Political News Headlines 29/6 Vietnam calls for Uzbekistani support for East Sea issue Vietnam calls for Uzbekistani support for the East Sea issue and thanks the country for its support and assistance given to the Vietnamese people during the past struggle for national liberation and unification. Chief Judge of the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court Truong Hoa Binh told this to his Uzbekistani court officials during his delegation visit to Uzbekistan from June 25 to July 1. The visit by the Vietnam Supreme People’s Court aims to establish cooperative relations with the Uzbekistani Court and learn the country’s judicial reform experience. During the visit, the delegation visited Civil Court Zangiatin, Nodir Bevon-Begi Islamic School, met with governors  and  provincial Chief Judges in Buhara and Samarkand and visited a number of cultural and historical relic sites in Tasken, Buhara and Samarkand. Meeting with Uzbekistani local authorities, Binh briefed them on the Vietnam  Supreme People’s Court’s accomplishments in judicial reform process over the years. After talks with the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Uzbekistan, the two sides signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two Supreme People's Courts which marked a new step of development in friendly relations between the two countries’ court sector. Meeting with the Vietnamese delegation, Uzbekistani Senate President I. Sabirov said he hopes that the international community will support Vietnam’s struggle against China to defend its sovereignty in the East Sea. Deputy Defence Minister welcomes US, Indonesia guests Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh hosted a reception in Hanoi on June 27 for W. M. Winfield, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for Prisoner of War/Missing Personnel Affairs (POW/MIA). At the meeting, Vinh stressed the need to further the search for the remains of US servicemen who died during the war in Vietnam, adding that over the past years, Vietnam has always considered it one of the top priorities in the cooperation with the US. He affirmed that cooperation in this issue is part of the humanitarian policy and goodwill of the Vietnamese Government and people, helping ease the pain of US families, whose members went missing during the war. He also suggested the US side continue to work together with Vietnam to solve the consequences of the war, such as the disposal of bombs and mines and the detoxification of AO/dioxin in Vietnam. Winfield appreciated the valuable and efficient support of the Vietnamese Government, people and war veterans in the search and repatriation of the remains of US servicemen. He also hoped that the Vietnamese Government and people will continue creating favourable conditions for the US and the joint task force to look for the remains. On the day, Deputy Minister Vinh also received a delegation from the Indonesian National Armed Forces, who are here for the first meeting of the Vietnam-Indonesia Group Vinh said both sides should continue to implement the bilateral MOU on defence cooperation while boosting experience sharing and joint exercises in search and rescue operation.- Vietnam active at UN human rights meeting Vietnam made substantive contributions to the newly-concluded 26th session of the United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, affirming the country’s resolve to promote human rights. During the three-week session, which was concluded on June 27, UNHRC had various discussions on many important matters such as the protection of vulnerable groups, especially women, children and the disabled; and impact of some global issues like climate change, immigration, dire poverty, human trafficking, and the Internet development. The council also considered the human rights situation in some countries; and debated measures to increase technical support in ensuring and promoting human rights in others. During the event, many countries and international organisations spoke highly of speeches by Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, head of the Vietnamese delegation, which touched upon some areas of global concerned like gender equality, children’s rights, poverty reduction, and the realisation of the Millennium Development Goals. They also valued Vietnam’s balanced and comprehensive approach which aims to boost dialogue and cooperation in respect of international law and legitimate rights of relevant sides. As a member of the UNHRC, Vietnam actively gave opinions on draft resolutions and co-sponsored nine others, particularly those regarding gender equality, protection of vulnerable groups, and education and health rights. Ambassador Thanh said during the 26 th session, the UNHRC approved the Universal Periodic Review (UPR) on human rights of 14 countries, including Vietnam. Almost all participants hailed Vietnam’s efforts and achievements in ensuring human rights, as well as support for most of recommendations, and constructive attitude in the UPR progress and human rights process in Vietnam, he said. Notably, they welcomed Vietnam National Assembly’s adoption of the 2013 Constitution, which highlights human rights, Thanh added. Vietnam backs MIA issues with the US Vietnam prioritises the search for US personnel missing in action during the past Vietnam War, and supports the US in this field, said Deputy Defence Minister Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh. Gen. Vinh made the statement at a reception in Hanoi on June 27 for Major General W. Montague “Q” Winfield, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense (DASD) for Prisoner of War /Missing Personnel Affairs. Although the war ended for nearly four decades, MIA issues should be intensified to ease the suffering of US families whose relatives lost their lives during the Vietnam War, said Vinh. He also proposed that the US work closely together with Vietnam to address war aftermath issues, including unexploded ordnance (UXO) clearance and Agent Orange/dioxin remediation. Winfield appreciated Vietnam’s recent assistance in the search and repatriation of remains of US personnel missing in action, and hoped both sides will facilitate the search to make it more effective. President Sang meets HCM City entrepreneurs President Truong Tan Sang and National Assembly deputies of Ho Chi Minh City on June 28 met with local entrepreneurs to listen to their opinions on business facts, particularly amid the demand for both safeguarding the national sovereignty in the East Sea and shoring up the economy. Tran Viet Anh, Vice Chair of the HCM City Rubber and Plastics Manufacturers Association, reported that more than 3,000 plastics enterprises nationwide have to import 6 billion USD worth of materials, mostly from China, every year. Pham Xuan Hong, Vice Chairman of the Vietnam Textile and Apparel Association, said materials for their production are mainly imported from China, thus the State should make the best use of the Trans-Pacific Partnership Agreement and free trade agreements to develop the country’s support industries. Meanwhile, Vu Van Minh, General Director of the Vina Giay Corporation – specialising in making footwear – suggested more favourable policies to be issued to help domestic businesses produce materials on their own. Responding to proposals targeting an independent economy, the State leader asked businesses to heed the date of January 1, 2016, when ASEAN and China will remove their trade barriers. At that time, if domestic production remains stagnant like it is now, Vietnam will be flooded with Chinese goods, he noted. Support industries create a large number of jobs and help drive the gross domestic product growth, yet most of the profit from this sector flows into foreign investors, President Sang noted. He ordered the business circle to join hands with relevant agencies to soon devise measures to regain the economy’s momentum and ease dependence on imported materials. At the meeting, President Sang and NA deputies also heard entrepreneurs’ proposals regarding real estates, the gold market and the import of animal feed. NA Vice Chairman visits Portugal’s Portor City A National Assembly (NA) delegation led by Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu has visited and worked with Portugal’s Mayor of Porto City Rui Moreira. At the meeting, Mayor Rui Moreira, said many Portuguese people know Vietnam through its tourism and export products. Though Portugal is suffering a major impact of the economic crisis, its import turnover from Vietnam is seeing rapid growth. The Portuguese government desires to boost imports from Vietnam, making possible for Vietnam to become a reliable partner of Portugal in the near future, the Porto Mayor said. For his part, the Vietnamese legislator expressed his satisfaction with the fine development of the growing ties between Vietnam and Portugal even though they are geographically distant. Luu said that despite trade relations between the two countries having developed strongly, it is still not commensurate with their full potential. During the meeting, Luu briefed Mayor Rui Moreira on Vietnam’s socio economic achievements as well as the Vietnam NA’s operations, stressing that Vietnam and Portugal have many similarities as they have strength of coastal nations with long coast lines. NA Vice Luu suggested Portuguese businesses should invest in Vietnam in oil and gas and shipbuilding. He also informed his host about the tense situation in the East Sea and Vietnam’s consistent stance on defending its sovereignty, adding that Vietnam wants to receive more support from other countries including Portugal and other EU nations. Russia supports peaceful solution to East Sea disputes Russia’s Federation Council (the upper house) supports peaceful negotiations in accordance with international law and non-intervention principle to resolve all disputes, including those in East Sea. Vladimir Dzhabarov, first deputy chairman of the International Affairs Committee of the Federation Council, made the statement while receiving Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son in Moscow on June 26. The Federation Council consistently backs equality in international relations, he told Son, who is also special envoy of the Vietnamese Prime Minister. For his part, Son acknowledged Russia’s measures to stabilise the situation in Ukraine, noting that Russia’s peace initiative will benefit Ukrainian people. He said Vietnam attaches great importance to strengthening the comprehensive cooperation partnership with Russia built upon the long-lasting friendship and mutual understanding. Both host and guest also discussed ways to increase bilateral cooperation, primarily in economics, trade, investment, oil & gas, as well as national defence and security. Effective cooperation in these areas will help foster the long-lasting partnership between Vietnam and Russia, they said. Vietnam, Russia enhance cooperation in ethnic affairs A delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for Ethnic Affairs led by its Chairman Ksor Phuoc is on a two-day visit to Russia to strengthen bilateral ties in the field of charge. During their June 26-27 stay in Moscow, the Vietnamese delegation had working sessions with the Russia State Duma committees for ethnic affairs and regional policy and the Russia Federal Council’s advisory council for ethnic affairs. Both sides shared experience in legislation and social management in the field as well as discussed ways for future cooperation development. They noted with pleasure that bilateral relations between Vietnam and Russia have incessantly been nurtured and cemented over the past time on the ground of their comprehensive strategic partnership. The Vietnamese official highlighted the Party and State’s consistent policy on ethnic affairs, affirming that the country always gives special heed to promoting the national great unity, particularly among ethnic minority people, in an effort to keep their cultures, religions and languages alive. The Russian representatives stressed that more than 100 nationalities in Russia hope to deepen their traditional friendship with Vietnamese ethnic groups and increase cooperation and experience sharing to better policies for the two countries’ ethnic minority people. Ksor Phuoc also briefed his hosts on the recent developments in the East Sea after China illegally placed its oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf in early May. He said he hopes that the Russian deputies, through global cooperation channels, will take an active part in settling the issue peacefully in accordance with international law. Egypt’s Independence Day marked in Hanoi The 62nd anniversary of Egypt’s Independence Day was celebrated by the Egyptian Embassy in Vietnam on June 26. Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Thach Du hailed the remarkable achievements Egypt has recorded during the national construction and development, adding that thanks to the two sides’ strong determination and entireness efforts, bilateral ties have been constantly consolidated. Exchanging delegations at various levels has helped boost bilateral partnership, making Egypt one of Vietnam’s important economic and trade partners in North Africa. The Vietnamese government praised Egypt for being the first North African country to recognise Vietnam’s full market economy, and expressed hope that bilateral friendship and all-around cooperation will further grow and flourish for mutual benefit. Egyptian Ambassador Youssef K. Hanna said the two countries celebrated the 50th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2013, marking the development of their bilateral ties based on the cooperation, friendship, mutual respect and support at international forums. He also voiced his nation’s determination to further promote bilateral ties and operate existing mechanisms effectively, including organising the upcoming meeting of the Vietnam-Egypt Ministerial Joint Committee. Cambodia, Vietnam enhance friendship Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen on June 26 held a reception for a delegation from the Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association led by its President Vu Mao on a working visit to Cambodia from June 25-27. At the function, PM Hun Sen described the visit a practical deed to reflect the association’s important role in promoting solidarity and friendship among social organisations, enterprises and people for mutual benefit. PM Hun Sen asked both sides to boost cooperation by strengthening delegation exchange and people-to-people diplomacy, and educating young generations about the fine tradition of both nations. For his part, Mao hailed Cambodia’s achievements in socio-economic development and national security and defence. He emphasised that the Vietnamese people have always attached importance to Cambodian people’s valuable support for Vietnam’s past struggle for national reunification and its current process of construction and development. The association will do its utmost to promote people-to-people diplomacy in order to foster friendship between the two nations in a sustainable manner, said Mao. PM approves seaport plan adjustments The Prime Minister has approved adjustments to a seaport system development plan by 2020, with a total cost estimated at 80 trillion-100 trillion VND (3.75-4.68 billion USD), according to Nhan dan (People) newspaper. The new plan will ensure the throughput of all imports and exports and exchange between different regions in the country by sea to meet socio-economic development requirements. It will concentrate on building international gateway ports in Hai Phong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau and the central key economic regions in order to receive vessels of up to 100,000 tonnes or larger.- Source: VOV/VNA/VNN