Political News 29/9 Vietnam attends ASEAN Family Day in Czech Republic The Vietnamese Embassy joined the embassies of Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippine and Thailand in the annual ASEAN Family Day held in Prague, the Czech Republic, on September 27. Addressing the opening ceremony, Philippine Ambassador to the Czech Republic Victoriano Lecaros, who is also Chair of the ASEAN Committee in Prague (ACP) said the event aims to strengthen solidarity and mutual understanding among ASEAN missions to the country. Participants had a chance to enjoy traditional and unique cuisine and art performances from the ASEAN nations. Vietnam Ambassador to the Czech Republic Truong Manh Son said this year he will take over the Chair of the ACP and the Vietnamese Embassy plans to build a diverse programme imbued with the cultural identities of nations in the Southeast Asian region. At present, more than 65,000 Vietnamese nationals are living in the Czech Republic. Vietnam attends UN human rights session for first time Vietnam attended the 27th annual session of the United Nations Human Rights Council that wrapped up in Geneva, Switzerland on September 26, marking its first presence at the gathering since its membership last year. During the three-week sitting, the top UN human rights watchdog ratified 32 resolutions and decisions, and four president’s statements. Leading the Vietnamese delegation, Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh, head of the Permanent Mission of Vietnam to Geneva delivered a speech, on behalf of ASEAN, at the opening session, and other discussions. He confirmed that the Vietnamese government is determined to protect and promote human rights, and join global efforts in this regard. The Vietnamese side offered feedback on many issues, including the rights of children and women, gender equality and teaching of history. It co-sponsored three draft resolutions on the children’s right to entertainment, the promotion of human rights via sports and Olympics, and girls’ right to education, and at the same time, voted for resolutions on embargo and human rights; the right to development and peace, the use of mercenaries, foreign debts, and a world order of justice and democracy. About a draft resolution on sexual tendency and gender recognition, Vietnam also said yes in view of realities in the country. The council also zeroed in on the rights of the vulnerable, especially violence against children, the rights of the indigenous and Africans, family protection, environmental pollution. Members looked at the status of human rights in Syria, Sri Lanka and the possibility of offering technical guidance on the application of human-based approach to South Sudan, Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Yemen, Sudan and Congo. They debated in depth the annual reports of the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, the UN Commissioner Office and the UN Secretary General that feature the implementation of resolutions reached in the past. Vietnam, Ukraine foster friendship ties The fourth national congress of the Ukraine-Vietnam Friendship Association (UVFA) was held in Hanoi on September 27 in an effort to boost friendship and cooperation between two countries. The meeting elected a new executive board for the 2014-2019 tenure consisting of 33 members, let by Dang Van Chien, Assistant to the Chairman of the National Assembly . Addressing the function, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Organisations (VUFO). Nguyen Thi Hoang Van, highly valued the UVFA’s contributions to the broad bilateral relations. Moreover, Van expressed her wish that the association will promote friendship and partnership with the Vietnamese community in Ukraine, contributing to developing the two countries cooperation, particularly in the fields of commerce and trade, culture and education, science and technology. The association also serves as a link between the Vietnamese and Ukrainian peoples, she added Ukrainian Ambassador to Vietnam Oleksiy Shovkoplia congratulated the UVFA on its successes since its establishment, and reaffirmed that the Ukrainian embassy will actively cooperate with the VUFO and the UVFA to implement progammes and activities to strengthen bilateral relations. There are 10,000 Vietnamese nationals living and working in Ukraine. Ministry to clarify law on sea, islands National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday ordered the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment to clarify the draft law on sea and island resources and environment. Hung said at a discussion session of the NA Standing Committee that it had to clearly define sea resources and the sea environment as well as the responsibility of relevant ministries on managing them.. NA deputy Nguyen Xuan Thao, head of the Institute of Legislative Studies, said that under the draft law, the environment ministry would take responsibility for managing all sea and island resources. "But I think it's unsuitable," he said. He said the environment ministry should manage sea-and-island resources such as oils and mineral. He added that in the meantime, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development should be assigned to manage the exploitation of maritime products. Chairman of the NA Council for Ethnic Minority Affairs, Ksor Phuoc, said he wondered which ministry would manage forests near coastal areas; and forest on islands. The draft law should clarify whether it should be the environment ministry or the agriculture ministry, he said. At a discussion session, most deputies asked the law compiling board to avoid overlaps with current laws. NA deputy Nguyen Hanh Phuc said that there were some overlaps between the draft law and the Law on Minerals. In response, Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Chu Pham Ngoc Hien said that the law covering sea and island resources and environment did not replace the law covering minerals. The draft law has 10 chapters, 76 articles. It regulates integrated management of sea and island resources and environment. At the NA Standing Committee meeting on Thursday, deputies discussed the draft Law on Labour Safety and Hygiene. They said it was essential to build specific regulations and policies to encourage workers to apply safety and hygiene standards while working in areas vulnerable to accidents and occupational diseases. Regarding the Compensation Fund for Work Accidents and Diseases, many deputies agreed to use the fund to support victims to find work and also it to support activities to prevent risks relating to work accidents and diseases. However, they said the draft law should clarify the criteria and conditions for workers to receive financial support from the fund to prevent the abuse of the fund. PM kickstarts power supply to Ly Son Island Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung initiated the 27km underground cable connecting Ly Son island district in the central province of Quang Ngai to the national electricity grid on September 28. The project, started in October last year and finished three months ahead of schedule, makes Ly Son the third island district in the country to join the national power grid so far, after Co To in northern Quang Ninh province and Phu Quoc in southern Kien Giang province. Islanders can now enjoy a reliable supply of electricity around the clock as opposed to six hours a day in the past. Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, PM Nguyen Tan Dung said the project is significant for socio-economic and cultural development as well as defence and security in the island district. Furthermore, it will improve residents’ living conditions. He praised the efforts of contractors, workers and relevant agencies in ensuring the safety, quality and efficiency of the project. He asked Quang Ngai province and in Ly Son particular to manage the project effectively, contributing to economic growth on the island in all areas and safeguarding national sovereignty over sea and islands. Earlier on September 27, the Government leader held a working session with the key leaders of Quang Ngai province, during which he asked the locality to review its socio-economic circumstances to ensure all objectives are met. At the same time, Quang Ngai should speed up a number of key projects, including the construction of the Highway 1 and Highway 24 sections that run through the locality, and prepare for the upcoming flood season, he said. He also requested the province to outline a plan for 2015 to make full use of its advantages in maritime economy, aquaculture and seafood processing, industry, services and tourism. Meanwhile, Quang Ngai should pay more attention to removing barriers for local enterprises, and undertake more efforts to attract investment in its industrial parks. During the session, the PM provided feedback on a number of Quang Ngai’s proposals regarding financial assistance for ground clearance and resettlement efforts for key industrial and transport projects, and the programme to build new-style rural areas. The same day, Cua Dai bridge in central Quang Nam province, an important link in the north-south coastal road, got final link under the witness of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The Cua Dai bridge project comprises a bridge and two roads connecting Hoi An ancient town, a World Cultural Heritage site, and Duy Xuyen and Thang Binh districts with a combined length of 18.3km. It was built at a total cost of 3.45 trillion VND (162.15 million USD). Speaking at the event, the Government leader highlighted the significance of the bridge in Quang Nam ’s socio-economic development, saying that once completed, the project will create a new momentum for the development of the province’s eastern coastal area. He asked local authorities and units involved to work hard to swiftly put the bridge into operation. The bridge is scheduled to open for trial run in March 2015. Rise in trade, investment ties with Japan Viet Nam wished to enhance its collaboration with Japan in a bid to develop the strategic partnership in a long-term manner, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc told Japanese Ambassador to Viet Nam Hiroshi Fukada during a reception yesterday. He said Viet Nam had a consistent policy of joining Japanese efforts to boost the practical and effective development of bilateral ties. The Japanese Ambassador said Japan saw its partnership with Viet Nam as important and said he wanted the two countries to enhance co-operation on trade, investment, official development assistance, education and training, and culture. More Finns likely to invest in VN Finnish enterprises said they were impressed by Viet Nam's investment potential during a working session with Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai yesterday in Helsinki . At the meeting, representatives of investment projects in Viet Nam spoke highly of the efficiency of their ventures, stating that the country had significantly improved its business climate. They also suggested Viet Nam facilitate more investment projects, especially in the context of the upcoming free-trade agreement between Viet Nam and the European Union. The Vietnamese Deputy PM called upon Finnish enterprises to seek investment opportunities in Viet Nam in green and clean technologies, renewable energy, forestry and education. He said Viet Nam was creating a transparent climate for international partners to do long-term business, while highlighting the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model applied in public projects. Deputy PM Hai also met with Finnish Minister for European Affairs and Foreign Trade Lenita Toivakka. They spoke on measures to boost economic and trade ties. He also visited several major groups and corporations in Finland before leaving for home today. Quang Nam asked to better care for ethnic minorities Authorities from central Quang Nam province need to do more to increase the number of local ethnic minority people escaping poverty and fully benefiting from the State’s social welfare policies. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the emphasis at a working session with the provincial senior officials on September 27 to get updated on the locality’s socio-economic situation. The Government leader asked the province to pay more attention to the issues of health care, education, and culture development, especially among ethnic minority people, a majority of them remains poor. The province needs to help businesses overcome difficulties, while improving the investment climate to enhance competitiveness, supporting farmers in modernising rural areas, and enhancing environmental protection. Proper policies should be devised to draw hi-tech, energy-saving and environmentally friendly investment projects and human resources development and vocational training should be given a focus, PM Nguyen Tan Dung said. For a rapid and sustainable growth, the province should continue capitalising on its strengths of agriculture, forestry, aquaculture and tourism, he added. The Prime Minister asked authorities to work harder to realise the 2014 growth targets and prepare plans for the following years. He also heard proposals about local key projects such as the building of a gas-power centre at Chu Lai Open Economic Zone and the expansion of National Highway 1A. In the first nine months of this year, Quang Nam recorded positive outcomes in industrial production, food, and services, which registered a year-on-year increase of 20 percent, 6.2 percent and 21 percent, respectively, in revenue. Azerbaijan centre opens in Hanoi The Centre for Azerbaijani History and Culture Studies was established in the capital city on September 26. The centre's director, Ngo Kim Thu, said it would reinforce cultural exchanges between Vietnam and Azerbaijan. "The centre's establishment marks an advance in the diplomatic relationship and strengthens mutual understanding between two countries," she said. She said it would help connect people of both countries who are interested in each other's culture and history. Some senior Vietnamese experts will work at the centre as advisors in researching local culture and introduce the nation's traditional values to the people of Azerbaijan. In the future, the centre will host diplomatic and cultural activities relating to Azerbaijan, Thu said, adding that those interested in the country's culture can visit the centre at 80 Tran Thai Tong Street in Cau Giay District. Vietnam, Slovakia renew judicial cooperation Slovakian Prime Minister Robert Fico emphasised the importance of resuming judicial cooperation between his country and Vietnam after a 25-year hiatus while receiving Vietnamese Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong in Bratislava on September 26. He expressed his pleasure at the healthy, wide-ranging development of the two countries, saying legal and judicial partnership should be ratcheted up in addition to economics, trade and investment. Minister Cuong briefed the host on Vietnam ’s judicial reform and improvements in the legal system over the past few years. He held high regard for the expansion of bilateral judicial ties in recent time through high-level delegation exchanges and information sharing and was looking forward to learning more experience from Slovakia . Minister Cuong signed a Memorandum of Understanding on legal and judicial cooperation with his Slovakian counterpart Tommas Borec during their earlier talks. They agreed to review and modernise the Mutual Legal Assistance Treaty (MLAT), and consider signing new MLAT agreements on civil, criminal trade and extradition to replace the cooperation documents signed between the two nations since 1982. During the working visit to Slovakia from September 25-29, Minister Cuong is scheduled to work with several Slovakian judicial agencies to share experience and explore cooperation opportunities in the field.  Lao affirms solid comprehensive partnership with Vietnam Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavath Lengsavad reiterated his nation’s unwavering comprehensive partnership with Vietnam at a meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Vu Van Ninh in Hanoi on September 27. The Lao Deputy PM said, “The world may change, but the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries remains unchanged”. Lengsavad said he hopes that his working visit will help accelerate the progress of energy and oil cooperation with Vietnam and effectively exploit potentiality of Lao rivers and lakes to build hydroelectric projects. Deputy PM Ninh stated that both nations’ energy cooperation should be focused on properly taping natural resources to ensure sustainable development for mutual benefit. He applauded the recent results of comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and their efforts to implement commitments towards the successful organization of the 37th meeting of the Intergovernmental Committee slated for later this year and new trade agreement negotiations. Ninh suggested the Lao Government continue to offer favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to run long-term investments in Laos, including Luongphabang Hydroelectric Project by Petrovietnam Power Corporation (PV Power). The Vietnam Government has directed the petroleum industry to continue carrying out this project as committed to the Lao Government if research and evaluation of the Mekong River Commission (MRC) show no remarkable impacts on the environment and Mekong River water resources, Ninh added. Source: VNA/VNS/VOV