Political News Headlines 5/6 Vice President Doan meets senior French officials on ties Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, in Paris for the 24th Global Summit of Women (GSW), met with President of the French Senate Jean-Pierre Bel and Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius in Paris on June 4.   Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan receives President of French Senate Jean-Pierre Bel (Photo: VNA) During the meetings, the two sides shared the wish for closer cooperation between the two countries in the fields of energy, trade, science-technology, national defence-security, education, health care, tourism and climate change. On the occasion, Vice President Doan informed the French side on the ongoing tension in the East Sea and affirmed that Vietnam will pursue the consistent policy of settling disputes via peaceful dialogue in line with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea between ASEAN and China, rather than using force or threatening to use force. She also thanked the French government, the France – Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group and many French organisations for supporting Vietnam’s stance on this issue. The French Senate President and many senators expressed concerned about the escalating tensions on the East Sea and voiced their hope that parties concerned will soon reach a peaceful solution via talks. They pledged that the French Senate will continue to raise a strong voice in this regard. Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius agreed with Doan’s proposal to intensify joint efforts to implement the University of Science and Technology project in Hanoi. He also invited the Vietnamese side to attend the 21st Conference of the Parties on Climate Change that France will host by late 2015. The FM stressed that the two countries should increase talks on issues of mutual concern, adding that France is keeping close watch of the East Sea tension. France is concerned about the situation, he said, adding that the country will make efforts to together with Vietnam push for a peaceful solution for the East Sea issue in conformity to international law. Vice President Doan is scheduled to attend and deliver a speech at the summit opening and a follow-up press conference on June 5. The summit brings together delegates representing the three critical ‘legs’ of change – government, business and civil society – to assist in promoting greater economic opportunities for women. NA deputies continue discussing revised laws On June 4, National Assembly (NA) deputies discussed a number of draft revisions to the Law on Civil Aviation. They focused on the role and missions of aviation authorities, aviation inspection and the management of flying activities. During the day, they also heard government’s proposals and NA bodies’ verification reports on the bills on Citizen Identification and Civil Status, as well as draft amendments to the Laws on Investment, Vietnamese Nationality, Vietnam People’s Army Officers and People’s Public Security. On June 5, the deputies will continue their plenary session. Vietnam, Kenya promotes diplomatic ties Vietnamese ambassador to Tanzania Vo Thanh Nam has presented his credentials to the Republic of Kenya’s President UhuruKenyetta. The Vietnamese diplomat pledged his utmost efforts to contribute to consolidating and developing friendship and bilateral cooperation in fields such as economics, telecommunications and trade. Ambassador Nam also conveyed regards and an invitation to visit Vietnam from President Truong Tan Sang’s and Vietnamese leaders to President Kenyetta. President Uhuru Kenyetta accepted the invitation, saying that the visit will be arranged via the diplomatic channel. Earlier, Nam also paid a courtesy visit to Amina Mohamed, Cabinet Secretary for Foreign Affairs and International Trade of Kenya and met some other Kenyan diplomats. During these meetings, the ambassador expressed the Vietnamese Government and people’s desire to enhance traditional friendship and all-around cooperation with Kenya. He said he hopes both nations will support each other at multilateral forums and create favourable conditions for businesses to promote trade and investment. Vietnam attends Asia-Pacific Roundtable in Malaysia Vietnamese representatives have joined nearly 400 delegates from 30 countries at the 28th Asia-Pacific Roundtable (APR) in Malaysia from June 2-4. At the forum law-makers, scholars and diplomats participated in candid dialogue regarding the major challenges facing the region including security, defence, peace-keeping and economic development. The agenda included disparate topics ranging from building peace and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region to dealing with security challenges in the East Sea. They also examined issues related to economic and political reform in Myanmar, and the post election political landscape in Indonesia. Many participating countries, particularly the US, Japan and India, strongly condemned China’s provocation in the East Sea, according to Tran Viet Thai, Vice Director of the Institute for Foreign Policy and Strategic Studies under the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam. Many delegates supported Vietnam’s stance towards settling the dispute peacefully, including asking China to withdraw its Haiyang Shiyou-981 drilling oil rig from Vietnam’s waters and sit at the negotiating table. Congratulations sent to new Palestinian PM Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung extended his congratulations to the newly-appointed Prime Minister of the Palestinian national unity government Rami Hamdallah yesterday. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent a congratulatory message to the new premier. Rami Hamdallah's appointment was announced by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Monday. Tensions in the East Sea affect Asian trade The Secretary General of the World Customs Organisation, Kunio Mikuriya, told local media on Tuesday that the East Sea tension caused by the placement of a Chinese loil rig in Viet Nam's waters had affected cargo transportation through this area. Speaking at the 23rd meeting of the ASEAN Directors General of Customs, Mikuriya said he hoped the incident would be settled peacefully so as to ensure navigational safety and promote free trade through the East Sea – one of the core shipping lines in the world. The meeting, which was held in Da Lat City in the Central Highlands province of Lam Dong, drew nearly 70 officials from the 10 ASEAN countries, plus Japan, the South Korea, China, the World Customs Organisation (WCO) and some international institutions. General Director of Viet Nam Customs, Nguyen Ngoc Tuc, voiced concern over China's placement of the oil rig and said it was guarded by many military ships and aircraft. He said China's move violated the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (1982), and directly jeopardised peace, stability, security and safety of navigation in the East Sea and free trade in Southeast Asia. Tuc called on his counterparts to help solve the issue peacefully in accordance with international law. The meeting reviewed ASEAN customs development plans from 2011 to 2015, and devised action plans and working programmes for the bloc's customs agencies in the 2016-20 period. ASEAN has recorded some notable achievements on its way to building an ASEAN Economic Community in 2015. It has built an ASEAN customs agreement, developed a legal framework for an ASEAN customs transit system, and established a one-door customs mechanism. ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh said that the meeting was an important step towards the ASEAN Community next year. Viet Nam hosted similar meetings in 1995 and 2004. PM Dung applauds efforts of reformed shipbuilding firm Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has spoken highly of the efforts being made by the Shipbuilding Industry Corporation (SBIC) to build fisheries surveillance vessels, making a practical contribution to safeguarding the nation's sea and island sovereignty.   Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung inspects a fisheries surveillance ship yesterday built by the Ha Long Shipbuilding Company during his visit to Quang Ninh Province.  At a working session with SBIC executives in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh yesterday, June 4, PM Dung said that Viet Nam was a coastal country with a sea area of more than a million square kilometres. Its sea-based economic activities, which include aquaculture, fishing, oil and gas exploitation, and shipping, had benefited national construction and development, he added. The leader noted that in the past years, the shipbuilding industry had taken great strides as Vietnamese engineers and workers created a large number of modern vessels. Restructured from the Viet Nam Shipbuilding Industry Group (Vinashin), the SBIC now has eight affiliates which account for 70 per cent of the country's shipbuilding capacity. PM Dung instructed the corporation to continue the construction of fisheries surveillance ships as scheduled, and stand ready to maintain and build more vessels for law enforcement forces. He said Viet Nam was piloting a project to build steel fishing vessels for fishermen. He asked the SBIC to work closely with authorised agencies and fishermen to construct more steel vessels to fuel the fishing industry. The same day, the leader inspected a fisheries surveillance ship built by SBIC's Ha Long Shipbuilding Company. The vessel will conduct offshore patrols to support Vietnamese fishermen and uphold the law in the country's waters. Also yesterday, PM Dung has asked the northeastern province of Quang Ninh to develop its industrial and service sectors. At a working session with the province's key leaders in Ha Long city yesterday, the Government leader said the province should take measures to ensure the successful implementation of tasks set for 2014, creating a foundation for the province's development. He said the province needed to focus on removing difficulties for businesses and provide concrete support policies for industrial production, tourism and services. In addition to State funding, the province should actively mobilise other resources for urban and transport infrastructure development and new-style rural area building to provide momentum for its rapid and sustainable development. In the face of complex developments in the East Sea, Dung emphasised the resolve to safeguard the country's sacred sovereignty by peaceful means in line with international law, including through the channels of diplomacy and public opinion. He said Quang Ninh, which shares a border with China, must pay special attention to maintaining political security, social order and safety, and consolidate defence and security. The PM added that at the same time, the province should continue economic co-operation activities with China for the common interests of both sides. According to a provincial report, Quang Ninh has made high economic growth in recent years despite difficulties, reaching 7.5 per cent in 2013. Its business and investment environment has greatly improved while progress has also been made in building new-style rural areas, ensuring social welfare, reducing poverty and raising living standards. NA deputies discuss full and part-time roles National Assembly (NA) deputies yesterday (June 4) discussed a draft law on the organisation of full and part-time deputies at the National Assembly.   Deputy Nguyen Dinh Quyen, also from Ha Noi, said the draft law should clearly reflect the position and role of the National Assembly, which, he said, was the highest representative body of the people, the highest organ of State power - and a legislative body.  The focus of the discussion at the seventh session was about the number of full-time NA deputies, an outline of their work and their rights and responsibilities at central and local levels. Most deputies agreed to increasing the number of full-time NA deputies from 25 per cent to 35 per cent of the assembly. Deputy Pham Huy Hung from Ha Noi proposed that the number of full-time deputies should be increased term by term. He added that the percentages of deputies from central and local levels should be clearly set. He also proposed that the draft law stipulate the working time and the responsibilities and rights of part-time NA deputies before, during and after meeting sessions. Deputy Nguyen Dinh Quyen, also from Ha Noi, said the draft law should clearly reflect the position and role of the National Assembly, which, he said, was the highest representative body of the people, the highest organ of State power - and a legislative body. He said the draft law needed to clearly indicate the role and position of NA deputies and help raise the effectiveness of their activities. Quyen also proposed that the age range for NA deputies should be clearly stipulated. Deputy Huynh Van Tiep from the southern city of Can Tho said the responsibilities of the NA deputies in supervising the legal compliance of local People's Committees and People's Councils should also be clearly defined. Hanoi leader asks citizens to show patriotism by simple good things People in the capital city of Hanoi should show their love towards the country through simple good deeds, such as joining production movements and abiding by the laws of the land. The statement was made by Hanoi Party Committee Secretary Pham Quang Nghi during a working trip to industrial zones in the city on June 4. Speaking at the Thach That - Quoc Oai Industrial Zone, Nghi mentioned recent regrettable disturbances which occurred in some localities during public opposition to China’s illegal placement of the oil rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone. These incidents caused damage to businesses’ assets. While stressing that it is a legitimate right of Vietnamese people to oppose China’s wrong doings and struggle for protecting their national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he said that they should not follow the words of instigators to create social disorder that damages the image of the country. Talking to foreign business owners and workers, he shared that Vietnam is taking a series of measures to maintain peace and stability. As neighbours, Vietnam and China should sincerely foster their friendship. Hanoi is also trying its best to build its image and investment environment to attract more foreign investors while implementing policies to ensure fair interests for all foreign businesses, he said. According to Nguyen Xuan Chinh, head of the city’s management board of industrial zones (IZs) and export processing zones (EPZ), Hanoi’s eight industrial zones is now home to 550 projects worth 5.3 billion USD. They include 300 foreign invested projects, with a total registered investment of 4.7 billion USD. Businesses operating in Hanoi’s IZs and EPZs are expected to post a combined revenue of 5.5 billion USD, up 11 percent against last year and accounting for 20 percent of the city’s GDP. Congratulations sent to new Palestinian PM Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung extended his congratulations to the newly-appointed Prime Minister of the Palestinian national unity government Rami Hamdallah on June 3. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also sent a congratulatory message to the new premier. Rami Hamdallah's appointment was announced by Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas on Monday. Strong VN-US ties to promote peace, stability National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung said on June 4 that Viet Nam treasures its ties with the United States and is determined to implement bilateral agreements in the spirit of comprehensive partnership. This would be in the best interests of the people of both nations and would promote peace and prosperity in the region as well as the world, he told a delegation from the US House of Representatives headed by Congressman John Kline. During the meeting, Hung referred to ongoing East Sea tensions, reiterating that China's illegal placement of the Haiyang Shiyou-981 oil rig in Viet Nam's exclusive economic zone and continental shelf was a seriously violation of Viet Nam's sovereignty and sovereign rights. China's action was also in breach of international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, he said. Furthermore, China's actions threatened stability in the East Sea as well as maritime and aviation activities in and over international waters, and was worrying countries in the region, the NA leader added. The NA leader affirmed that the viewpoint of all Vietnamese people is to resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territory on the basis of international law, while demanding China withdraw its rig from Viet Nam's waters. He thanked the international community, including many US parliamentarians, for backing Viet Nam's stance on this issue. Kline said that his delegation's visit aims to seek and expand co-operation opportunities between the two countries' parliaments and people. The US wished to further strengthen bilateral trade ties and will actively speed up negotiations for the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, the US congressman said. The US delegation expressed deep concern over China's provocative acts in the East Sea, wishing that the parties involved would settle the situation through peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law. Dak Nong enjoys sound partnership with Cambodian province The Central Highlands province of Dak Nong and the Cambodian province of Mondulkiri have enjoyed a growing relationship since they signed a comprehensive partnership agreement in 2010. According to Le Duc Cuong from the Dak Nong Department of External Relations, the agreement, aiming to boost socio-economic agreement between the two localities in the 2010-2015 period, has seen a number of fruitful outcomes. Thanks to the close coordination between local governments of both sides, the localities have finished border demarcation work as scheduled, with eight landmarks planted, he said. Dak Nong has also handed over a 24 billion VND (1.128 million USD) vocational school as well as a public security headquarters building to Mondulkiri, said Cuong. Meanwhile, trade exchange activities between the two provinces have been on the rise, mostly with consumer goods, construction materials, fertilizer and agricultural products, he noted. At the same time, the two sides have also seen strong partnership in security and defence, particularly in preventing and combating violations of border regulations, drug trafficking and cross-border crimes, Cuong added. Source: VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA