Political News 28/8 NA Party committee praised for judicial reform efforts President Truong Tan Sang commended the National Assembly (NA) Party Committee’s efforts to put the Politburo’s implementation strategy for judicial reforms into practice during a working session on August 27 with the committee in Hanoi. President Sang, who also acts as head of the Central Steering Committee for Judicial Reform said these efforts have had an effect on the NA’s development of legal frameworks, and the supervision and inspection of judicial agencies. Under the committee’s leadership the NA had made progress in law-making and legal system reform in terms of judicial organisational structures and modes of operation. Many adjustments and supplementations have been made to judicial laws, contributing to the enhanced effectiveness of judicial reform, he said. President Sang also pushed for further improvements to the quality of law-making and called for an increase in supervising judicial activities and agencies by elected supervisory bodies, as well as controls for the powers of judicial agencies. He also requested the NA’s supervisory function over judicial activities to be enhanced and effective measures for addressing problems to be developed, in accordance with the 2013 Constitution. The President also emphasised the importance of close coordination between ministries and the NA in accelerating the institutionalisation of laws. On his part, NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, Secretary of the NA Party Committee, acknowledged President Sang’s opinions. During the process of institutionalising legal regulations, it is necessary to define clear roles for judicial agencies regarding legal procedures and exercising legal power, as well as developing control mechanisms for each other, he said. He shared President Sang’s view on the need to improve the supervisory efficiency of elected supervisory agencies. Vietnam proposes measures to strengthen role of ASEAN navy Vietnam contributed to ASEAN’s vision for its naval forces post-2015 – when ASEAN will be formally established as a community during the eighth ASEAN Navy Chiefs’ Meeting in Bangkok on August 27. Vietnam has proposed the Community focus on building trust and solidarity amongst the respective navies to form a united bloc capable of safeguarding security and safety in the East Sea and throughout the region, Colonel Nguyen Ngoc Vinh, head of the Department for External Relations at the Vietnam People’s Navy Headquarters, said during a side event. Relations between the navies of ASEAN member countries should be developed in a pragmatic way, he said, adding that this meeting is particularly significant in the context of the association becoming a single community in 2015. ASEAN naval forces are scheduled to take part in a joint parade in 2017, which is anticipated to improve relationships and cooperation, and portray a positive image to the international community, he noted. Over the past years, a number of Vietnamese initiatives have been implemented, including setting up hotlines to exchange information, holding regular meetings and the organising of joint patrols, Colonel Vinh said. These measures have significantly improved mutual trust, which in turn has contributed to safeguarding peace, stability, security and safety in the East Sea; and created favourable conditions for the development and prosperity of ASEAN, he added. During the event, the association’s naval chiefs discussed a number of measures to reinforce mutual trust, confidence and understanding. They also agreed on the development of a roadmap for the ASEAN naval forces. Initiated in 2001, the meeting is a chance for all parties to increase their understanding of each other, and improve collaboration on the implementation of a range of activities, including conducting joint sea rescues, and addressing piracy and legal violations at sea. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) includes Brunei, Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Indonesia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam. Party leader visits Ha Giang Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong on August 27 visited Binh Vang Industrial Zone in Vi Xuyen district and a number of local businesses as part of his trip to northern Ha Giang province. In his address at the Binh Minh Agro-Forestry Joint Stock Company, the Party leader urged the province to utilize potential to develop medicinal herbs thus reducing poverty and improving people’s lives. The same day, the Party leader worked with Ha Giang Provincial Party Committee and key local leaders. The Party Chief said Ha Giang is located in a strategic position in terms of security and national defense, therefore the locality needs to focus on implementing all targets set at the 15th Congress of the Provincial Party Committee and to prepare for the Party Congress at various levels. Trong  pointed out that the upcoming provincial Party Congress will give the locality a chance to strengthen the Party’s organisation and its political system. Ha Giang should also continue to implement the Party’s Central Committee’s resolution on party building as well as the Politburo’s direction on intensifying the study and pursuit of President Ho Chi Minh’s moral guidelines. Trong also praised the province’s achievements in all areas, with GDP growth hitting 10.35 percent per year in the 2011-2013 period. He emphasized the need to apply hi-tech advances in agricultural and forestry production, restructure the crops, improve the quality of the mining sector and promote tourism and border trade. Also that day, the Party Chief also visited Thanh Thuy border gate. Seminar sheds light on Ho Chi Minh’s testament The Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics on August 27 hosted a symposium reviewing 45 years of carrying out President Ho Chi Minh’s testament. More than 50 reports presented by scientists and historical researchers highlighted the great values of President HCM’s testament and lessons of experience after implementing his testament over the past 45 years. Professor. Dr. Ta Ngoc Tan, Party Central Committee member and Academy Director said, “The testament’s content shows historical stature and great value of Vietnam's revolutionary cause. The event gives us the chance to assess the results obtained from the 45-year process of implementing the testament aiming to better perform HCM President’s teachings.” “His sacred testament has always been a major source of encouragement and an important guidance for our army and people to win the resounding victories in the cause of liberation of southern Vietnam for national reunification, thus helping the country advance socialism and outline directions on how to develop Vietnam in the next periods. His testament is an immortal work and the HCM President a great thinker of our time." Tan stressed. Additionally, the seminar touched upon the main contents of the  testament such as building a transparent and powerful ruling Party, implementing socio-economic development policies, utilizing human resources, improving  people's lives, pursuing the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and strengthening international solidarity to contribute to promoting the world revolution. Int’l experts share anti-corruption experience Int’l experts from the World Bank (WB) and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) shared experience in anti-corruption with Vietnam at a conference in Vung Tau City on August 27. They talked about international anti-corruption experience in public procurement and public financial management, transparency of State employees’ assets, prevention of interest conflicts, and improvement of accountability responsibility and citizens’ information access. The Government Inspectorate of Vietnam also analysed regulations on corruption prevention and control of the UN Convention Against Corruption (UNCAC) and Vietnam’s anti-corruption measures. Deputy Chief Government Inspector Tran Duc Luong affirmed Vietnam’s determination to push back corruption through completing the legal system and enhancing accountability responsibility, transparency of property, inspection, investigation, and properly prosecuting and handling corruption cases. However, in the context of more complicated and sophisticated corruption situation, Vietnam needs to learn hands-on experience from international partners, Luong noted. Embassy in Russia holds National Day reception Vietnamese Ambassador to Russia Pham Xuan Son and his wife held a banquet in Moscow on August 26 commemorating the 69th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (Sept. 2). Distinguished guests attending the event included leaders and staff of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs, representatives of Russian organisations, diplomatic corps and international organisations. Ambassador Son said the assistance of international friends from around the world, particularly Russian people, has been instrumental to Vietnam’s past achievements. Vietnam considers Russia one of its strategic partners in the world, the diplomat said, adding political ties between the two countries have developed well on a high level of trust.   Son announced his term was coming to a close and expressed his sincere appreciation to the Government of Russia and all those who supported him in accomplishing his work. Russian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Igor Morgulov in turn spoke highly of Son’s significant contributions to strengthening Russia-Vietnam relations, and hoped the Vietnamese diplomat will work harder to bring bilateral relationship to new heights. Russia-Vietnam Friendship Association representatives presented Ambassador Son souvenirs. Source: VNS/VOV/VNA