Political News Headlines 25/4  PM welcomes Brunei envoy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has reiterated Viet Nam's willingness to work with Brunei, Malaysia, and Singapore to conclude the Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations at the earliest.   PM Nguyen Tan Dung (R) and the Brunei ambassador. (Photo: VGP) He issued the statement while receiving new Ambassador of Brunei Pengiran Haji Sahari Bin Pengiran Haji Salleh in Ha Noi yesterday, April 24. The government leader proposed holding the first session of the Viet Nam – Brunei Joint Committee soon, during which both sides will seek ways of tapping their strengths in the areas of trade, investment, farming, and aquaculture, among others. Highlighting the importance of maintaining peace, stability, freedom, and maritime and aviation security in the East Sea, PM Dung suggested Brunei and the relevant countries to continue asserting ASEAN's stance, mentioned in its Declaration on Six-point Principles on the East Sea. He called for peaceful settlement of disputes, which is in line with the international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, while fully realising the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea in earnest and soon reaching the Code of Conduct in the East Sea. The ambassador vowed to liaison with Vietnamese and Brunei agencies, during his working term, to further enhance bilateral ties. Steering committee for int’l integration set up A National Steering Committee for International Integration will be up and running soon under a decision signed by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on April 23. The PM-led committee will include Deputy PMs Pham Binh Minh, Vu Van Ninh and Vu Duc Dam, who will lead respective commissions for international integration in terms of politics, national defence and security; economics; culture, social affairs, science, technology and education-training. The body will consist of four permanent members: the Head of the Government Office, the Foreign Minister, the Minister of Industry and Trade and the Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. Eight other members are leaders from the ministries of Public Security, Planning and Investment, Finance, Justice, Science and Technology, Education and Training, and Culture, Sports and Tourism. The committee is tasked with helping the PM devise orientations, strategies and solutions for international integration. It will assist the Government and the PM in directing ministries, government agencies and provincial and municipal People's Committees to effectively realise relevant policies and guidelines. The committee is also required to make periodical reports on its activities to submit to the Politburo, the Secretariat, the Government and the PM. Defence Minister meets Chinese wartime supporters Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh on April 24 hosted a reception in Hanoi for a delegation of the family members of Chinese experts who offered assistance to Vietnam’s anti-French resistance war. His guests also included the family of Nguyen Son, the General of both Vietnam and China. During the reception, Minister Thanh said the Vietnamese Party, State, army and people always remember and thank their Chinese partners, especially advisors and experts, for their great support for Vietnam’s national liberation struggle in the past. He said he hopes that the two countries will exchange visits more frequently, thus further strengthening their friendship. On behalf of the guests, Vice Chairman of the China –Vietnam Friendship Association Qi Jianguo said he believes that with joint efforts made by both sides, the friendship between the two countries will be lifted to a higher level in the future. Deputy defence minister bids farewell to Myanmar attaché Deputy Defence Minister, Sen. Lieut. Gen Nguyen Chi Vinh, has attributed the productive Vietnam – Myanmar defence links to the determined efforts of a Myanmar army official. Receiving outgoing Myanmar army, naval and air force attaché, Col. Saw Naing in Hanoi on April 24, Vinh hailed bilateral cooperation in personnel training over the course of his tenure. Colonel Naing thanked Vietnamese agencies for helping him fulfil assigned tasks, confirming that he will do more for defence ties between the two nations in his next position. Lao PM meets Vietnamese teachers The Lao Party, State and people are extremely grateful to Vietnam for its comprehensive support of the country over the past time, especially in human resources training, Prime Minister Thongsinh Thammavong said on April 24. The Lao Prime Minister made the statement during a reception for former Vietnamese teachers, who provided education for many generations of Lao students in the past. The host also recalled the time when he lived and studied in Vietnam. He said that apart from educating a large number of Lao students, Vietnam also sent many experts to Laos to assist the country’s education development. At present, Vietnam still continues supporting his country in the field, contributing significantly to its national construction and development, the Lao PM added. Vietnamese guests said they will continue to educate Vietnamese and Lao generations on the traditional friendship and special solidarity between the two countries. Nations discuss parliamentary operations The organisation, operation and functions of a legislative body are being discussed at a two-day international conference, beginning on April 24 in Ho Chi Minh City. Parliamentarians from Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar, Canada, France and Germany are attending the event, jointly held by Vietnam’s National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) and Germany’s Rosa Luxemburg Foundation. Based on international experience shared during the conference, Vietnamese delegates are expected to propose suggestions to perfect regulations in the revised draft Law on the Organisation of the National Assembly (NA), which will be submitted to the 13th NA at its upcoming seventh meeting. The Director of NILS, Dinh Xuan Thao, said that amendments to the draft law will be aligned with the 2013 Constitution. Within the framework of the conference, delegates will visit Ho Chi Minh City’s office of NA deputies and People’s Council. Hanoi ceremony marks South Africa’s Freedom Day The South African Embassy in Vietnam held a ceremony in Hanoi on April 23 to celebrate the 20 th anniversary of the country’s Freedom Day (April 27, 1994). South African Ambassador Kgomotso Ruth Magau said the lives of millions of people in the country have changed since 1994, and South Africa is working to build a society of solidarity that brings better lives to all citizens. She affirmed that Vietnam is one of her country’s important trade partners in Asia. Both sides are making all efforts to foster their friendship and seek cooperation opportunities in all fields, especially trade and industry. At the function, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cao Duc Phat said Vietnam is delighted at South Africa’s achievements in the national construction and development over recent time. He voiced his belief that South Africa, with its strength in finance, trade, science-technology and natural resources, will reap greater achievements in the future, contributing to the regional and international peace and stability. Vietnam and South Africa established their diplomatic links in 1993. Their two-way trade hit 920 million USD in 2013 from 722.6 million USD in 2012, according to the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry. Source: VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA