GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 12/7 PM tells Delta to promote ‘large-scale' production Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has called on the Mekong Delta provinces' agricultural sector to promote large-scale production, change their growth model and strengthen production links. Dung made the appeal yesterday at a working session with key officials of the delta's three biggest granaries, An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap provinces, which aimed at discussing solutions to remove difficulties and boost production and sales towards sustainable development. He underlined the Mekong Delta's biggest advantages of food production, fruit farming and aquaculture, while pointing out numerous difficulties and shortages faced by the sector, such as slowing production and drops in yield and farmers' income. The provinces should firstly focus on building and expanding large-scale paddy fields and developing concentrated material areas in association with trademark building, he said, adding that there should be a close connection between production, processing and selling. Special importance should be attached to trade promotion and market expansions, as well as encouraging enterprises to invest in agriculture and rural development, he said. Dung also requested regional localities to successfully purchase food for the State stockpile, restructure loans for farmers and enterprises, offer production training for farmers and adopt technologies to improve productivity and quality. Speaking at the event, Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat said localities should review rice production planning and diversify crops suitable to the land, cultivation conditions and the market. In addition, crops should be secured from natural disasters such as salt intrusion, floods and droughts. Regarding tra fish and shrimp farming, Minister Phat stressed solutions to lift trade and technical barriers, strengthen trade promotion, enhance traditional and large markets, and explore new markets. Aquatic infrastructure should also be prioritised while controlling pesticide use in aquatic farming areas and setting up a pandemic warning system, he said. Expressing their interest in the large-scale field model, senior officials from An Giang, Kien Giang and Dong Thap provinces, and several enterprises, recommended the Government soon promulgate policies supporting production-consumption connectivity and strengthen trade promotion of staple agricultural products. They also asked relevant agencies to pay more attention to market forecasting, supporting businesses' investment in agriculture and developing production areas attached to building manufacturing-processing-consumption establishments. Co-operation with India to stay strong Viet Nam and India would maintain the exchange of all-level delegations and uphold the role of existing co-operation mechanisms like political consultation and strategic dialogue to lay a strong political foundation for comprehensive co-operation. This was reaffirmed by two countries' foreign ministers during the Viet Nam-India Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic and Science-Technology Co-operation which convened its 15th meeting in New Delhi yesterday, July 11. The meeting was presided over by Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh who is paying an official visit to India from July 10-12 and his Indian counterpart Salman Khurshid. The two sides expressed their delight at the positive development of the bilateral strategic partnership in key areas like politics, economics, national defence and security, science and technology, culture and education. They agreed to promptly establish a Joint Sub-Committee on Trade and lift two-way trade to US$7 billion by 2015. The Indian side pledged to facilitate Vietnamese investment in fields of its strength like hi-tech and software development, information technology training, oil and gas, power production, industry, chemicals, construction and animal feed processing. It also committed more preferential credit to Viet Nam. Minh affirmed that Viet Nam would make it easier for Indian companies to work in the country. The two foreign ministers consented to enhance co-operation in defence - one of the important pillars in the bilateral strategic partnership - including human resources training, defence industry, experience sharing to fight against terrorism, hi-tech and drug crimes, and engagement in the United Nations peace-keeping mission. In education and training, they vowed to cement bilateral links by upholding the role of the joint working group in this field, and cultural co-operation and exchanges. The Indian side promised to offer more scholarships to Viet Nam and enhance the exchange of lecturers. Both host and guest committed to facilitating the opening of a direct air route between the two nations, as well as to encourage people-to-people exchanges and tourism development. They also agreed to boost connectivity via road and waterways. They made it clear that both sides would work closely together at regional and global forums. The Vietnamese side thanked India for backing its bid for a seat at the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2014-2016 tenure and the International Hydrographic Organisation. Viet Nam also expressed its strong support for India 's Look East policy and its willingness to bolster co-operation between India and regional countries, as well as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. Referring to the East Sea issue, India stressed its support for maritime freedom, security and safety in the East Sea, and said it backed relevant countries in the settlement of disputes by peaceful means in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) and the early establishment of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). During Minh's visit to India, the two nations inked the 2013-2015 Action Plan to enhance co-operation in trade, investment, finance, education-training, science-technology, energy, oil and gas, and agriculture. A Vietnamese Finance Ministry representative signed an agreement on the provision of preferential credit worth US$19.5 million for Viet Nam with the Export-Import Bank of India (Eximbank). The Joint Committee with convene its 16th meeting in Viet Nam in 2015. Speaker of Sri Lanka’s Parliament to visit Vietnam Speaker of the Parliament of Sri Lanka Chamal Rajapaksa will pay an official visit to Vietnam from July 14-19. The National Assembly’s Commission for External Relations said on July 11 that Speaker Chamal Rajapaksa’s up-coming visit to Vietnam is at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. President Sang’s China visit drives development: Ambassador Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang’s recent State visit to China has created a driving force for all-inclusive development between the two nations, noted Chinese Ambassador to Vietnam Kong Xuanyou on July 11. Kong said at a press briefing in Hanoi on the outcomes of President Sang’s visit to China from June 19-21 that sea-related issue is the only unsolved matter in the two countries’ ties as both nations’ stances are different and divergent. However, Kong added the two sides were unanimous on measures to properly settle emerging issues at sea so as not to impact on the development of bilateral ties. At the press briefing, the Chinese Ambassador informed participants that the two sides agreed to lift two-way trade to US$60 billion by 2015 ahead of schedule, which according to him, is an important goal. Amid the current ailing global economy, the two nations should however strive to fulfill commitments reached in the past, he said. According to Kong, the Chinese economy is maintaining its stable and sound growth. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), especially Vietnam, is one of China’s key trading partners. New Zealand, Vietnam hold political consultation Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Quang Vinh and New Zealand Deputy Secretary of Foreign Affairs and Trade Andrea Smith co-chaired the 9th political consultation in Wellington, New Zealand on July 11. They have agreed to further promote their comprehensive partnership in politics, economics-trade-investment, national defence-security, education-training, official development assistance (ODA), labour and agriculture. The two sides also reached a consensus on devising the 2013-2016 Action Programme and preparations for the upcoming high-level visits of the two countries’ leaders. They expressed their delight at the fine development of their bilateral comprehensive partnership over the years, highlighting the regular exchanges of senior delegations including Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s New Zealand visit in April 2012 and New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully’s visit to Vietnam in November 2012. Two-way trade saw a year-on-year increase, reaching nearly US$ 600 million in 2012. New Zealand now has 18 Vietnam-based projects worth over US$ 76.3 million. Its ODA to Vietnam continues to grow steadily over the years, jumping to NZD 10.5 million in the 2012-2013 fiscal year. Bilateral relations in national defence-security, education-training and labour have progressed thanks to the effective implementation of the 2010-2013 Action Programme. The two officials also compared notes on regional and global issues of mutual concern and consented to boost Vietnam-New Zealand cooperation at global and regional forums like the East Asia Summit (EAS), the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM), the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) and the United Nations. Regarding the East Sea issue, the two sides voiced their support for maintaining peace, stability, maritime security and safety in the East Sea, and the peaceful settlement of disputes in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). They also expressed their desire to formulate a Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC) soon. The two diplomats expressed their satisfaction with the close and effective links between the two foreign ministries and pledged to maintain the political consultation mechanism and conduct the next political meeting in Vietnam. Meeting with Vinh earlier on the same day, New Zealand Foreign Minister Murray McCully said the two nations boast great cooperation potential, particularly in trade, education-training, agriculture, aviation and tourism. Deputy FM Vinh said a score of measures will be taken to enhance the Vietnam-New Zealand comprehensive partnership in the years to come, especially in 2015 during which the two nations will celebrate the 40th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. Party Chief works with Hai Phong leaders Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong has called on key leaders of the northern Hai Phong city to utilize its internal strength to develop the city into a modern port-based industrial and service city by 2015. He made the remarks at a July 11 working session with key municipal leaders as part of his ongoing visit to Hai Phong city to review its implementation of the socio-economic development and Party building tasks. Trong praised the city’s Party Committee, authorities and people for their efforts to bring to the Party Central Committee’s resolutions to life aiming to reach its socio-economic development targets. Despite facing economic difficulties, Hai Phong has, in recent years, maintained an annual growth rate 1.6 times higher than the national average. Per capital income averages over US$2,000 per annum, compared with the national level of US$1,500. Regarding Party building, Trong asked Hai Phong to pay greater attention to Party building aimed at improving the political system and personnel training. During the working session, local authorities made some proposals on the construction of Lach Huyen international port, the development of Bach Long Vi island into a fishing logistics centre and Party building in economic groups and state corporations. Ambassador receives Romanian Order of Merit Vietnamese Ambassador to Romania Nguyen Quang Chien has been awarded the “National Order for Merit” for his contributions to developing the relationship between Romania and Vietnam. Addressing the conferment ceremony in Hanoi on July 11, Romanian Ambassador to Vietnam Valeriu Arteni roundly praised his counterpart’s crucial role in strengthening and diversifying bilateral relations during his term in office (2009–2012). Arteni said explained the Order of Merit is the highest honour awarded by the Romanian President to a foreign ambassador nominated by the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs.   Arteni voiced confidence in Ambassador Chien’s capacity to push the two nations’ relationship to even greater heights. Chien said the recognition was not only a personal honour but a tribute to all the Vietnamese who have contributed to consolidating friendship between the two nations. He also thanked Romanian leaders, the Romanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his Romanian friends for their unwavering support. Ambassador Chien echoed Mr Arteni’s hopes for a diplomatic future worthy of the two nations’ proud history. Mongolian Independence Day marked in HCM City The Ho Chi Minh City Union of Friendship Organisations and the Vietnam-Mongolia Friendship Association (VMFA) have celebrated the 92nd anniversary of Mongolia’s Independence Day (1921-2013). In his speech at the celebration on July 11, Mongolian Ambassador to Vietnam Dorj Enkhabat said emphasized his country’s desire to contribute to its mutually beneficial cooperation with Vietnam—one of Mongolia’s major Southeast Asian partners. In the close to six decades since establishing diplomatic ties, the two countries have assisted each other across various fields, Enkhabat said. He hopes the time-honoured friendship and collaboration will continue into the future, thriving alongside both nations’ march towards development. VMFA Chairman Truong Van Da praised Vietnam’s and Mongolia’s efforts in supporting each other’s national construction, highlighting the recent recommitment to regularly exchanging delegation visits. The two nations enjoy great bilateral cooperation potential, as Vietnamese products—farm produce, consumer goods, seafood, and rice—are enthusiastically embraced by the Mongolian people. Key Mongolian commodities like lamps, horse meat, tanned leather, and woolen carpets also are sold well in Vietnam. Mongolian delegations involved in tourism, education, trade, and electricity frequently visit HCM City in search of further investment opportunities. It demonstrates the great strides made in developing political, economic, and cultural relations between Vietnam and Mongolia, Da said. Japan enhances defence cooperation with Vietnam Vietnam and Japan will continue promoting cooperation in defense in future, said the military attaché at the Japanese Embassy in Vietnam, Colonel Ueda. Colonel Ueda made the statement at July 10 meeting with Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Defence, Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh at the end of his term in Vietnam. Vinh highlighted Colonel Ueda’s contribution to the bilateral friendship and cooperation between the two armies during his term. On the occasion, Sen. Lt. Gen. Vinh greeted the new Japanese military attaché, Colonel Ozawa. VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA