam Office every quarter to promote projects funded through Japanese official development assistance (ODA). This was reached by Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Nguyen Thanh Phong at a meeting with Chief Representative of the JICA Vietnam Office Tetsuo Konaka on July 18. Phong expressed his appreciation for JICA’s assistance in projects aimed at improving local infrastructure and people’s living standards, and asked it to continue supporting the city through development projects funded through Japanese ODA. Voicing concern about the progress of some ODA-funded projects – such as the metro line no. 1 (Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien) and the second phase of a water environment improvement project – he stressed that municipal authorities must pay attention to these projects and that he will inform JICA immediately when the National Assembly agrees to adjust the total investment capital for the projects, so that both sides can continue working together to ensure their progress. The official noted that HCM City considers the metro line no. 1 critical to the development of the local public transport system, so in case of any problems with the disbursement of corresponding capital from the central budget, the city will advance the funding for project implementation. It will also coordinate closely with JICA to prepare necessary procedures for other projects, he added. For his part, Tetsuo Konaka thanked HCM City for working closely with JICA and asked the two sides to enhance coordination to solve obstacles to their projects. He spoke highly of the financial advances provided from local budget for the metro line no. 1 project, pending the provision of corresponding capital from the central budget. He also called for further cooperation to finalise technical procedures to be submitted to the Vietnamese Government in order to prepare for the signing of agreements on the continuation of some projects funded through Japanese ODA in HCM City. PM looks to maintain high-level visits between Vietnam, Laos    Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Sengnuon Saynhalat (Source: VNA) Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc underscored the importance of maintaining regular high-level visits to strengthen bilateral ties during a reception in Hanoi on July 18 for Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Sengnuon Saynhalat.  The PM expressed his delight at the close and effective ties between the two legislatures, especially in performing law-making and supervisory roles, as well as external relations at regional and global parliamentary forums.  He hoped that the two legislatures will support each other’s changes in mechanisms, policies, and laws to continue fostering political, diplomatic, national defence, and security ties.  Both sides were urged to effectively carry out agreements between the two Parties and States, improve the efficiency of trade and investment cooperation, create favourable conditions for Vietnam’s projects in Laos; and ensure the ongoing progress and quality of projects.  The two countries should step up economic connectivity, especially in transport and energy; improve education and training cooperation quality; and raise public awareness of the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, especially among young generations, he said.  Describing the new Lao NA House as an especially important project, the PM said Vietnam has issued special mechanisms and sped up its construction. He believed that with joint efforts, the work can be completed as scheduled and become a symbol of bilateral ties.  Saynhalat, for his part, said his visit aims to reinforce ties between the two Parties, States, and legislatures, adding that the delegation has acquired Vietnam’s experience in coordinating with parliaments worldwide.  The Vietnamese NA, and People’s Councils of various Vietnamese cities and provinces have offered practical support to Laos in diverse areas in the past years, he said.  He thanked the Vietnamese Party, State, Government, and NA for building the Lao NA House as a gift.  The guest pledged that although the world situation changes, the Lao Party, State, and people will always stand side by side with their Vietnamese counterparts, and wished that later generations would also continue to uphold these relations. Second ASEAN-India workshop on blue economy held   Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh at the event  The second ASEAN-India Workshop on Blue Economy took place in New Delhi on July 18, attracting over 60 delegates, including government officials, scholars, and researchers from ASEAN and India. As co-chairperson of the event, Vietnamese Ambassador to India Ton Sinh Thanh underscored the importance of blue economy in regional and global development, affirming that Vietnam and ASEAN member states consider maritime cooperation as one of the prioritised cooperation fields with India. Building on the success of the first workshop of its kind held in Vietnam’s Nha Trang city in November 2017, he urged delegates to raise specific proposals to foster blue economy cooperation within the ASEAN-India strategic partnership framework, as well as strengthen regional maritime connectivity. The diplomat expressed his hope that negotiations on the ASEAN-India maritime transport agreement would soon be concluded to ensure maritime security and safety, thus creating an environment conducive to sustainable development. Secretary (East) of India’s Ministry of External Affairs Preeti Saran affirmed that India appreciates its long-standing maritime link with ASEAN member states, adding that India will earmark 190 billion USD to boost connectivity between its seaports and 27 new economic development areas in the next decade. She invited ASEAN countries to consider joining the project, initially focusing on coastal special economic zones, investment consultation, maritime transportation, and tourism. Vu Thanh Ca from the Hanoi University of Natural Resources and Environment said Vietnam has taken actions to step up its blue economy such as strengthening coastal management, mitigating illegal fishing, improving lives of fishermen via job creation, poverty reduction, and ensuring social equality. Dr. Prakash Chauhan, Director of the Indian Institute of Remote Sensing, said India is effectively using remote sensing technology to support blue economy via weather and disaster forecasting, marine environment protection, and searching for waters suitable for fishing and tourism. Dr. Prabir from the Research and Information System for Developing Countries (RISDC) proposed strengthening connectivity, especially facilitating maritime transportation via the ASEAN-India seaport network; investing in sea infrastructure; developing coastal special economic zones; and improving connectivity plans. Participants shared the view that maritime security is crucial to developing blue economy, and proposed potential cooperation fields such as maritime connectivity, safety, and diplomacy. They hoped for more discussions about blue economy towards realising specific projects between ASEAN and India. The event was co-hosted by the Vietnamese Foreign Ministry, the Indian Ministry of External Relations, with the support of the Economic Research Institute for ASEAN and East Asia, the RISDC, and the National Maritime Foundation of India.  Deputy PM Pham Binh Minh welcomes new Mozambican ambassador   Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh (R) receives new Mozambican Ambassador to Vietnam Leonardo Rosario Manuel Pene on July 18  Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh received new Mozambican Ambassador to Vietnam Leonardo Rosario Manuel Pene in Hanoi on July 18. Deputy PM Minh reaffirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing relations with Mozambique, one of its key partners in southern Africa.  He stressed that the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies will create the best possible conditions for the diplomat to fulfil his duties. At the meeting, host and guest discussed specific measures to enhance the two countries’ cooperation in such key areas as agriculture, telecommunications, education, and healthcare, as well as to expand bilateral ties in potential fields like transport, mining, and oil and gas. They also agreed to facilitate people-to-people exchange and business-to-business partnership. For his part, the new ambassador expressed his honour to work in Vietnam, adding that leaders of Mozambique treasure relations with the Southeast Asian nation and hope bilateral ties can be enhanced through various channels, including between their Parties, parliaments, and peoples. Mozambique hopes that political trust will be a foundation for connecting the two economies across the two continents, he noted. The diplomat pledged to make concerted efforts to strengthen the countries’ friendship, boost bilateral trade, attract more Vietnamese investment into Mozambique, and create favourable conditions for exchanges between the business circles and peoples of the two countries. Vice President reviews policy for war heroes in Quang Nam   Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh in Quang Nam  Vice President Dang Thi Ngoc Thinh held a working session with authorities of the central province of Quang Nam on July 18 about the enforcement of a policy for those who rendered their services for the nation, ahead of the 71st anniversary of the Day of War Invalids and Martyrs (July 27).  She hailed the achievements that Dien Ban town, and Que Son and Duy Xuyen districts have made in the past and asked them to rally public involvement in improving the material and spiritual lives of war heroes and other poor residents in the locality.  The Vice President requested that the new rural development campaign should be made sustainable, while further attention should be paid to Party and political system building, disaster prevention and control, as well as the “Studying and Following the Thoughts and Moral Virtue of President Ho Chi Minh” campaign.  Meeting some of the disadvantaged children and war heroes in the area, she expressed hope that they would continue to uphold the revolutionary tradition and contribute to local socio-economic development.  In Que Son district, she presented 10 houses worth 500 million VND (22,200 USD) to war heroes; gifts to 100 policy beneficiary families and poor households; 10 computers totally valued at 330 million VND to each of three local schools; and scholarships to 50 poor students with outstanding academic performances at Dong Phu secondary school.  In Dien Ban town, she granted five houses worth 250 million VND, gifts to 300 poor families, and 50 scholarships to needy students.  In Duy Xuyen district, Thinh handed over 420 million VND and 50 gifts to policy beneficiaries and poor households.  On the occasion, she offered incense at the martyrs’ cemetery in Dien Ban town and at a memorial house dedicated to war hero Nguyen Van Troi.  Deputy PM sends sympathies to China over flood consequences   Flooding in Neijiang, Sichuan province, China (Photo: Xinhua/VNA) Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on July 18 sent his sympathies to Chinese State Counsellor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi over serious human and property losses caused by recent floods in the country. Minh extended his deep sympathies and regards to Wang and people in regions hit by floods. He also expressed his belief that under the leadership of the Chinese Government, people in affected areas will soon overcome the consequences of the natural disaster, restore production and stabilise their lives. Torrential rain coupled with two typhoons have caused extensive flooding and landslides in Sichuan and Gansu provinces, affecting an estimated 2.9 million people. CPV delegation attends Sao Paulo Forum in Cuba, visits Dominica   Nguyen Duc Loi, member of the Party Central Committee and General Director of the Vietnam News Agency, speaks at the 24th Sao Paulo Forum in Havana, Cuba  A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Nguyen Duc Loi, member of the Party Central Committee and General Director of the Vietnam News Agency, attended the 24th Sao Paulo Forum in Havana, Cuba on July 14-17. The delegation took part in all activities of the forum and delivered a speech on late President Fidel Castro’s special relations with Vietnam at a special plenary session on July 17. On behalf of the delegation, Loi underlined that Fidel is a great leader of international communist and worker movements, and a symbol of revolutionary heroism, and aspirations for freedom and happiness.  He highlighted that humanitarian internationalism initiated and led by Fidel had materially and spiritually supported many revolutions and movements for national liberation worldwide, including Vietnamese people’s resistance war against the US.  The official recalled Cuba’s support to Vietnam in the past even when the Caribbean country was facing numerous difficulties as a result of the embargo imposed by the US, quoting Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro’s saying that “For Vietnam, Cuba is willing to shed its blood.” He also recollected Fidel’s historic visit to Vietnam’s central province of Quang Tri in September 1973, the first trip by a foreign leader to a liberated area in Vietnam. During the trip, the Cuban Commander-in-Chief hoisted the Vietnamese liberation flag on top of a bunker formerly belonging to the enemy troops, and then urged the Vietnamese soldiers to “put up this glorious flag in the centre of Saigon.” His wish came true two years later.  The forum attracted 625 delegates from 56 countries and 168 organisations across the world. They focused on discussing regional and international situations and emphasised the importance of gathering forces and devising measures to fight imperialists. Many Latin American and Caribbean leaders committed to reinforcing solidarity between leftist forces in the region and the world. They have adopted 45 resolution and statements on socio-political issues in the region.  Created in 1990 as a result of the Permanent Conference of Political Parties of Latin America and the Caribbean, the Sao Paulo Forum is a space for dialogue, which attracts about 100 political parties, organisations and progressive movements in the region. During their stay in Cuba, the Vietnamese delegation also paid courtesy visits to Miguel Diaz-Canel, President of the Council of State and Council of Ministers of Cuba and Mercedes Lopez Acera, Politburo member and Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba (CPC) Central Committee.  They met with Jose Ramon Balaguer, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee and head of its Department of External Relations, and Victor Gaute, Secretary of the CPC Central Committee, who is in charge of the party’s information work. Earlier, the CPV delegation had a working visit to the Republic of Dominica on July 11-13. They paid a courtesy visit to President of the Senate Reinaldo Pared Pérez, who is also general secretary of the Dominican Liberation Party (DLP), and held talks with General Secretary of the United Left Movement of the Dominican Republic (MIU) Miguel Mejía. They met with Dominican Foreign Minister Miguel Vargas and attended a meeting honouring President Ho Chi Minh in East Santo Domingo city. VNN