Political News 8/9 Vietnam hopes for more cooperation in HR development Vietnam has always paid much attention to disadvantaged labour groups in the society and is willing to enhance cooperation and experience sharing in human resources development, President Truong Tan Sang has said. He made the remarks in Hanoi on September 6 while hosting a reception for heads of delegations attending the 6th APEC Human Resources Development Ministerial Meeting. The President welcomed the representatives from the 21 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) economies, who were here to discuss issues of common concern in an increasing globalisation context. He expressed his delight at the success of the meeting, with many initiatives put forth as well as a joint statement and an action plan adopted. After nearly 30 years of reform, Vietnam has entered a new period of development in which human resources is considered one of the strategic breakthroughs for the national industrialisation and modernisation, and international integration, he said. Since it joined the forum 16 years ago, Vietnam has been an active and responsible member of the APEC, he stated, adding that the country has also worked closely with other members in stepping up priortised cooperation areas, especially human resources. The State leader said he hopes APEC will continue promoting its role as the engine of the global economic growth and connectivity, and member economies will continue supporting Vietnam in successfully realising its comprehensive integration policy in the future. He also called for their assistance for Vietnam so that it can successfully host the 2017 APEC Summit, thus contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the Asia-Pacific region and the world. The guests appreciated the preparations of Vietnam’s ministries for the meeting, saying that with the success of the event, the APEC economies will enhance their collaboration in human resources and work together to realise the joint statement. The head of the Indonesian delegation shared his country’s experience in human resources development, with regard to support policies for vulnerable groups. He said that Indonesia is keen on partnering with Vietnam in the field. Meanwhile, the head of the Philippine delegation expressed his hope that Vietnam will share experience with his country to help it successfully organise the 7th meeting in 2015. Vietnam’s National Day marked in Belgium, US The Vietnamese Embassy in Belgium on September 5 hosted a banquet on the occasion of the 69th anniversary of Vietnam’s National Day (September 2), with the participation of the Vietnamese community in the country and foreign guests. Ambassador to Belgium, Luxembourg and the European Union (EU) Pham Sanh Chau reviewed achievements Vietnam has gained over the past 69 years, saying that they have been recognised by the international community. He hailed the progress of the relationship between Vietnam and Belgium and the EU as a whole, with a wide range of activities successfully held last year to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the bilateral ties. Praising the great contributions made by the Vietnamese community in Belgium to the national development, the ambassador expressed hope that they will continue promoting solidarity and looking towards the homeland. Participants at the event also had a chance to enjoy Vietnamese music and traditional food. Earlier, Vietnam’s Consulate General in San Francisco, the US, and municipal authorities held a ceremony and raised the Vietnamese flag in celebration of the country’s 69th National Day. Consul General Nguyen Ba Hung and San Francisco’s Chief of Protocol, Charlotte Mailliard Schultz, hoisted the flag together. Ceremony participants included representatives of the Consulate, the US Department of State, the San Francisco-Ho Chi Minh City Sister City Committee and the local Vietnamese community. The guests congratulated the Vietnamese government on the occasion of National Day, expressing their hope that the comprehensive Vietnam-US relations will be deepened further in the future. Schultz handed over a statement signed by Mayor Edwin Lee to Hung, declaring that September 2, 2014, is a day of US-Vietnam heritage and friendship in San Francisco City and County. Vietnam, Hungary seek stronger ties through friendly meeting The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisation (VUFO) and the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association on September 6 held a get-together at the Budapest eco-tourism site in northern Phu Tho province to deepen relations between the two countries. The friendly gathering also aims to celebrate Vietnam’s National Day (September 2) and Hungary’s National Day (August 20). Chairman of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association Nguyen Dang Vang said bilateral friendship and cooperation have unceasingly expanded and developed in a wide range of fields from economics, politics and culture to science-technology and education. He took note of the association’s past activities, including external affairs, information exchange, supporting the Agent Orange/Dioxin victims, and facilitating businesses to boost partnership and mutual understanding with Hungarian partners. Hungarian Deputy Ambassador to Vietnam Horvath Gellert said he hopes the VUFO and the association will hold more practical activities to further deepen the relationship between the two countries. Construction starts on new highway Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung attended a ceremony yesterday to start construction work on a new highway connecting the northern provinces of Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan, as well as the upgrade and expansion of a section of National Highway 3 under a BOT (Build-Operate-Transfer) contract. Both projects have a combined investment of nearly VND2.7 trillion (US$137 million), and will help reduce traffic congestion and accidents on the current National Highway 3. They will also connect northern mountainous provinces with Ha Noi, serving socio-economy development and national security in the northern mountainous region. Addressing the ceremony, PM Dung said the BOT investment in the two projects were in line with the Party's policy of raising capital from all possible sources to invest in socio-economic infrastructure, particularly roads. The PM also asked provincial leaders from Thai Nguyen and Bac Kan to make concerted efforts to resettle citizens who were relocated for the new roads. The new Thai Nguyen-Bac Kan highway will stretch 40km, and will be completed in early 2016. Source: VNS/VNA