Political News 29/10 Vietnamese Ambassador to Qatar presents credentials The Vietnamese Ambassador to Qatar Nguyen Hoang has recently presented his credentials to the Qatari Emir Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani. In a reception for the diplomat on the occasion, the king vowed to bolster the multifaceted cooperation between the two nations and said he hopes to welcome Vietnam’s president Truong Tan Sang to Qatar at an appropriate time. In addition, Qatar’s emir pledged to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese partners exporting worker to the country, which has contributed to Qatar’s economic development. On his part, Ambassador Nguyen Hoang said he would do his best to boost the Vietnam-Qatar friendship and cooperation. Qatar pledges favourable conditions for guest workers At a recent welcoming reception for Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Hoang, the Emir of the State of Qatar Tamin Bin Hamad Al Thani proposed increasing labour cooperation with the Southeast Asian nation.   Qatar will create the best possible conditions for Vietnamese labour exporters to send guest workers to the country, Emir Tamin told Ambassador Hoang. Vietnamese guest workers contribute greatly to the economic development of Qatar, the Emir said, adding that the two sides should create a legal framework for expanded overall cooperation. At the reception for Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Hoang who presented his credentials, the Emir spoke highly of Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements in recent times and underscored the fact that he places great emphasis on strengthening multilateral cooperation between the two countries. He expressed his hope that State President Truong Tan Sang will visit Qatar in the near future. For his part, Ambassador Hoang briefed the host on Vietnam’s current socio-economic situation and affirmed that he will do his utmost to foster multifaceted cooperation between the two sides. Vietnamese, Lao news agencies boost cooperation The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Lao news agency KPL have agreed to forge deeper links in future, focussing on improving the quality of the news stories exchanged between the two sides and the dissemination of information on the two nations’ special friendship. The two agencies reached this agreement during talks between VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi and his KPL counterpart Sounthone Khanthavong in Hanoi on October 28. The host and guest reviewed their relationship in 2014 and discussed measures to foster ties in 2015 under the protocol on press cooperation, which the two sides signed for the 2011-2015 period. The VNA leader appreciated KPL’s effective support in adding VNA’s Vnews television channel to the Lao cable and satellite system, assuring that VNA will send experts to help the Lao news agency improve its technical facilities and train personnel. The two sides will continue their cooperation on the publication of the Vietnam Pictorial in Lao, and the introduction of VNA’s electronic newspaper Vietnamplus.vn, and Vietnam Pictorial (in Lao) to readers via KPL’s website. The two agencies’ leaders concurred that they will instruct relevant units to draft a protocol on cooperation for 2016-2020, which is expected to be signed by the end of 2015. During their stay in Vietnam from October 27-November 2, the KPL delegation will hold a working session with representatives from the northern province of Ninh Binh. Deputy Prime Minister asks for job market database Over 1.2 million workers secured new jobs domestically, while more than 91,000 were employed internationally between January and October, according to the Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs. By September 30, nearly 402,000 people registered as unemployed, the Ministry reported to Deputy Prime Minister Vu Duc Dam at a working session in Hanoi on October 28. The nation is now home to 1,421 vocational training centres, which enrolled 623,000 students for this year’s courses. Deputy PM Dam asked the ministry to set up a database on the job market, develop the capacity of employment centres, and radically improve the quality of vocational training. At the session, the ministry also reported that over 11.3 million people were covered by social insurance. Over 1.4 million people, who rendered services to the nation’s revolutionary cause, and their relatives are entitled to a monthly State allowance. From January to August, over 7,500 houses were built and 6,000 were renovated for social policy beneficiaries. Towards the end of 2014, the household poverty rate is expected to drop to 5.8-6 percent, down by 1.8-2 percent compared to last year. Over 204,300 people were registered as drug addicts during the first nine months of this year, with 32,200 seeking treatment at 142 rehabilitation centres. More than 19,000 are under supervision after a rehabilitation period. Ho Chi Minh City, Vientiane agree to cement ties Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane capital should bolster their links in economics and trade, contributing to strengthening the special solidarity and traditional friendship between Vietnam and Laos, said Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, Vientiane Governor. The Vientiane Governor asked the city for its further support in building state management systems in finance, banking, real estate, tourism and judicial reform during a meeting with Secretary of the municipal Party Committee Le Thanh Hai in HCM City on October 27. Sinlavong thanked the Vietnamese city for its recent assistance for Vientiane, which has helped the capital construct schools and sport facilities, equip computers and provide scholarships for Lao students and pupils. For his part, Hai said HCM City’s authorities will do their utmost to further reinforce the special solidarity with the Lao capital. He applauded the models of visit exchange and experience sharing between the two localities, saying that HCM City is willing to share its experience with Vientiane. During the meeting, host and guest briefed each other on the socio-economic development and the party-building work in their respective locality. They agreed to assign their relevant authorities to work out plans to boost cooperation between the two sides. As scheduled, the Vientiane guest will make a fact-finding tour to high-tech agricultural and high-tech parks in HCM City. HCM City’s leader welcomes Russian guest Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City’s People Committee Le Hoang Quan has proposed the city and Russia further boost bilateral cooperation in various fields, especially economics, culture, education-training and tourism. Chairman Quan made the proposal during his October 27 meeting in HCM City with a delegation of the association of closed cities of the Russia’s Rosatom State Nuclear Energy Corporation led by Golubev Aleksei Viktorovich, Mayor of Sarov city, Nizhegorodsky province. Quan highlighted the good collaboration between HCM City and Russia, saying that the city has signed cooperation programmes with four Russian cities and organised a number of research, investment promotion activities and market studies. HCM City now has 20 Russian-invested projects worth 45 million USD, he said, adding that two-way turnover between the city and Russia reached 400 million USD. The city welcomed 78,000 Russian visitors in the first nine months of this year. For his part, Golubev Aleksei Viktorovich expressed his hope that the current visit will promote direct links between the Rosatom’s closed cities and HCM City, the southern economic hub, especially in atomic energy and hi-tech. A large number of Vietnamese students studying in the Rosatom’s closed cities is important resource for Vietnam in developing the future application of nuclear, said the Sarov Mayor. He said he hopes that the Rosatom’s closed cities and HCM City will enhance experience sharing and investment with a view to promoting bilateral ties between the two sides. NA discusses draft laws on civil status, citizens’ identity National Assembly (NA) deputies debated the draft Laws on Civil Status and Citizens’ Identity during their plenary sitting on October 28 as part of the ongoing 8th session of the 13th NA. They also heard reports on the draft Law on the Promulgation of Legal Documents by Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong and Head of the NA Law Committee Phan Trung Ly. On October 29, the legislative body is scheduled to hear reports on the Long Thanh International Airport project and the draft Law on the Amendments and Supplements to the Law on Civil Aviation. The lawmakers will discuss the draft revised Law on State Budget and the revised State Audit Law. Deputy PM welcomes Lao News Agency delegation Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc received a delegation from the Lao News Agency KPL led by General Director Sounthone Khanthavong in Hanoi on October 28. At the reception, Deputy PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who is also head of the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Sub-committee, said that the effective collaboration between KPL and the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has greatly contributed to the development of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. He proposed that the two news agencies further promote bilateral cooperation and together improve the quality of all forms of news, adding that his sub-committee will create all possible conditions for them to improve the capacity of their staff. For his part, Sounthone Khanthavong praised the joint efforts of VNA and KPL in implementing agreements and protocols signed by the two countries, in a bid to enhance the effectiveness of information work. He also expressed his hope to receive more cooperation and support from the Vietnamese side in information exchange, human resources training and technology. Source: VNA/VOV/VNN