Brief Political News 21/7 Vietnam concerned about escalating Israel-Hamas conflict Vietnam is deeply concerned about the seriously escalating violence between Israel and the Hamas movement which caused civilian casualties, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh told reporters on July 18. “We call on the parties concerned to cease fire, resume talks and support efforts by international community to bring back peace and stability to the region soon,” he said. Vietnam fosters ties with Dominican Republic A delegation from the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) paid a visit to Dominican Republic on July 15-18 to further enhance ties between the two countries. The four-day visit, led by Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan, was made at the invitation of the Unified Left Movement of Dominica (MIU). During the talks with MIU General Secretary Miguel Mejia, Quan reiterated that the friendship between CPV and MIU has been growing with many signed bilateral agreements. He said he hopes the two sides will continue working closely to accelerate bilateral relations. Lauding the socio-economic achievements that the Dominican Republic has gained over the past years as well as MIU’s contributions to the country’s development, Quan expressed belief that with the efforts by the government and political parties, including the MIU, Dominican people will record more success in their development process. Regarding China’s illegal placement of its Haiyang Shiyou – 981 oil rig in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, Quan underscored that the act seriously violated Vietnam’s sovereignty, infringed international law and threatened maritime security and safety in the East Sea . He said Vietnam is determined to resolutely safeguard its sovereignty and legitimate rights in accordance with international law, and demands China not to repeat such illegal move again. For his part, Miguel Mejia affirmed MIU’s constant support to Vietnam in its cause of national construction and development. He said CPV’s leadership experience is important to MIU in its process of enhancing its role in Dominican politic system. The MIU leader also pledged to continue exerting efforts to foster the friendship and cooperation between the two parties and peoples, as well as the two country’s partnership in economics, trade and investment. During the visit, the CPV delegation paid a courtesy call to Vice President Margarita Cedeno de Fernandez and attended a special session of the Dominica National Congress. They also had meetings with speakers of the Senate and the Chamber of Deputies of the Dominican National Congress and held working sessions with a number of Dominican government officials. During the meetings, Quan proposed that the two countries soon launch negotiations for agreements on investment encouragement and protection, and double tax avoidance, while creating favourable conditions for businesses of both countries to seek opportunities in each other’s market. He suggested that the Dominican Republic recognise Vietnam’s market economy status and support the country’s bid for a non-permanent seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure. Quan also informed the host of the East Sea tension and Vietnam’s constant stance of settling disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS). Dominican officials stated that they will continue working hard to bolster the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, especially in economics and trade. Regarding the East Sea issue, they spoke highly of Vietnam’s attitude of restraint and goodwill, as well as its stance of seeking peaceful solutions. They underscored that national sovereignty of all countries as well as international law must be respected. Algerian talk on 60th anniversary of Geneva Accords The Vietnam Embassy in Algeria on July 20 hosted a round-table discussion marking the 60th anniversary of the signing of the Geneva Accords which brought a truce in Vietnam (1954 - 2014). Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Vu The Hiep reviewed the negotiation process leading to the signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords on peace in Vietnam. He also analysed the results of the Geneva Conference and the major contents of the Accords and highlighted their significance to the struggle for national liberation and gaining independence and freedom towards unity, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Vietnam as well as national liberation movements in the world. “The lessons learnt from the negotiations and the signing of the accords remain instrumental in boosting Vietnam’s current process of renovation, construction and defence. Reports presented at the talk helped clarify the meaning, importance and impact of the signing of the 1954 Geneva Accords on peace in Vietnam and Indochina, the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) and President Ho Chi Minh that led to Vietnam’s diplomatic victory at that time.” Ambassador Hiep noted. On this occasion, Hiep reaffirmed Vietnam's stance refuting erroneous views that misrepresented or disclaimed the results and significance of the Geneva Accords and resolutely rejecting distorted allegations relating to Vietnam’s sovereignty over the Truong Sa (Spratly) and Hoang Sa (Paracel) archipelagos. The Vietnamese diplomat also expressed gratitude to contributors to the national independence and freedom and international friends who supported the just struggle of the Vietnamese people. Vietnam attends anniversary of Nicaragua’s revolution victory Head of the Vietnamese Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan on July 19 attended a meeting to celebrate the 35th anniversary of victory of the Sandinista revolution in the Nicaraguan capital city of Managua. Addressing the event, Nicaraguan President and Chairman of the Sandinista National Liberation Front (FSNL) Daniel Ortega recalled the history of the heroic struggle for the national independence following Augusto Sandino’s ideology, which peaked with the victory on July 19, 1979, overthrowing the Somoza dictatorship. He expressed his thanks to Cuba and other regional countries for their support for Nicaragua during its revolutionary cause in the past and national construction at present. The president affirmed the spirit “Christ, socialism and solidarity” with which Nicaragua builds the country, stressing that it will continue strengthening the national unity to fight poverty as well as boosting connectivity with other countries to overcome challenges in the new era. 60 years of Geneva Agreement conference marked in Hanoi The Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 18 held a ceremony in Hanoi to mark the signing of the Geneva Agreement 60 years ago, on cessation of hostilities in Vietnam. The 60th anniversary ceremony was attended by President Truong Tan Sang, government officials and international diplomatic representatives. "The Geneva Agreement, which was signed on July 20, 1954, asked France and all other countries who attended the Geneva Conference, to respect the independence and territorial integration of Vietnam," said Sang. The signing of the agreement was an important milestone in Vietnamese people’s struggle for national liberation, opening up a new period for the Vietnamese Revolution towards total national liberation and unification, he said. The Geneva Conference was the first of its kind, in which the French government and each participating country pledged to respect the sovereignty, independence, unity, territorial integrity, and non-intervention in internal affairs of Vietnam. President Sang noted that although sixty years have elapsed, the agreement teaches Vietnam valuable lessons in the cause of national construction and defence. He listed a number of lessons that Vietnam can draw from, including upholding the spirit of national independence and self-reliance in defending national interests, bringing into full play the role of diplomacy in tackling disputes in accordance with international law, and increasing the aggregate strength of the great unity bloc in national development. Vietnam is a peace-loving nation and it is determined to resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity, he concluded. Vietnam hopes for peace, stability in Ukraine Vietnam has called on concerned parties in Ukraine to exercise restraint, avoid taking actions that further complicate the situation and cause losses for civilians and try their best, through dialogue, to find a peaceful solution for peace, stability and development in the country and the region. Foreign Ministry Spokesman Le Hai Binh made the statement in Hanoi on July 18 while answering reporters’ queries on Vietnam’s response to the tensions in eastern Ukraine in recent days. “Vietnam is extremely worried about complicated developments and escalating violence in eastern Ukrainian provinces,” he stated. Regarding the situation of the Vietnamese community in Ukraine, especially in the eastern region, the Consular Department under the Foreign Ministry said that about 5,000 Vietnamese people are living, studying and working in eastern Ukraine , including 300-400 in Donetsk and surrounding areas. The Ukrainian administration has agreed to coordinate with the Vietnamese side in ensuring security and safety for the Vietnamese community there. The Foreign Ministry has also drawn out plans to evacuate Vietnamese citizens if necessary. Meanwhile, the Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine has set up a board to ensure safe evacuations in emergency cases as well as to assist evacuees. In May and June, some Vietnamese families in eastern Ukraine sent their children to the country’s other regions or to Vietnam. Since early July, when the tension grows, many Vietnamese people, including students, have moved to Kiev where they are provided with accommodations. According to the Vietnamese Embassy, no Vietnamese has been killed during hostilities in eastern Ukraine. Korean NA Speaker highlights relations with Vietnam Vietnam-Republic of Korea (RoK) relations have transitioned to that of co equal partners in a strategic partnership for mutual benefit, said the RoK’s newly elected National Assembly Speaker Chung Ui-hwa on July 18. NA Speaker Chung Ui-hwa made the statement at a reception celebrating his recent election as speaker, attended by Vietnamese ambassador to the RoK Pham Huu Chi in Seoul. Ambassador Chi also briefed his host on Vietnam’s current foreign relations and regional situation in recent time and conveyed NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation to NA Speaker Chung Ui-hwa to pay an official visit to Vietnam. He expressed his hope that the RoK’s newly elected NA Speaker will continue to promote future cooperative relations between the two nations. For his part, NA Speaker Chung Ui-hwa highlighted the development of cooperative relations between the two legislative bodies and governments recently. He said that over 60,000 Vietnamese brides have become members of families in the RoK and requested the Vietnam embassy in the RoK work closely with the Korean National Assembly to devise effective solutions to support Vietnamese brides. The RoK leader also suggested both nations should continue to cooperate to make contributions to peace, stability and development in region and support the settlement of disputes through peaceful dialogues in accordance with international law and with international mechanism including the UN. Condolences to Malaysian plane tragedy Vietnamese senior leaders have expressed their condolences and deep sympathy to the Government, people, and families of the victims of the tragic Malaysia Airlines crash in Ukraine. On July 18, President Truong Tan Sang sent a message of condolence to Malaysian King Apdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah following receipt of information that Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crashed in the eastern region of Ukraine a day earlier, killing all 298 passengers and crew members on board. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also conveyed their condolences to their counterparts Najib Tun Razak and Anifa Hj Aman. In response to reporters’ inquiries on the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 crash, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Hai Binh noted that Vietnam was terribly sad upon hearing about the plane tragedy. “We extend our heartfelt condolences to the Government, people, and families of the deceased,” he said. Laos-Vietnam traditional friendship marked Major Lao newspapers have run a series of articles and photos of Vietnam-Laos fine relations marking the 37th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty (July 18). The Pasaxon Daily of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Part hailed the tremendous achievements in the two countries’ friendship and comprehensive cooperation while reviewing the results of bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, defence-security, economics, culture, education-training and human resources development. Other media agencies such as Lao Nation, Vientiane May and Vientiane Times newspapers, Laos News Agency (KPL), and the Lao National Television also praised the growing bilateral cooperation in various fields as well as the traditional friendship and special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Last year’s two-way trade hit a record high of US$1 billion and reached US$766 million in the first half of 2014, up 51 percent from a year earlier. Vietnam has poured approximately US$5 billion into investment projects in Laos, ranking third among foreign investors in the country. Vietnamese embassy assists citizens in eastern Ukraine The Vietnamese Embassy in Ukraine has taken a series of measures to assist Vietnamese people living in Ukraine ’s Eastern combat zones, Ambassador to the Eastern European country Nguyen Minh Tri has said. In an interview granted to Vietnam News Agency correspondents in Kiev on July 17, the ambassador confirmed that about 300-400 Vietnamese were leading a stable life in Donetsk and Lugansk where a military operation targeting pro-federation has been resumed by Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko since July 1. A general evacuation plan for those citizens was approved by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung in May while the Vietnamese Embassy has regularly informed the Vietnamese community of the escalating tension in the region, he said. The embassy worked closely with the Foreign Ministry and the State Committee for Nationalities and Migration as well as transportation sector of the host country to get all conditions ready for the evacuation of Vietnamese people from these areas to Kiev, Tri said. It also called for support from Vietnamese enterprises and families in other cities, such as Kharkov and Odessa , in the work. Currently, children of the Vietnamese families in the areas have been sent home or to other localities that are safe. Many of their parents, however, remain there due to their ongoing business, he said. The Vietnamese Embassy has arranged a number of meetings to advise these people on their future plans, raising impacts from a protracted fighting and the host Ukraine likely amending 300-400 laws when integrating into the EU, Tri said.- Source: VNA/VOV/VNN