Political News Headlines 7/4 Bulgarian PM begins visit to strengthen bilateral ties Bulgarian Prime Minister Plamen Vasilev Oresharski yesterday, April 6, began a three-day visit to Viet Nam aimed at creating a chance for both countries to discuss measures to boost bilateral ties. The subject of the discussions will be economics, trade and investment. The two sides will also take the occasion to seek ways to implement the Viet Nam-Bulgaria new co-operation model and encourage businesses from both sides to strengthen connections. During former Bulgarian President Plevneliev's visit to Viet Nam last year, the two countries issued a joint statement on the development of ties towards a future strategic partnership. Viet Nam and Bulgaria have enjoyed a sound traditional relationship over the past six decades since the establishment of diplomatic ties in February 1950. Bulgaria was also one of the first countries to establish such relations with Viet Nam. Bulgaria has also developed ties with Viet Nam as part of its Asia policy, and the two countries hope to lift bilateral ties to a strategic partnership. Two-way annual trade stands at US$70-80 million. The two countries are taking steps to implement a new economic co-operation model on the basis of making full use of the strengths of each side. Bulgaria currently has seven FDI projects in Viet Nam with total capital of more than $30 million, ranking 57th among the 98 countries and territories that invest here. Bilateral partnerships in other fields such as security, defence, education and training and culture have also made positive progress. The countries are carrying out an education co-operation programme for the 2012-26 period. Bulgaria has pledged to share its experience in heritage conservation and archaeology by sending experts to help restore historical sites. Currently, more than 1,000 Vietnamese citizens live in the European country. The two countries have shown close co-ordination at multilateral forums in the past. Bulgaria has supported Viet Nam's membership of the World Trade Organisation, the UN Security Council for the 2008-09 term, and the Human Rights Council in the 2014-16 tenure. Viet Nam has supported Bulgaria's nomination for a seat on the UN Economic and Social Council, the Chairmanship of UNESCO, and a space in the International Court of Justice. Public Security Minister visits Nepal Vietnam and Nepal will strengthen cooperation in combating crime, including trans-national, drug-related, terrorist and high tech crimes, as well as crimes involving money laundering, human trafficking, and e-commerce fraud. The agreement was reached during talks in Kathmandu capital on April 4 between Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Interior Minister Bam Dev Gautam and Vietnamese Minister of Public Security General Tran Dai Quang, who was on an official visit to Nepal.   Gautam acknowledged the growing ties between the two countries and between the Nepal Interior Ministry and the Vietnam Ministry of Public Security in particular. Quang said Vietnam values Nepal’s active role and effective coordination at regional and international forums, including the Non-Aligned Movement (NAM), South-South Cooperation, South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC), and ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). He said Vietnam-Nepal relations are developing well in politics, economics, trade, culture, social affairs, security and national defence. Vietnam applauds the achievements the Nepalese people have made in national reconciliation, development, and international integration, and believes they will reap greater successes in national construction and defence, Quang said. The same day, the Vietnamese minister paid a courtesy visit to Prime Minister Sushil Koiral who expressed his belief the minister’s visit will deepen relations between the two countries and two ministries. Quang confirmed Vietnam attaches importance to the ties of traditional friendship and cooperation with Nepal. During his stay, Minister Quang met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, President of the Nepal-Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and President of the Nepal-Vietnam Friendship Association. Vietnam, Oman hold first political consultation Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Phuong Nga and her Omani counterpart Ahmed Bin Yusuf Al Harthy co-chaired the first Vietnam-Oman political consultation from April 2-3. The two diplomats briefed each other on the socio-economic situation in their respective countries and exchanged view on regional and international issues of common concern They appreciated the positive development of bilateral ties in recent times and voiced their desire to bolster bilateral economic links by utilizing the two countries’ potential and strength. Both sides agreed to intensity delegation exchange and encourage businesses to participate in trade fairs and exhibitions and strengthen cooperation in trade, oil and gas, investment and tourism. Nga also paid courtesy visits to other Omani Ministers in charge of foreign affairs, industry and trade, human resources, finance and the Vice Chairman of the Oman Chamber of Commerce and Industry. VFF aspires to stronger Vietnam-Germany friendship Vietnam and Germany should work out a detailed plan to mark 40 years of diplomatic ties in 2015, said Vietnam Fatherland Front Central Committee President Nguyen Thien Nhan. While receiving Germany ambassador to Vietnam Jutta Gisela Frasch in Hanoi on April 4, Nhan noted the strategic partnership between Vietnam and Germany has developed strongly in all areas, from politics, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, to development cooperation and education-training. VFF President Nguyen Thien Nhan (R) pushed for stronger Vietnam-Germany relations at a meeting with German ambassador to Vietnam Jutta Gisela Frasch in Hanoi on April 4 He particularly spoke highly of bilateral cooperation in vocational training over the past five years, generating qualified human resources for Vietnam. The Vietnam Fatherland Front will do its utmost to support the development of the strategic partnership between the two countries, Nhan assured his guest. He revealed Vietnam will create the best possible conditions for Germany to carry out the German House and Vietnam-Germany University projects in HCM City. The VFF President also thanked Germany for selecting HCM City to host the 14th Asia-Pacific Conference of Germany Businesses on November 20-22 , 2014, saying the biennial event will offer regional politicians and business circles the chance to exchange views on various economic areas. Ambassador Frasch expressed hope that both countries will work closely together to boost bilateral ties in the future, especially in economics, trade, investment, and development cooperation in education-training. Vietnam commits to closer cooperation with MRC states PM Nguyen Tan Dung has expressed Vietnam’s desire to strengthen relations with all Mekong River Basin countries while receiving delegates to the second Mekong River Commission Summit in HCM City on April 5. He said Vietnam wants to cooperate closely with MRC member states and partners to realise set strategies and projects of the commission. He said Vietnam is completing procedures for joining the 1997 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Non-Navigational Uses of International Watercourses, and hoped other Mekong River Basin countries will consider ratifying the convention to make it realistic. At a reception for Cambodian PM Hun Sen, Dung proposed the governments of Vietnam and Cambodia continue to instruct their relevant agencies to speed up key projects connecting the two countries. Hun Sen agreed with proposals of the Cambodian and Vietnamese ministries and agencies to improve the efficiency of agreements and projects reached during high-level exchange visits. Meeting with Lao PM Thongsing Thammavong, PM Dung applauded Laos’ recent socio-economic development achievements, and said Vietnam supports Laos’ development. Dung said he will ask Vietnamese agencies to work closely with their Lao counterparts to effectively implement high-level agreements. Thammavong briefed Dung on Laos’ encouraging result in budget collection and expressed his belief that both countries will realise orientations to further develop the special ties between Laos and Vietnam. While meeting with Sihasak Phuangketkeow, special envoy of the Thai Prime Minister, Dung said he hopes the government and people of Thailand will soon overcome difficulty at present. He affirmed Vietnam is ready to discuss and sign a programme of action for the strategic partnership between the two countries at an appropriate time. He proposed that Thailand continue performing its role as the ASEAN-China coordinator in boosting cooperation in issues of common concern, including the formulation of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea. Sihasak Phuangketkeow voiced Thailand’s desire to foster ties with Vietnam and fully implement MRC commitments, programmes and projects. At another reception for Myanmar Foreign Minister U Wunna Maung Lwin, PM Dung hailed Myanmar’s ASEAN Chair in 2014 and said he will lead a Vietnamese delegation to the ASEAN Summit in Myanmar this May. Maung Lwin appreciated the effective cooperation of the two countries at regional and international forums, including the UN Human Rights Council of which Vietnam is a member.  Overlapping policies hinder poverty reduction efforts Overlapping policies are hindering poverty reduction efforts, according to Minister of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen. At a recent conference drafting the Government’s report on poverty reduction in the period of 2005-2012, delegates pointed to the fact that many ministries issued policies designed for the same purpose, resulting in stretching resources which are already limited. One example of this is a range of policies on investment in infrastructure for disadvantaged communes, including Programme 135 for disadvantaged communes of ethnic minority groups, Programme 30a for the 61 poorest districts, and the programme on building new-style rural areas. The State and local budget cannot meet the capital demand for all projects under these programmes at the same time, resulting in delays in implementation of them all. The large number of policies built by various ministries and agencies also makes it difficult to keep consistency. Two similarly poor households in the same commune may receive assistance at different levels depending on whether they benefit from Programme 135 or Programme 30a, leading to beneficiaries’ complaints. Another example of the overlapping policies is the buying of medical insurance for the poor. As the policy is conducted by several ministries and agencies, it happens that a beneficiary may receive several health insurance cards, which is a waste of State money. To counter the problem, the Ministry of Labour, War Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) has proposed that all existing national target programmes for poverty reduction should be combined into a single one to prevent scattered investment. Local authorities should be given a stronger say in how to allocate investment to meet local needs, while a coordinator is needed for the implementation of policies in each specific area. According to MoLISA’s report, the country saw an annual average poverty rate reduction of 2 percent and a 5 percent fall in disadvantaged districts and communes from 2005-2012. In 2013, 621,000 poor households were provided with preferential loans for production development, and 13 million disadvantaged and ethnic people were granted health insurance cards. However, the achievements were unstable, especially in mountainous and ethnic minority populated regions where the number of poor households accounts for 50 percent of the country’s total. Party leader inspects work on new rural areas in Phu Tho Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong toured the northern midland province of Phu Tho on Saturday to assess its socio-economic development and new rural area building programmes.   Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met people in Vo Mieu Commune in Thanh Son District, northern Phu Tho Province on Saturday during his working visit to the province. The Party leader visited residents of Vo Mieu Commune in Thanh Son District where he said that the Party and State were focused on ensuring social welfare and equality, as well as the implementing poverty reduction policies. Vo Mieu Commune is home to many ethnic minority groups, and nearly all of them have access to power and healthcare services, while 85 per cent enjoy clean water supplies. So far, the commune has fulfilled seven out of the 19 criteria specified by the Government to build a new-style rural area. Noting that the locality had faced many difficulties with a high ratio of poor households, the Party leader urged local authorities and residents to promote the area's potential and strength in land and labour resources. He said the locality should increase the application of advanced technology in production, while developing a large-scale model involving the processing and export industries. General Secretary Trong hailed the efforts made by the commune to study and follow the moral example of President Ho Chi Minh, and the resolution on Party building. He underlined that the locality should focus on strengthening solidarity within the community and developing human resources. On the occasion of the Hung Kings Temple Festival and the commemoration of Lac Long Quan (who is believed to be the father of the nation), the Party leader offered incense and paid a floral tribute to the Hung Kings at the Hung Temple in Hy Cuong Commune. He also gave thanks to Lac Long Quan at his temple and prayed for prosperity and peace for the nation. Prime Minister joins walk to support people with disabilities Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday (April 6) joined thousands in a walk in Ho Chi Minh City to support people with disabilities. The event was a call for people from all walks of life to join hands and care for those with disabilities. Speaking at the event, PM Dung said that the Party and State had implemented policies to protect the rights of disabled people and encourage them to become active members of society. They had been issued health insurance cards to secure healthcare, and many more were now afforded competent legal assistance. Many of them had also made significant achievements in education, business, science and sports. The Government leader spoke highly of assistance from donors at home and abroad for the disabled, asking them to continue their support. He also urged ministries and sectors to implement legal regulations aiding the disabled, especially in areas related to vocational training, employment, education and healthcare. During the walk, more than VND10 billion (US$470,000) was raised. Viet Nam is now home to around 6.7 million disabled people, including 3.6 million women and 1.2 million children. Five million are living in rural areas. Lao leader welcomes Vietnamese Party delegation A delegation of the Communist Party of Viet Nam (CPV) led by Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee Dinh The Huynh was welcomed by Lao Party Secretary General and President Choummaly Saynhasone in Vientiane yesterday. The CPV delegation is in Laos to attend the second theoretical conference between the two parties. During the meeting, Huynh, who is also head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Popularisation and Education and President of the Central Theoretical Council, briefed the Lao leader on Vietnam's socio-economic situation and Party building since the CPV's 11th Congress. Huynh expressed his hopes to further relations between the two parties and the two countries as a whole, while strengthening the exchange of experience in Party building and management. He also confirmed the importance of the improvement of Party leadership and combatant capacity in one-party countries like Viet Nam and Laos. Saynhasone said that the successful organisation of the conference would play an important role in the theoretical research and practical experience of Party building in both countries. He said he hoped that the two sides would continue to compare views regarding issues arising in their respective countries' socialist construction and reform. Deputy PM to head agency to fight AIDS, drug abuse Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam has been named the Chairman of the National Committee for AIDS, Drug and Prostitution Prevention and Control. Deputy PM Dam will replace Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc in the position.      Lao leader welcomes Vietnamese Party delegation A delegation of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) led by Politburo member and Secretary of the Party Central Committee Dinh The Huynh was welcomed by Lao Party Secretary General and President Choummaly Saynhasone in Vientiane on April 6. The CPV delegation is in Laos to attend the second theoretical conference between the two Parties. During the meeting, Huynh, who is also head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for Popularisation and Education and President of the Central Theoretical Council, briefed the Lao leader on Vietnam’s socio-economic situation and Party building since the CPV’s 11th Congress. Huynh expressed his hopes to further the relations between the two Parties and the two countries as a whole, and strengthen the exchange of experience in Party building and management. He also confirmed the importance of the improvement of the party’s leadership and combatant capacity in one-party countries like Vietnam and Laos in the current situation. Saynhasone said that the successful organisation of the conference will play an important role in enrich the theoretical research and practical experience in Party building of both countries. He said he hopes that the two sides will continue comparing views regarding issues arising in their respective countries’ socialist construction and reform. VNN/VNS/VNA