Political News 10/9 USAID’s official visit to Da Nang City Denise Rollins, Acting Assistant Administrator for the Bureau for Asia of the US Agency for International Development (USAID), paid a working visit to the central city of Da Nang on September 9. Upon inspecting the dioxin detoxification project at Da Nang Airport, she praised the pace of the project’s implementation and the cooperation of Vietnamese relevant agencies. Launched earlier this year, as a joint effort of Vietnam and US, the project aims to detoxicate about 80,000 cubic metres of dioxin-contaminated soil and mud. Da Nang Airport is referred to as a dioxin hot spot, together with several other sites in other provinces including Bien Hoa Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai. The vice director also visited Da Nang Orthopaedics and Rehabilitation Hospital and met with partners in the private sector. Hanoi hosts Asia-Europe roundtable on peace and security Representatives from peoples’ organisations in Asia and Europe are assembling in Hanoi for a two-day roundtable on peace and security in the two continents. At the opening ceremony on September 9, Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) President Vu Xuan Hong called on delegates to work out measures to promote peace and ensure security in Asia and Europe. Participants dilated at length on the peace and security situation in the regions in 2013 and early months of 2014, and pointed out a number of challenges facing citizens of both continents. They also shared experience in settling conflicts, boosting cooperation and strengthening solidarity in the region. The Hanoi roundtable is part of a series of events being staged in a number of countries in preparation for the 10th Asia-Europe People’s Forum (AEPF), scheduled for Milan, Italy, from October 10-12. The event is being jointly organised by the Vietnam Peace and Development Foundation under the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the External Relations Board of the 10th Asia-Europe People's Forum. The upcoming forum will dwell on these topics: Socially Just Trade and Investment; Universal Social Protection – Guaranteed decent jobs, access to Essential Services and Social Security;   Food Sovereignty and Sustainable Land and Natural Resource Management; Climate Change, Sustainable Energy Production and Zero Waste; and  Peace and Security. Viet Nam boost links with international archives body Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam yesterday received a delegation from the Southeast Asia Regional Branch of the International Council on Archives (Sarbica) and international speakers, led by Chairman Mustari Irawan. He urged the council to help Viet Nam meet the current demands of the Viet Nam Archives and contribute to the establishment of the country's e-Government system. The Vietnamese Government would continue creating conditions for Vietnamese archivists to take part in the professional and scientific activities of Sarbica, he said. Irawan said the archives of countries needed to increase their co-operation in organising scientific activities to help tackle challenges relating to professional issues, particularly in the management of electronic archives. Tatarstan vows to strengthen Viet Nam-Russia ties Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh called on the Republic of Tatarstan, a federal subject of Russia, to play an active part in promoting the Vietnamese-Russian comprehensive strategic partnership. Ties between Viet Nam and Russia are excelling across a range of fields, including trade, oil and gas, nuclear power and military techniques, Minh told Tatarstan President R. Minnikhanov at a reception on Monday. He highlighted the significance of further lifting co-operation between localities in Viet Nam and Tatarstan and suggested Tatarstan use its strengths to enhance bilateral co-operation in education and training, scientific research, oil and gas, engineering, agriculture and tourism. President R. Minnikhanov said Tatarstan saw the potential to work with Viet Nam in many fields, vowing to devise concrete proposals to boost linkages and strengthen the Vietnamese-Russian partnership. Myanmar Parliament Speaker concludes Vietnam visit Myanmar Parliament Speaker Thura U Shwe Mann left Ho Chi Minh City on September 9, ending his five-day official visit to Vietnam. The Myanmar legislator held talks with Vietnam National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and paid a courtesy visit to Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and State President Truong Tan Sang. During talks and meetings, both sides affirmed the significance of the visit, saying it would help strengthen the traditional friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar, especially in legislation. They agreed to boost bilateral cooperation in such fields as economics, trade, and investment to take advantage of their similarities in history, culture and geography. They expressed strong belief in the two countries’ effective cooperation in agriculture, energy, telecommunications, finance, and banking sectors. Hosts and guests also pledged to promote the exchange of visits and legislative experience sharing, and to provide the best possible conditions for investors to run business in one or the other country. While staying in Vietnam, the Myanmar Parliament Speaker met with representatives from the Association of Vietnamese Investors in Myanmar (AVIM) and the Myanmar-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Group, as well as leaders of HCM City. Prince Andrew hails Vietnam-UK Network contributions   The Vietnam and UK business communities play an immensely important role in strengthening bilateral trade relations, said Prince Andrew, Duke of York, at a Vietnam-UK Network luncheon in London on September 9. The luncheon, which doubled as a farewell party to outgoing Vietnamese Ambassador to the UK Vu Quang Minh, was attended by a host of leading representatives of prominent companies. Companies attending the event included Harvey Nash, Roll Royce, Standard Charter, Dragon Capital and a large number of Vietnamese enterprises in the UK, to name just a few. Speaking at the luncheon, Vietnam-UK Network Chairman Ben Chapman explained to the Duke of York that the organisation’s overall goal is to serve as a bridge between the two peoples, working to strengthen friendship and cooperation. Over past 18 months, the network has organised a series of activities in hopes of cultivating bilateral relations and has received the avid support of the two sides’ governments and business communities. Vietnam-UK Network Vice President Paul Smith also talked about upcoming activities and expressed his desire that the network will receive huge support of the Duke of York in promoting high-level visits to Vietnam. He also asked for the Duke’s support in encouraging UK small and medium sized enterprises to invest in Vietnam – a potential market of more than 90 million consumers. For his part, the Duke of York spoke highly of the role the network has played in developing and improving UK-Vietnam relations and voiced his strong support for strengthening the ties. He also thanked the ambassador Minh for his contributions to consolidating and strengthening the ties of friendship between the UK and Vietnam over the last three years and hoped the diplomat will continue fostering bilateral relations. Source: VNS/VNA/VOV