Political Headlines January 13 Prime Minister starts official Cambodia trip Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung arrived in Phnom Penh yesterday (Jan12) on the start of a three-day working visit to Cambodia to carry forward bilateral economic, trade and investment ties. The visit is being made at the invitation of Cambodian Prime Minister Samdech Techno Hun Sen. He was warmly welcomed at the airport by Cambodian Minister of Information Khieu Kanharith, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cambodia Ngo Anh Dung and Vietnamese nationals in the country. Dung cut the ribbons for the inauguration of the new Vietnamese Embassy in Cambodia and met with representatives of Vietnamese nationals in the country. He praised the efforts of embassy staff that have contributed to the traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Viet Nam and Cambodia. Dung also hailed contributions made by Vietnamese businesses in Cambodia to the development of the bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of aviation, banking, telecommunications and rubber. He noted that the businesses should complete legal procedures and abide by Cambodia's laws and traditions. Dung stressed that the Party and State considered Vietnamese nationals living abroad as an indispensable part of Viet Nam who helped boost friendship and co-operation between Viet Nam and other countries. He urged the embassy to work with local authorities to create conditions for Vietnamese nationals to work and live in Cambodia. Dung will attend the inauguration ceremony of Cho Ray-Phnom Penh hospital and co-chair the 4th Viet Nam-Cambodia Trade and Investment Promotion Conference with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen today. PM inaugurates new Vietnamese embassy building in Cambodia Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung cut the ribbon to inaugurate the Vietnamese embassy’s new headquarters in Phnom Penh after his arrival in Cambodia on January 12.   Prime Minister Nguyen Tat Dung at the airport in Cambodia. (Source: VNA) The PM is in Cambodia for a three-day working visit at the invitation of Prime Minister Hun Sen. Meeting with the embassy staff and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Cambodia, the PM affirmed that the Party and State of Vietnam have always supported a Cambodia of peace, stability, national harmonization and prosperity with friendly ties with Vietnam and other countries. He highlighted the close friendship and fruitful cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia, to which Vietnamese businesses operating in the neighbouring country have made great contributions, especially in aviation, banking, telecommunications and rubber planting. He asked the businesses to abide by laws and customs of the host country while maintaining good relations with local authorities and people, helping enhance understanding about the friendship between the two countries. The PM also stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State have always considered overseas Vietnamese people an integral part of the national great unity and an important factor that contributes to strengthening the friendship between Vietnam and other countries, including Cambodia. PM Dung’s working visit from January 12-14 aims to push forward bilateral economic, trade and investment ties. Two-way trade reached 3.3 billion USD in 2012, a year-on-year rise of 18 percent and is estimated at 3.5 billion USD in 2013. By June last year, Vietnam invested over 3 billion USD into nearly 130 projects in Cambodia, focusing on industrial crop cultivation, mining, electricity generation, telecommunications, finance and banking, among others. The friendship between Vietnam and Cambodia has witnessed positive developments, with the exchange of many delegations in 2013. The two countries have also strengthened national security and defence cooperation while cooperating closely in the search and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers who sacrificed their lives during the war in Cambodia. The demarcation and planting of border markers is in progress. Both neighbours have affirmed to continue cooperating to complete the job at an early date for a border of peace, friendship, stability and development. NA Standing Committee set for first 2014 meeting The 24th session of the National Assembly Standing Committee is due to take place between January 13 and 15, with law building work consuming most of the agenda. During the first meeting of the year, the committee will discuss some draft laws, including the Law on Immigration and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam, the Customs Law (revised) and the Law on Bankruptcy (revised). It will also give opinions on the draft Law on the Organisation of the National Assembly for submission to the legislative body during its 7th session. Additionally, the committee is expected to approve a diplomacy programme in 2014 and discuss the allocation of an additional Government bond capital in the 2014-16 period. Party leader works with Economic Commission The Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission has been urged to enhance the macroeconomic and strategic socio-economic advice it provides during Party policy formulation. Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong made the request at a January 11 working session with the commission. He reiterated the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), as the nation’s ruling party, must lead and direct development in all fields. He called on the commission to devote itself to its economic research, recommendation, verification, and supervisory responsibilities. General Secretary Trong said the commission has two two major priorities in 2014: reviewing Vietnam’s 30-year process of renewal, and completing preparations for the 12th National Party Congress. The commission was also asked to improve its internal human resources as it implements the 11th National Party Congress resolution on socio-economic development and emulating President Ho Chi Minh’s moral example. Vietnam, Italy enhance people -to-people diplomacy The Vietnam-Italy Friendship Association (VIFA) will focus on boosting people-to-people diplomatic activities to further strengthen cooperation in economics, trade, investment, sci-technological exchange, education and training, and tourism between the two countries in the coming time. The plan was released at VIFA’s sixth congress for the 2013-2018 term in Hanoi on January 10, which elected its new 34-member executive board. At the congress, participants agreed that the association will work hard to enhance and expand its relations with Italian partners, thus fostering the strategic partnership and all-round ties between the two countries and people while calling on Italian friends to continue supporting Vietnam’s industrialisation, modernisation and national defence. VIFA will serve as a bridge to connect both sides’ business communities, helping Vietnamese enterprises access those from Italy. The Dante Centre, a language and cultural institution in Rome, will continue promoting the Italian language and culture to Vietnamese graduate students, as well as helping them prepare for study at the country’s universities and research institutions. Over five terms, VIFA has worked hard to facilitate the success of people-to-people diplomatic affairs while stepping up friendship, cooperation and mutual understanding between Vietnam and Italy. It has also worked closely with chapters of the Italy-Vietnam Friendship Association to organise activities supporting Vietnam, especially in assisting Vietnamese Agent Orange/dioxin victims. Mass mobilisasion efforts hailed Politburo member and standing member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh has praised efforts of the mass mobilisation sector over the past year. Speaking at a teleconference organised by the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation on January 10 to review its operations in 2013 and launch tasks for 2014, the official asked the commission to work more closely with the Vietnam Fatherland Front to better its performance, thus generating consensus among the population on goals and policies. He said in 2014, the whole Party, army and people should join hands together to fulfil all social-economc development targets set in Party resolutions. This is also the first year the country will implement a resolution introduced during the seventh session of the 11th Party Central Committee on enhancing and renovating the leadership of the Party in mass mobilisation work, he noted. Addressing the event, Ha Thi Khiet, head of the commission, said despite many difficulties and challenges faced by the country last year, mass mobilisation work saw great progress. This has helped generate consensus in the society, optimising the strength of national unity, contributing to the success of the annual socio-economic development goals and ensuring national security and defence, she said. Khiet urged participants to give comments on the mass mobilisation sector’s 2013 results, point out its limitations and shortcomings and draw lessons. She also called for the introduction of good models and forecast on new challenges in the work, thus outlining directions and solutions for better performance in 2014. Attendees at the conference agreed that this year, mass mobilisation should focus on realising the Party Central Committee’s resolution on strengthening the Party’s leadership. The sector should enhance its role as an advisor for the Party and strengthen its fraternal relationship, they said. Vietnam, Laos review border work The 23rd annual meeting between border guard delegations from Vietnam and Laos took place in Hanoi from January 8-10. Deputy Foreign Minister Ho Xuan Son, head of the National Boundary Commission under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and his Lao counterpart Bounkeut Sangsomsak led the representatives to the event. The two sides reviewed the implementation of national border management regulations and the progress of a project to plant more border markers and upgrade existing ones. They worked out measures to improve the work for 2014 and mapped out plans to carry out the governmental agreement on addressing free migration and unregistered marriage along the two countries’ border areas, thus enhancing a peaceful, friendly and cooperative border line. Myanmar legislators visit Hanoi National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son on January 10 received a delegation of the Myanmar-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group led by its President Nay Win Tun. Son noted with satisfaction the positive development of bilateral parliamentary relations and proposed the two legislatures increase cooperation and work closely together at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums. Son welcomed the Myanmar legislature’s decision to establish the Myanmar-Vietnam friendship parliamentary group, which he said plays important role in strengthening friendship, cooperation and exchanges between the two countries. He expressed hope Myanmar create favourable conditions for Vietnamese investors to do business in its territory. He also voiced Vietnam’s commitment to facilitate Myanmar operations in the country. For his part, Nay Win Tun said he was impressed by Vietnam’s Renewal achievements, and assured Son Myanmar wants to boost multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam. He said his visit to Hanoi aims to foster economic cooperation in agriculture, aquaculture, finance-banking, aviation, telecommunications, oil and gas, mineral ore exploration, and electrical equipment manufacturing. President praises contributions of northern province patriots President Truong Tan Sang praised the contributions made by veterans to the country's successful fight for national independence during a visit to the northern border province of Cao Bang on Saturday. He also expressed his desire that they continue setting an example for upcoming generations, including border residents and soldiers. While on a tour, President Sang offered incense at a shrine dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh at the Pac Bo historical site in the province of Cao Bang. Sang also paid homage and extended Tet (Lunar New Year) greetings to veteran Hoang Thi Khin, a former courier for the late President during the pre-uprising period in Pac Bo village, Ha Quang District. He also visited local residents in Van Trinh commune, Thach An District, which was presented with the title "Hero of the People's Armed Forces". The locality, where the first Party cell of the district was established, is now home to 400 households made up of four ethnic groups. In a bid to develop a new-style rural area, the commune has shifted its crop structure, forming a larger area devoted to the growth of sugar cane. Meanwhile, 95 per cent of the households in the commune have accessed the national grid to assure a stable supply of electricity. Additionally, the President said he believed that the commune would soon reduce its poverty rate from its current 19 per cent. During his tour, the President visited the construction site of the Sai Gon-Ban Gioc Resort, which is expected to open in October this year to tap the tourism potential of the Ban Gioc waterfalls in Trung Khanh District. He also met with soldiers stationed at Dam Thuy border post, who are protecting 18.6km of the border, 60 border markers and the two border communes of Chi Vien and Dam Thuy. The President commended the soldiers' achievements in ensuring national security and defence, while contributing to building a border area of peace and friendship. President Sang visits Lang Son border area President Truong Tan Sang inspected border security in the northern province of Lang Son on January 10, where he held separate working sessions with Chi Ma Border Station and Economic Defense Division 338. These units are tasked with defending the 15.6-km borderline and developing the economy in nine communes in Loc Binh District. The President called on the soldiers to help locals reduce poverty and improve living standard. Local residents mostly earn money from agriculture in the forest and mountains, using rudimentary methods of farming. The poverty rate in these border communes is about 22 per cent. The President praised the work of the border station and the economic defense division and said that they should continue maintaining unity, working closely with the locals on poverty reduction, implementing new economic models and contributing to border security. The same day, President Sang visited Cao Lau Commune, which borders China. He praised the local government in external border relations and said building a border area of peace, stability and development was the common effort of both Viet Nam and China. He also called for greater efforts in building new rural areas. The President stressed that local authorities must play an active role in motivating residents to leave poverty behind and focus on effective production models that can promote sustainable growth. The poverty rate of the commune is 14 per cent, lower than the average level of 18 per cent in Lang Son Province. On this occasion, President Sang and the Viet Nam Red Cross presented 300 Tet gifts and 200 blankets to poor people in Lang Son Province. President tours Cao Bang border province President Truong Tan Sang offered incense at a shrine dedicated to President Ho Chi Minh in the Pac Bo historical relic site in the mountainous province of Cao Bang on January 11 as part of his tour to the nation’s northern border areas. The President paid homage and extended Tet (Lunar New Year) greetings to veteran Hoang Thi Khin, a former courier for the late President during the pre-uprising period in Pac Bo village, Ha Quang District. The leader also greeted several families of war invalids in Thach An District. President Sang praised the contributions made by veterans to the country’s successful fight for independence, and expressed his desire that they will continue setting an example to the upcoming generations, especially border residents and soldiers. The state leader also visited locals in Van Trinh commune, Thach An District, which was presented with the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces”. The locality, where the first Party cell of the district was established, is now home to 400 households of four ethnic groups. In a bid to develop a new-style rural area, the commune has shifted its crop structure, forming a larger area devoted to the growth of sugarcane. Meanwhile, 95 percent of the households in the commune have accessed the national grid for a stable supply of electricity. The President said he believes that the commune will reduce the poverty rate from the current 19 percent soon. During his visit, he also visited the construction site of the Saigon-Ban Goc Resort, which is expected to open in October this year to tap the tourism potential of the Ban Gioc waterfalls in Trung Khanh District. He also paid a visit to soldiers stationed at Dam Thuy border post, who are protecting 18.6km of borderline, 60 border markers and the two border communes of Chi Vien and Dam Thuy in the district. The President commended their achievements in ensuring national security and defence, contributing to building a border area of peace and friendship. Haitian President hopes for more Vietnamese investors Haiti’s President Joseph Michel Martelly has expressed his hope that more Vietnamese investors will pour money into in his country, especially in the sectors matching with the two countries’ potential. Receiving ambassador Duong Minh, who presented his credentials on January 11, President Martelly spoke highly of the strong development in relations between the two countries, especially after Prime Minister Laurent Lamothe’s visit to Vietnam at the end of 2012. He said he believes that with vision and effort, bilateral cooperation will continue to develop. Ambassador Minh said that despite successes, bilateral cooperation in economics, trade and investment has yet to match the potential available. Thus, he called on the Haitian government to continue supporting Vietnamese enterprises to invest and promote trade in the Caribbean country, especially in agriculture, telecommunication, construction and construction materials and consumer goods. The diplomat also committed to doing his best to contribute to nurturing and fostering the friendship and multifaceted cooperation between the two countries for the benefit of both nations. Vietnam, RoK boost diplomatic ties Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam received Chairman of the Foreign Affairs, Trade and Unification Committee of the Republic of Korea’s (RoK) National Assembly, Ahn Hoong Joon on January 11 in Hanoi. The Deputy PM expressed his satisfaction with the strong development of the Vietnam-RoK strategic cooperative partnership in various fields, especially trade and investment. He highly valued the recent cooperation between the two legislative bodies, based on the exchange of the high-level delegations and experience sharing. The Vietnamese Government always welcomes cooperative initiatives proposed by the RoK government and businesses and is willing to create the best possible conditions for RoK long-term investments in the country, he said. Dam also thanked the Korean National Assembly for its active moves in support and protection of Vietnamese citizens living in the RoK. For his part, Ahn Joong Hoon highly valued the Vietnamese community’s contribution to his nation’s current socio-economic development. He proposed the two countries strengthen their cooperation in education and IT development, areas in which the RoK has particular expertise. VFF President urges better communication President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan has underlined the need to intensify communication in a practical and effective manner to keep the people informed. At the 13th VFF Central Committee Conference in Hanoi on January 12, Nhan reviewed the front’s activities in 2013 in which social and political organizations clearly defined and renewed operational orientations to prepare for the working programme for 2014 under the revised Constitution. Regarding objectives for 2014, the VFF President called for more responsibility in reflecting the people’s wish, aspiration and their opinions to the Party and administration at all levels. Key tasks for this year will be focused on the country’s socio-economic situation, the 2013 constitutional amendments and the Land Law, dealing with voter proposals and VFF-related activities at all levels. The VFF should listen to the people’s opinions and encourage them to become actively involved in the front’s propaganda work, Nhan said. More effective measures should be taken to enhance the front’s role in promoting exemplary role models and emulation movements in every locality as well as effectively implementing incentive policies for people credited with revolutionary services. At the conference, VFF Central Committee Vice President and General Secretary Vu Trong Kim said the 8th National VFF Congress for the 2014-2019 term is scheduled to take place from September 24-29. The congress will review five years after implementing the resolution and action programme adopted at the previous congress and approve a report on the front’s activities for the last term (2009-2014). It will make supplements and amendments to VFF regulations (7th tenure) and hold a democratic consultation to elect the 8th VFF Central Committee. The congress is expected to involve 1,200 delegates including 989 official members and 200 guests. VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA