Government News 10/11 TPP Agreement unlikely to be reached by the end of 2014 The 12 ministers negotiating the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP) failed to identify a clear course of action to conclude talks by the end of this year at a meeting on the sidelines of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum in Beijing, but agreed to accelerate the negotiation progress as much as possible. Japan’s minister in charge of the Trans-Pacific Partnership talks, Akira Amari, informed the press after the 12 TPP trade chiefs met in the Chinese capital on November 8. One of the current challenges in TPP negotiations is to find a compromise between the US and Japan, who disagree on taxes on sensitive agricultural products, such as rice, wheat, beef, pork and sugar, and on the automobile sector. TPP negotiations were launched in 2005 between Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Peru, Singapore, the United States and Vietnam. Vietnam, Australia foster military ties A high-level military delegation from the Vietnam People's Army embarked on an official visit to Australia at the invitation of the Chief of the Royal Australian Defence Force, Mark Binskin. The visit from November 8-12, led by Chief of the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army and Deputy Defence Minister, Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty, aims to strengthen the friendly relations and defence cooperation between Vietnam and Australia. The two sides will discuss their respective country’s national defence contexts, regional issues of shared concern and measures to effectively implement cooperation within the framework of the "Memorandum of Understanding on Defence Cooperation" signed in 2010 in the line with the Vietnam-Australia comprehensive partnership. The promotion of bilateral defence ties between the two countries looks to contribute to the maintenance of peace, stability and development in the region. President meets Chinese friendship association’s Chairwoman President Truong Tan Sang praised the Chinese People’s Association for Friendship with Foreign Countries (CPAFFC) for its contributions to the neighbourly friendship between Vietnam and China in a meeting with Chairwoman Li Xiaolin in Beijing, China on November 9. Their meeting took place ahead of the 22nd the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation Economic Leaders’ Meeting scheduled for November 10-11 in the capital. The President expressed his hope that the CPAFFC would come up with ideas for exchanges between the two people in the near future, especially on the occasion of the 65 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties next year. Li recalled a number of milestones in the friendship between the two countries, such as the late President Ho Chi Minh’s visit to China in 1955 and the series of friendly exchanges in 2010 to celebrate the 60 th anniversary of Vietnam–China diplomatic ties. She promised to push the CPAFFC to prepare for the anniversary next year. Vietnam Fatherland Front chief meets Cambodian guests President of the Vietnam Fatherland Front’s (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan met with the Vice President and General Secretary of the National Council of the Solidarity Front for the Development of Cambodia’s Motherland, Min Khin, in Ho Chi Minh City on November 8, saying that VFF highly valued its friendships with other countries, including Cambodia. Nhan updated his guest on Vietnam’s political and law-making development, adding that the 2013 Constitution clarified the role of VFF, including fostering people-to-people friendship. Min Khin, who is also the Cambodian Minister of Cults and Religion, said in confidence that the upcoming international conference on setting up the Vietnam–Cambodia border of friendship is sure to strengthen solidarity between the two nations. That same day, Min Khin and the Vice President of the VFF Central Committee Nguyen Van Pha agreed on the key measures needed to prepare for the conference scheduled for December in the southern province of Kien Giang. Earlier, the Cambodian delegation held working sessions in the central province of Binh Thuan and the southern province of Binh Duong. Vietnamese leaders congratulate Cambodia on National Day Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong sent a bouquet of flowers and President Truong Tan Sang sent a congratulatory message to Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni on November 8 on the occasion of the 61 st anniversary of Cambodia’s National Day (November 9). Messages of congratulations were also sent from Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to his counterpart, Samdech Techo Hun Sen, and from National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung to Senate President Samdech Chea Sim and National Assembly President Samdech Heng Samrin. Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh congratulated Cambodian Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Hor Namhong on this occasion. Regional steering committees focus on religious security The Steering Committees for Northwestern, Central Highlands and Southwestern Regions shared their experience in ensuring religious security during their meeting in the northwestern province of Yen Bai on November 8. Participants exchanged their good practices in communications against illegal religious activities and hostile forces’ abuse of religion to drive a wedge between people and the Party and State and cause social disputes. They also discussed measures to build a strong grassroots-level political system, settle issues related to spontaneous migration, ensure religious security and foster the great national solidarity. Addressing the event, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who is head of the Steering Committee for Northwestern Region, said that ethnic minority and religious affairs are issues of significance for every nation in maintaining national solidarity, peace and stability. This is an important matter for the development of the country’s three strategic regions, he noted. He added that over the past year, the three steering committees have fulfilled all tasks entrusted by the Party Central Committee, contributing to promoting the country’s socio-economic development, ensuring defence and security, and building the grassroots-level political system. According to Truong Xuan Cu, deputy head of the Steering Committee for Northwestern Region, since their previous meeting in September last year, the committees have made proposals to the Party Central Committee’s Politburo and Secretariat, the Prime Minister and localities to address arising problems. They have also exerted every effort to speed up the implementation of resolutions and decisions on socio-economic development, security, defence, ethnic minority and religious affairs and political system building, he added. VN-Cambodia Friendship Association reviews 40-year operation The Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association (VCFA) held a seminar in Hanoi on November 7 to review its 40 years of operation. Addressing the event, VCFA President Vu Mao highlighted the significant achievements the association has made during the past four decades, especially providing assistance for flood victims and free medical check-ups for poor people in Cambodia and sponsoring Cambodian students who learn in Vietnam . On behalf of the Cambodian Embassy in Vietnam, Minister Counsellor Phen Savny praised the organisation of such an event on the occasion of the 61st anniversary of Cambodia’s National Day (November 9, 1953-2014). She took the occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for helping the Cambodian people escape from the Khmer Rouge regime in the past as well as providing practical assistance for the country since 1985, particularly in training human resources. At the seminar, participants also put forth measures to uphold the attained achievements and expand operations in the coming time, making the association a bridge for the friendship between the two nations.     Poland’s Independence Day marked in HCM City The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the Ho Chi Minh City chapter of the Vietnam-Poland Friendship Association (VPFA) jointly held a get-together in Ho Chi Minh City on November 7 to mark Poland ’s 96th Independence Day. At the event, President of VPFA HCM City Nguyen Dang Cuong congratulated the Polish people on their national development achievements over the past time. In the past, Poland stood side by side with Vietnam during its two struggles for national independence, he said, adding that the European country has helped train over 7,500 students, technicians and skilled workers for Vietnam . He expressed his belief that the bilateral friendship and cooperation will further develop in the future, especially in economy, culture, trade, investment, and science-technology. Among guests at the event, Polish Ambassador to Vietnam Barbara Szymanowska said that despite geographical distance, the relationship between the two countries have thrived over the past time. With their potential, Vietnam and Poland may step up collaboration in many fields in the time to come, she noted. HCM City wants to cooperate with Japan in personnel training A Ho Chi Minh City official has expressed his wish that Japan will support and cooperate with the city in training human resources, especially managerial staff. At a November 7 reception for Prof Yoshida Kozo, Director General of the Japan National Personnel Authority (JNPA), Vice Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Tat Thanh Cang said his city has close relations with Japanese localities and enterprises. Japan is now one of HCM City ’s biggest investors and most of its businesses have seen fruitful operations in the locality, he added. On his part, Yosida Kozo praised HCM City ’s great development potential, which he said is a foundation for bolstering cooperation between the two sides in many fields, including education and training. Both sides can increase ties in human resources training boasts expertise in this field, he noted, expressing his belief that such cooperation will bridge the relationship between Japan and Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City in particular. Vietnam vows continued support for APEC to strengthen regional links Vietnam will continue to work with APEC member economies in order to step up regional cooperation and consolidate the position of the APEC forum, Vietnam’s representative confirmed at the 26th APEC Foreign and Economic Ministerial Meeting which commenced in Beijing on November 7. Addressing the first plenary session, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh spoke highly of the forum’s development process, which was actively driving global economic growth and increasing the position of the Asian-Pacific region. He called on member economies to strengthen cooperation on sustainable development, narrowing development gaps and ensuring social welfare, poverty eradication, gender equality, and collective responses to global challenges. It was also necessary to concentrate on economic and technical affiliation and enhance the capacity of developing economy members as well as take into consideration the development level of member economies in cooperation, he added. The Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister suggested member economies continue to actively support the sub-regional and regional collaboration programmes, including the establishment of the ASEAN Community in 2015, implementing the master plan on ASEAN connectivity, and narrowing development gaps within the bloc and the Greater Mekong Sub-Region. Addressing the opening ceremony, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi highlighted the special meaning of this year’s conference, which marks the 25th founding anniversary of APEC and the 20th anniversary of the Bogor goals of liberalising and facilitating trade and investment. Ministers agreed that it was important to enhance multilateral cooperation to maintain peace and stability in the region, based on the spirit of mutual trust and shared benefits. They also proposed a number of measures to increase comprehensive links, develop infrastructure, and respond to global challenges, such as natural disasters and corruption. APEC was founded in 1989 and has 21 members, namely Australia, Brunei, Canada, Chile, China, Hong Kong (China), Indonesia, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Philippines, Russia, Singapore, Taiwan (China), Thailand, the US and Vietnam. Representing approximately 40 percent of the world’s population, 55 percent of global economic output and 44 percent of total trade, APEC aims to boost sustainable economic growth built on the three pillars of trade and investment liberalisation, business facilitation, and economic-technological cooperation. Vietnam joined APEC in 1998, and since then the country has played an active role in a number of initiatives. Last September, the 6th APEC Ministerial Meeting on Human Resources Development was successfully held in Hanoi. Vietnam is actively preparing for the APEC Year, which the country will host in 2017. Crime of torture proposed for Criminal Code Torture as a crime should be included in the Criminal Code in order to prevent and address all forms of torture, a number of legal experts proposed. The recommendation was made during an international conference held by the Ho Chi Minh City University of Law and the Vietnam Lawyers’ Association on November 7, with a focus on the UN Convention against Torture and Other Cruel Inhumane or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (UNCAT). The convention was submitted to the National Assembly and will be debated during the ongoing eighth session of the 13 th NA. Participants highlighted the importance of UNCAT, Vietnam ’s obligations to issue regulations in accordance with the convention, and criminal liability of torture as well as the prevention of torture in the first place. According to Prof. Dr Dao Tri Uc from the Hanoi National University , in order to prevent torture, it is necessary to strengthen the legal rights of prisoners and defendants, including the right to remain silent. At the same time, it is important to improve the supervisory role of the National Assembly’s Justice Committee and NA deputies in the field, whilst also completing the Law on State Compensation, he said. Sharing Uc’s opinions, Dr Dao Thi Le Thu from the Ho Chi Minh City University of Lasw suggested acts of torture be criminalised by including it as a crime with punishments similar to those stipulated for crimes in Chapter XXIV of the Criminal Code, which range from 10 years in prison to the death penalty. Meanwhile, Associate Prof. Dr Tran Do, Deputy Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court, highlighted the need to specify measures to prevent torture and complete regulations on the legal status of detainees to safeguard respect for human rights and rights to legal support. During the conference, participants said it is necessary to clarify a number of regulations, including those on cases interrogated at night, the observation of defendants and prisoners’ rights to remain silent, and regulations on professional measures applied during interrogation process. Ho Chi Minh City marks Russia’s October Revolution The 97 th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution (November 1917-2014) was marked at a ceremony in Ho Chi Minh City on Nov. 7. The event was organised by the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association (VRFA) and the liaison board of Vietnamese alumni at Russian universities. Chairman of VRFA, Nguyen Huu Thanh, highlighted the great influence of the October Revolution on Vietnam ’s revolution and development, adding that it provided a solid foundation for the valuable traditional friendship between the two nations. Thanh pledged to do his utmost to bolster the relationship between Vietnam and Russia . The Russian Consul General in HCM City , Anatoly Vasilievich Borovik, said Russia considers Vietnam one of its most important partners in Asia-Pacific. He added that the two countries are fostering diverse and mutually beneficial cooperative ties. According to the Consul General, bilateral relations between Russia and the city were also doing well. Russia has implemented 22 investment projects in the city so far, while two-way trade reached 368 million USD for the first ten months of this year. He also highlighted many strategic projects which have been carried out with Russian support in recent years, such as the Vietsopetro joint venture and the nuclear power plant in Ninh Thuan. Ho Chi Minh City’s People’s Committee and VUFO granted certificates of merit to nine outstanding members of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association , both individuals and groups, on this special occasion. Vietnam-Russia education cooperation in spotlight A roundtable on Vietnamese-Russian cooperation in the field of education, with the support of social organisations, took place in Hanoi on November 7 on the occasion of the 97th anniversary of the Russian October Revolution (November 7, 1917). According to the Vice President of the Vietnam-Russia Friendship Association Ho Anh Dung, Russia has helped train tens of thousands of Vietnamese officials and experts in a number of fields and has supported the country in human resources development since the 1950s. There are currently 6,000-7,000 Vietnamese students enrolled at Russian universities, with numbers increasing by 500-700 students each year and expected to grow by 1,000 from 2015 onwards. The roundtable provided an opportunity for educational managers and teachers to gain an overview of the main issues in education and training cooperation between the two countries. The opinions heard during the event will help strengthen the collaboration, especially in the face of the changing regional and international context, Dung added. Participants shared their views on the achievements made so far, as well as the shortcomings that need to be addressed during the cooperation process, as well as the role of social organisations and alumni in fostering bilateral ties in this field. In the evening, an art performance is scheduled to take place at the Centre for Russian Science and Culture in Hanoi, showcasing both Vietnamese and Russian music. Deputy PM calls for stronger public awareness of law observance Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has called for joint efforts by ministries and localities to help people fully understand the must to abide by law. At a ceremony in Hanoi on November 6 in response to the Vietnam Law Day (November 9), he highlighted the role and supreme power of the Constitution and law in the national reform. In the resolution issued at the 11th National Congress and the political programme, the Party affirmed the need to build the state of the rule of law of the people, for the people and by the people, with the support of a complete legal system, said the Deputy PM. The Vietnam Law Day, which coincides with the date of issuing the first Constitution of Vietnam in 1946, was initiated in 2012, aiming to honour the country’s Constitution and law, while raising people’s awareness of the supreme power of law in society, he said. This year’s day is themed “All people actively study and implement the Constitution and law for a prosperous people, a strong country with democracy, equality and civilisation”. On the occasion, the Ministry of Justice and the Coordinating Council for Legal Dissemination and Education launched a writing contest on Vietnam’s Constitution. According to Justice Minister Ha Hung Cuong, the contest will run in one year, with an award ceremony scheduled for November 9, 2015.- Party leader tours Thai Nguyen province Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong paid a working visit to Pho Yen district, Thai Nguyen province on November 9. Trong expressed his delight at the achievements made by the local party organization, government and people, including a 20% annual growth rate, 55 million dong of income per capita, a poor household rate of 7% and robust Party building work. The Party leader urged the local district and Thai Nguyen province to strengthen management of industrial zone, residential areas and vocational training for sustainable development. He also called for better preparation for Party congresses at all levels and visited the Samsung Vietnam Electronics in Yen Binh industrial zone. Party leader hails national solidarity Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong yesterday joined residents of Thanh Xuyen 4 Hamlet in this northern province's Pho Yen District to celebrate the annual National Great Solidarity Festival. Speaking to residents, the Party leader said the festival, which aimed to mark the founding anniversary of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) on November 18, was an opportunity for people throughout the country to review all campaigns and activities that the VFF launched, as well as honour organisations, families and individuals who were exemplary in movements of patriotic emulation and great solidarity. Trong stressed the importance of solidarity among the Vietnamese people during the country's revolution for national independence and freedom and during its process of national development. "The VFF's Eighth National Congress (last September) came up with new lines in which the role of the people is very important," he said. "Accordingly, the role of people will be further promoted to enable them to join in discussions and feel free in speaking out, doing, checking and supervising," he added. He urged Pho Yen District residents to continue promoting long-lasting traditions and experiences to achieve all set targets for building a beautiful, prosperous and civilised homeland. The Party leader joined VFF Chairman Nguyen Thien Nhan in visiting people in the hamlet and meeting with exemplary families of the movement, including families of veterans and war invalids. "All people unite to build a cultural life in residential areas," Trong said. Earlier yesterday, Trong met with authorities of Pho Yen District and Thai Nguyen Province and urged them to strengthen their management of industrial zones, residential areas and vocational training for sustainable development. Trong expressed delight over achievements of the local party organisation, government and people, including a 20 per cent annual growth rate, VND55 million (US$2,600) per capita income, a poor household rate of merely seven per cent and robust Party building work. He also called for better preparations for Party congresses at all levels. On the same morning, Trong visited Samsung Vietnam Electronics in Yen Binh industrial zone. Talking to the company's staff, the Party leader noted that besides developing production and business, the company continued to take care of its workers and ensure humane working and living conditions for them. VNA/VOV/VNS