GOVERNMENT IN BRIEF 2/10 Vietnamese, Thai parties tighten ties The General Secretary of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV), Nguyen Phu Trong, has expressed his hope that Thailand's ruling Pheu Thai Party (PTP) will continue contributing to strengthening the two countries' strategic partnership.   Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomes PTP Senior Adviser Somchai Wongsawat. (Source: VNA) Receiving PTP Senior Adviser Somchai Wongsawat in Ha Noi yesterday (Oct 1), the Vietnamese Party leader noted that the two sides need to further enhance delegation exchanges and experience sharing in the implementation of economic development measures and national construction and development. He said the PTP delegation's visit to Viet Nam, from September 30 to October 4, at the invitation of the CPV Central Committee, marked an important milestone in the two Parties' relations. Praising the outcomes of the talks between the CPV and PTP delegations, General Secretary Trong thanked the Thai Government, ruled by the PTP, for its cooperation with Viet Nam at regional and international forums and for its support for the Vietnamese community in Thailand. Somchai Wongsawat, a former Thai Prime Minister, affirmed that the PTP would place greater efforts in boosting solidarity and the traditional friendship between the two peoples and the two Parties. The Thai visitor said that under the CPV leadership, Viet Nam would realise its ambitions for industrialisation and modernisation and improve the country's standing in the region and international arena. Earlier, Hoang Binh Quan, Head of CPVCC's Commission for External Relations, held talks with Somchai Wongsawat to discuss issues concerning their respective parties. The two sides also discussed ways to strengthen relations between the two Parties and implement the Viet Nam-Thailand strategic partnership. President gets behind female empowerment President Truong Tan Sang yesterday (Oct 1) acknowledged and promoted the role of women in embracing economic empowerment across the country. Meeting business delegates in the capital for Viet Nam Women's Innovation Day 2013, Sang said women played a key role in the poverty reduction essential to elevating Viet Nam's development status. The meeting also marked the 83rd year anniversary of the establishment of the Vietnam Women's Union, to be celebrated on October 20. The President described those present as role models for women across the nation, urging the Viet Nam Women's Union to work closely with relevant agencies and businesses to improve the lives of women and their families. The union's chairperson, Nguyen Thi Thanh Hoa, said female delegates had made great contributions in promoting economic empowerment; improving household businesses, delivering products to markets and creating jobs for locals. The delegates urged the Party and State to provide preferential financial support, legal assistance and further training to help more women escape poverty and increase economic independence. Viet Nam Women's Innovation Day 2013 (VWID) was launched in the capital yesterday, drawing support for initiatives enabling female economic empowerment. The event also serves as a forum for policy makers and experts to propose measures to nurture economic ambitions and improve the living conditions of women and young girls across Viet Nam. Vietnam to make positive contribution to APEC 21 Vietnam, together with other ASEAN members, is collaborating with the host Indonesia to make the up-coming 21st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting a success, creating imprints and a long-term vision for cooperation over the next decades, said Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son. Deputy Foreign Minister Son made the affirmation in an article on 25 years of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) and Vietnam’s participation in the forum on the occasion of the 21 st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting in the island of Bali from October 6-8. Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang will attend the event at the invitation of his Indonesian counterpart Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono. Vietnam became an official member of APEC in November 1998. Over the past 15 years, the country has been a dynamic and responsible member, making many positive and effective contributions to APEC cooperation, reflected by its success as APEC Chair in 2006, as well as in hosting the 14th APEC Leaders’ Meeting and the 18th APEC Ministerial Meeting of foreign and economic/trade ministers. Vietnam will be the host of the sixth APEC Ministerial Meeting on Human Resources Development in 2014. The country has also strictly followed APEC’s plans, cooperation programmes and commitments, as well as actively participated in more than 70 initiatives on economics, trade, investment, technology, health care and terrorism prevention. As part of its active international integration, Vietnam will continue considering APEC a focus in its foreign policy of openness, diversification and multilateralization. APEC is now the country’s largest regional investor, accounting for 65 percent of its total foreign investment, 60 percent of export turnover, 80 percent of import value and 75 percent of total international tourists to Vietnam. Deputy FM Son affirmed that APEC is not only the forum critical to Vietnam’s development in economics, external affairs and security, but also an effective channel for the country to boost cooperation and deepen its bilateral relations with other member economies which include its comprehensive and strategic partners. Therefore, Vietnam pledges to participate in and contribute positively to the success of the 21st APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, for the dynamism, self-strength and development of the Asia-Pacific region, the Vietnamese diplomat stressed. NA Chair prioritises education Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday (Oct 1) affirmed the importance of developing education and training to enable Viet Nam's industrialisation and modernisation. Speaking at a reception for top-performing students in Ha Noi, Hung praised the efforts of students, many of whom had claimed prizes at international Olympiads and regional competitions, and topped this year's university entrance examinations. The NA Chairman emphasised the importance the Communist Party and the State of Viet Nam placed on providing high-quality staff and urged the students to play a role in national development. Vietnam, Belgium enhance defence ties A Vietnamese delegation from the National Assembly (NA) Committee for National Defence and Security led by its Chairman Nguyen Kim Khoa paid a working visit to Belgium from September 29-October 2. At an October 1 meeting with Chairman of the Belgian Chamber of Representative’s Defence Committee Filip De Man in Brussels,  Khoa said Vietnam is keen to learn from Belgium’s experience in international security activities. Khoa informed his host of the challenges the Vietnamese army is facing in the protection of national territorial integrity. He also asked Belgium to support Vietnam’s stance on multilateral issues, especially those related to security and the East Sea. De Man briefed Khoa on the Belgian army’s operations and the role of the defence committee in building the force’s action programmes in foreign countries. At separate meetings with the Belgian Central Committee for Counter-terrorism and special units of the Ministry of the Interior, the Vietnamese delegation learnt about the organisation and deployment of fire-fighting and anti-terrorism forces in Belgium as well as in Europe. Belgium pledged further cooperation with Vietnam in public security and defence. Meeting with representatives from the North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO) earlier, the Vietnamese asked them to hold a defence and security dialogue with Vietnam. Can Tho get-together marks China’s National Day The Mekong Delta city of Can Tho on October 1 hosted a get-together celebrating the 64th anniversary of China’s National Day. In his speech at the event, Standing Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Le Hung Dung said the Vietnam-China diplomatic ties experienced a long way over the past 64 years while describing their friendship between as a common treasure of the two peoples. He also applauded the important common perceptions reached by senior leaders on developing Vietnam-China links over the past years. Many Chinese companies have recently helped push up Can Tho’s socio-economic development. The city and China’s Shantou city in Guangdong province signed a cooperation deal as part of efforts to strengthen relations between Vietnam and China, Dung said. At an earlier reception for newly-appointed Chinese Consul General in Ho Chi Minh City Chai Wenrui, Dung expressed his desire for more Chinese firms to do business in the city. For his part, Chai Wenrui promised to facilitate Chinese firms’ investments in Can Tho. VNN/VNS/VNA