GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 19/6 First Korean-language newspaper hits shelves The Vietnam-Korea Times – Viet Nam's first Korean language newspaper made its debut in Ha Noi yesterday, June 18. It is a collaboration between Vietnam Pictorial, a Viet Nam News Agency (VNA) publication, and a newspaper for the Republic of Korea's (RoK) overseas citizens. The paper aims to strengthen the strategic partnership between the two countries by serving as a bridge for mutual understanding and trust between the two peoples. It will provide information on Viet Nam's investment environment and co-operation opportunities, while serving as a reliable source of news for RoK policymakers, scholars, businesses and the Korean community living in Viet Nam. The 24-page colour-printed Vietnam-Korea Times will be published every Tuesday, covering a wide range of topics including politics, the economy, culture, education, art, history, Viet Nam and its people, business activities and community information. During the publication's launch ceremony, both VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi and Charge d'affaires at the RoK Embassy in Ha Noi Oh Nak Young expressed their delight at the growing friendship and all round co-operation between the two countries, which has developed into a strategic partnership. They agreed both sides are laying the foundations for further and more effective bilateral ties. Loi noted the RoK is now the second largest direct investor in Viet Nam, with registered capital totalling over US$24 billion. He said the country is Viet Nam's second biggest ODA provider, and ranks fourth in trade and third in labour co-operation with Viet Nam, adding that over 120,000 people from the RoK live in the country and a similar number of Vietnamese live in the RoK. The newspaper reflects the Vietnamese Government's growing interest in the RoK community in Viet Nam. PM calls for veterans to uphold political will Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has hailed the Vietnam War Veterans’ Association for its past achievements, making practical contributions to the country’s socio-economic development. The Prime Minister delivered the praise at a working session with leaders of the association in Hanoi on June 18. The Government leader expressed his wish that the association will continue bringing into full play its gained results, further upgrading political thought for its members, consolidating political will, revolutionary morality, upholding the nature of “Uncle Ho soldiers”, fighting against wrong thinking and defeating ill plots of hostile forces. It is important to increase awareness of the Party and Government’s policies among veterans, thus creating good examples for citizens from all walks of life, playing an active part in national construction and defence, the Prime Minister said. Chairman of the association Nguyen Van Duoc reported that his agency’s operations in the past years have been expanded with prominent results shown in the movement of veterans helping each other do business, and reducing poverty. He said that in 2012, nearly 30,000 veteran households were removed from the list of poor cases. In addition, the association has been active in combating wrong attitudes against the Party’s guidelines and the State’s legal policies in the fight against corruption, wastefulness and social crimes, the chairman added. Duoc also called on the association’s chapters to coordinate with relevant agencies to nurture the patriotic and revolutionary tradition among the youth, effectively involving them in people-to-people foreign affairs with veterans of other countries. During the session, the Prime Minister and leaders of ministries and central agencies gave opinions on several proposals put forth by the association. Vietnam-Austria relations develop well The friendly and cooperative relations between Vietnam and Austria have developed strongly over the years, ranging from politics and diplomacy to economics, trade, education and training. Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan was speaking at a reception in Hanoi on June 18 for outgoing Austrian ambassador to Vietnam Georg Heidl. He acknowledged the ambassador’s effective contributions to strengthening bilateral cooperation, especially in 2012 when both countries celebrated 40 years of diplomatic ties and the Austrian President visited Vietnam. He also thanked the diplomat for encouraging Australian businesses to invest in Vietnam, including a cable car project at Ba Na Hills Mountain resort which has set a world record for its longest cable care route. However, the efficiency of bilateral cooperation remains modest, said Nhan. He proposed that Heidl continue lobbying the Austrian government to support its business community in operating in Vietnam, especially in the areas of their strength such as urban metro and renewable energy. The diplomat said he will try his best to maintain and increase official development assistance (ODA) for Vietnam, as well as encouraging Austrian businesses to invest in health care and the environment in the Southeast Asian nation. Party leader sends off VN diplomats General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday, June 18, met and congratulated Vietnamese ambassadors and consul-generals before they embark on journeys to start their work overseas for the new 2013-16 term. Trong told Vietnamese ambassadors and consul-generals to be well aware of the responsibilities and functions of Vietnamese representative offices overseas as well as their own duties to fulfil their work. He stressed that the ambassadors and consul-generals need to understand thoroughly the Party's policies and positions in regard to Viet Nam's relations with other countries, which is to remain independent, ready to be friends and partners with other countries, proactive to integrate into the global context and to promote mutually beneficial co-operation with respect to other countries' internal affairs. He added that they need to not only promote the good image of Viet Nam with international communities, but also offer support to overseas Vietnamese to build up their confidence. On their part, the ambassadors and consul-generals promised to work their hardest to deepen Viet Nam's relations with other countries and to extend support to Vietnamese overseas. CPV delegation visits Ukraine A high-ranking delegation of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) led by Politburo member Le Hong Anh is paying a working visit to Ukraine to boost the two countries' traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation. Le Hong Anh, who is also the permanent member of the Secretariat of the CPV yesterday held talks with Pyotr Simonenko, the First Secretary of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Ukraine. The two sides exchanged their views on international and regional issues, as well as measures to strengthen relations between the two parties. They agreed to improve the effectiveness of their co-operation and enhance information and experience exchanges. Simonenko highly lauded the Vietnamese delegation's working visit, considering it a milestone in the two parties' relations. Closer links for Vietnamese abroad The Vietnamese Government has introduced policies to provide better conditions for overseas Vietnamese communities to get involved in the country's political and economic events, Duong Chi Dung, Vietnamese ambassador to France said at a ministerial meeting on national communities living abroad in Paris on Monday. This is the first time such a meeting has been held. It follows the initiative of Helene Conway-Mouret, Minister Delegate for French Nationals Abroad, to promote international co-operation in dealing with the growing number of immigrants in big countries. In his speech, Ambassador Dung said Viet Nam appreciated the contributions made by the estimated 4.5 million Vietnamese born or living overseas. He said overseas remittances by the more than 300,000 Vietnamese residents in France had increased by 10 per cent annually, making Viet Nam one of the top 10 receivers of remittances in 2011, according to the World Bank. Viet Nam paid due attention to holding conferences, seminars and gatherings for Vietnamese residents abroad to allow them to contribute opinions on the country's major issues, Dung said. Gia Lai socio-economic development, security discussed The Steering Committee for the Central Highlands on June 18 worked with Gia Lai province’s authorities on the locality’s socio-economic development and security, aiming to resolve difficulties in implementing the set regional and local development goals. At the session, Tran Viet Hung, the Permanent Deputy Head of the Steering Committee, stressed that the province has basically completed the development plans with the fastest state-budget collection progress and the most effective educational activities in the region. It also saw positive changes in political security, successfully settling land conflicts and gaining ethnic minority groups’ trust in the leadership of the authorities, he said. Hung acknowledged the local authorities’ proposal and requests to prioritise the implementation of national goals and programmes and review the locality’s investment portfolio. He added that the Steering Committee will coordinate with central ministries and agencies to help local people resolve current difficulties. During the working session, Hung asked provincial leaders to examine the hydropower plants in the locality, support companies to overcome difficulties, and soon implement the province’s credit package recently pledged by the Bank of Development and Investment of Vietnam (BIDV). Gia Lai, one of five provinces in the Central Highlands, is home to various ethnic minority groups. It is famous for its diverse and traditional culture, rich natural resources and favourable conditions to develop agriculture and build hydropower plants. Lao northern provinces hope to expand cooperation with Vietnam Lao northern provinces of Luong Prabang and Saynhabuly have a wealth of favourable conditions to expand their cooperation with Vietnamese localities, especially in industrial tree planting and tourism development. The statement was made by Vietnamese Ambassador to Laos Nguyen Manh Hung at a reception hosted by Governor of Luong Prabang province Khampheng Saysompheng and Governor of Saynhabuly province Lien Thikeo on the occasion of Hung’s working visit to the two Lao northern provinces from June 17-18. The Vietnamese guest thanked the Lao provincial governors for helping Vietnamese businesses and community in Laos stabilise their lives and seek effective investment cooperation opportunities, citing the fact that the average income of local people is relatively high at over 1,800 USD. For their part, Lao hosts regarded Hung’s visit as an effort to strengthen and reinforce the bilateral relationship, and expressed their gratitude to the Vietnamese Government, Party and people for supporting their provinces alleviate poverty. They further said that their provinces already share a close relationship with Vietnamese localities and always hope to expand their cooperation with Vietnamese localities, especially with the southern provinces. They affirmed that they will help Vietnamese enterprises and people stabilise their lives and do long-term business, which is expected to contribute to nurturing the relationship between Vietnam and Laos. Top Ecuador diplomat to visit Vietnam Ecuador Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino will visit Vietnam during his upcoming Asian tour to strengthen political and trade ties between the two countries. The diplomat told the media prior to his UK visit on June 17 that Ecuador wants to increase trade exchange with Vietnam – a Southeast Asian country which has achieved high economic growth over the years, and bilateral trade ties are growing and flourishing. Vietnam will be Patino’s second stopover during his Asian tour. Besides Vietnam, he will visit the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, and Singapore. Deputy Foreign Minister of Ecuador Marco Albuja visited Hanoi in January 2013 for the second political consultation between the two countries’ Foreign Ministries. Albuja told the media that Ecuador President Rafael Correa planned to visit Vietnam this year. According to the Ecuador government, two-way trade between Ecuador and Vietnam stands at US$100 million per year.   Public Security Minister meets with Japanese envoys The sound diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Japan have reaped many successes since both countries established their comprehensive strategic partnership, said Public Security Minister, General Tran Dai Quang. Minister Quang made the assertion when he received Vietnam-Japan Special Friendship Ambassador cum Japan-ASEAN Special Envoy Sugy Ryotaro, and Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Yasuaki Tanizaki in Hanoi on June 18. At the reception, Minister Quang said that Vietnam and Japan have a friendly relationship and share a lot of cultural similarities, adding that ministries, sectors and authorities of the two countries have accelerated the implementation of many cooperative programmes and projects that have brought positive results for the two sides. The Vietnamese host expressed his gratitude to Japan’s Government and authorities for effectively supporting Vietnam’s Public Security Ministry to prevent and combat crimes, ensure social order and security, prevent and fight fire, and aid rescue work. He also highly valued the role of the two Japanese Ambassadors in stepping up the friendly relations between Japanese law enforcement agencies and the Vietnamese Public Security Ministry in particular, and between the two countries in general, adding that he hopes these cooperative ties will see stronger developments in collaborative fields. The Japanese guests spoke highly of the development steps in the bilateral cooperative ties over the past time, and affirmed that they will do their utmost and make more contributions to deepen the bilateral friendly relationship for peace and the interests of the two countries’ people, as well as for the region and the world. VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA