GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 26/7 Chairman Hung pledges close ties with Myanmar NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has pledged close cooperation with Myanmar's parliament to implement the first agreement signed between the two legislative bodies. Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung speaks at Myanmar Parliament's plenary session. Speaking to Myanmar's Union Parliament, Hung affirmed that Viet Nam's policy was to prioritise cooperation with Myanmar to ensure regional stability and economic development. Under the agreement, both sides will work to deliver their legislative commitments in a range of areas. The NA Chairman praised the economic achievements of Myanmar's parliament and expressed his belief that Myanmar would play an important role in the region, notably through ASEAN. He acknowledged the risks to stability in South East Asia, including tensions in the East Sea, and challenges relating to environmental sustainability. The cultural and historical similarities between the two countries was an important foundation for a deep bilateral relationship, he said. The Chairman also took time to visit Yangon - Myanmar's biggest city and economic hub, and to spend time with staff from the Vietnamese Embassy. PM reaffirms accent on co-operation with Japan Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has re-affirmed the importance of strengthening economic ties with Japan. The pledge came yesterday, July 25, as the PM met with the Chairmen of the Japan -Viet Nam Economic Committee, Takahasi Kyohei and Nakamura Kunihira. The committee is an important arm of the Japan Business Federation, Keidanren, which promotes trade between the two countries. The Prime Minister praised the role of the committee in strengthening bilateral trade with Japan and agreed on the importance of providing incentives for Japanese investors. Both nations are currently working to implement the fifth phase of the Viet Nam-Japan Strategic Initiative, which will provide a much needed boost to six key industries in Viet Nam, including electronics, agriculture, shipbuilding and energy. The meeting is the first policy dialogue between the Ministry of Planning and Investment, and Keidanren, said Takahasi Kyohei. Keidanren represents 1,300 Japanese companies, 121 industrial associations and 47 regional economic organizations. Condolence sent to Prime Minister Mariano Rajoy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, July 25, sent a letter of condolence to his Spanish counterpart Mariano Rajoy over the train derailment which claimed at least 78 lives and injuring many. Congratulations sent on Cuba's Moncada Barracks anniversary Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday, July 25, all sent messages of greetings to Raul Castro Ruz, President of the Council of State of Cuba and the President of the Council of Ministers of Cuba on the occasion of the country's celebrating 60th anniversary of Moncada Barracks (26/7/1953-26/7/2013). On July 26, 1953, the barracks were the site of an armed attack by a small group of revolutionaries led by Fidel Castro. This attack is widely accepted as the beginning of the Cuban Revolution. Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also congratulated their counterparts, Esteban Lazo and Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla, respectively. VNN/VNS/VNA