Political News 1/8 Vietnamese agencies work to ensure safety for citizens in Libya The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs and Vietnamese representative agencies in Libya and other regional countries to ensure the optimum safety for the Vietnamese citizens there. Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Le Hai Binh told reporters at a regular press conference in Hanoi on July 31, emphasising that the agencies have devised proper, necessary protection plans. He said some 1,550 Vietnamese are working in Libya , mostly in non-violence areas. The Foreign Ministry had earlier directed Vietnamese representative offices to keep a close watch and coordinate with local relevant agencies to support and protect the Vietnamese citizens. The Vietnamese Embassy in Libya has regularly kept in touch with the citizens to update them with the fresh developments and provide swift support. The embassy has also set up two hotlines - +00218 926 903 041 and +00218 923 654 587 – which are available round the clock for the Vietnamese citizens in Libya . The Consular Department of the Foreign Ministry also opened its direct hotline: 0084 918370497 to assist them in case of emergency. Action plan aims to increase transparency in ODA use Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved an action plan on improving the implementation of projects and programmes using official development assistance (ODA) and preferential loans in the 2014-15 period. Under the plan, the Ministry of Planning and Investment will be responsible for devising a project on attraction, management and use of ODA capital and preferential loans from 2016 to 2020. The ministry will review ongoing ODA-funded projects and programmes as well as consider those expected to use ODA and soft loans in order to ensure that they do not exceed the public and government debt ceiling approved by the National Assembly. These projects are expected to be submitted to the Government in the last quarter of 2015. The PM also assigned relevant ministries and sectors to perfect the legal system and mechanisms on ODA and preferential loans, while enhancing their capacity in managing and implementing projects. They have been asked to increase transparency, prevent corruption and enhance supervision and assessment work. The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment will build a circular instruction site clearance process, while relevant ministries will collaborate with donors to review all projects, programmes and bidding packages and then propose specific measures to ensure transparency in project management. Government moves to protect people’s life Minister and Chairman of the Government Office Nguyen Van Nen hosted a post-government regular meeting press conference in Hanoi on July 31 in the presence of ministry and sector officials. When asked about the fighting in Libya and measures to protect the Vietnamese working there, Minister Nen confirmed that the Prime Minister and the Government gave special attention to the issue. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has assigned the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs to work closely with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to watch over the situation and get ready to evacuate the workers and ensure their absolute safety, Minister Nen said. Regarding the organisations and individuals relating to the repeated breakdown of the water pipelines linking with the Da river, Nen affirmed the Government has directed relevant agencies, including the Ministry of Construction and the Hanoi municipal People’s Committee, to quickly fix the problem. Meanwhile, Vice Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam Nguyen Dong Tien cleared queries concerning the Police Investigation Police’s detention of several executives of the Ho Chi Minh City-based realty Thien Thanh Group with one of them being the ex-leader of the Vietnam Construction Bank. Police has commenced legal proceedings against the case. Tien said the central bank has adopted support measures, including a plan to ensure the bank’s operation cannot be affected. People should believe in the measures taken by the Government and the State Bank, Tien said. Deputy PM Minh to attend ASEAN Meetings in Myanmar Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will attend the 47th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting (AMM-47) and related meetings to take place in Myanmar from August 5-10. The related meetings include a meeting between ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference Plus One (PMC +1) sessions with ASEAN’s Dialogue Partners, the 15th meeting between ASEAN and three Northeast Asian nations (ASEAN Plus Three – APT), the fourth East Asia Summit’s Foreign Ministerial Meeting (EAS FMM-4) and the 21st ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF). The meetings will review recent cooperation within ASEAN, and between ASEAN and its partners, and discuss measures to boost future cooperation. They will also touch upon regional and international issues of mutual concern. Deputy PM Minh’s participation in these events shows Vietnam’s efforts to consolidate solidarity and increase cooperation in building a united, resilient ASEAN community, bringing into full play the central role of the grouping in maintaining peace, stability, security and cooperation in the region, as well as broadening relations with partners for the sake of common interests. Source: VNA/VOV/VNN