Government News 24/11 Thai PM to visit Vietnam Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Thailand Prayut Chan-ocha will make an official visit to Vietnam from November 27-28. The visit is made at the invitation of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, announced the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs on November 23. Hungarian President to pay State visit to Vietnam Hungarian President Ader Janos and his wife will pay a State visit to Vietnam from November 26 – 30. The visit will be made at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang. Vietnam and Hungary established diplomatic ties in 1950. Thai Binh promotes link with Iran’s provinces Chairman of the People’s Committee of northern Thai Binh province Pham Van Sinh expressed his hope to reach investment and export deals with Iran during his reception for Iranian parliamentarians on November 21. The Iranian guests were led by Chairman of the Iran-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarian Group and member of Iran’s Islamic Consultative Assembly Presiding Board Hossein Sobhaninia. Sinh introduced to the guests the provincial socio-economic development and agricultural achievements in recent years and revealed a plan to develop large scale breeding farms and encourage technology transfer. For his part, Hossein Sobhaninia suggested Thai Binh province partner with some Iranian localities in mining and oil and gas production. On the day, the delegation visited a private chicken farm in Vu Doai commune, Vu Thu district and a vegetables production model in Vu Phuc commune. Seminar discusses Vietnam-Russia relations prospects A seminar was held in Moscow on November 21 by the Far East Institute under the Russia Academy of Science to discuss the prospects for Vietnam – Russia relations in the new context. The event brought together a number of Russian experts in the field, including E.M. Kobelev, G.M. Loksin, D.V. Mosyakov, A.A. Sokolov, and A.P. Svetov. On his opening speech, Dmitry Mosyakov, Director of the Centre for Southeast Asian, Australian and Oceanian Studies under the Institute, said the strategic comprehensive partnership is beneficial to the pair and totally fits their national interests. Since both sides have been prepared for elevating the partnership to a higher level in terms of quality, the forthcoming visit to Russia by Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong will aim to make a breakthrough in the work, he noted. During the seminar, delegates touched upon various aspects of the bilateral relations, such as political cooperation; models for the strategic comprehensive partnership as well as prospects for future cooperation in trade, education and culture. The seminar was organised as a forerunner to the upcoming visit to Russia by the Vietnamese Party chief. Party delegates visit Indian news agency Deputy head of the Party Central Committee (PCC) Commission for Education and Communication Pham Van Linh led a working group in charge of foreign-related information service is on a working visit to India. During a November 21 working session with Trust of India (PTI)- India’s largest and oldest news agency, the delegation was briefed by Shakeel Ahmed, PTI General Manager for administration on his agency’s organisational structure and operations. Established in 1947, the agency currently employs 500 journalists and other 500 part-time reporters operating in almost all localities across India. PTI is keen on partnering with other news agencies across the globe, including the Vietnam News Agency (VNA), he said. For his part, Linh proposed the PTI open a representative office in Vietnam soon to increase its wide-ranging coverage of the country. Linh also extolled PTI’s efforts in imparting news about Vietnam and the activities of Vietnamese leaders during their visits to India while suggesting PTI support Vietnam in the East Sea issue and call parties concerned to comply with international law. The same day, the delegation visited Vietnamese students and Buddhist monks and nuns at Delhi University, Vietnam Embassy staff and VNA representative office in New Delhi. Lawmakers requests clearer stipulations on government responsibility National Assembly (NA) deputies called for clearer stipulations on the responsibility of Government offices, organisations and individuals in terms of public administrative management in the draft revised Law on the Organisation of the Government at the Nov. 21 session. Several deputies said that with the function of the Government as the NA’s executive body, the law needs to fix the numbers of ministries and ministry-level agencies, Deputy Prime Ministers, Deputy Ministers and deputy heads of Government offices. They also underlined the need to have more provisions on the Government’s function in State management, compared to the current law. However, there were also opinions that the law should not be too detailed in the number and names of ministries to allow for quickly adjustment when necessary. An issue of great interest is the definition of responsibility for each government level, sector and locality. Many deputies emphasized that the revised law must address a major shortcoming of the current administrative apparatus, which is unclear division of responsibility between the central and local governments. Several also proposed the clarification of the role of the Government in protecting the Constitution. On November 24, the NA will debate a draft Law on the Organisation of Local Authorities. NA passes revised Law on Vietnam Civil Aviation The National Assembly passed the Law on Vietnam Civil Aviation (revised) on November 21. The new law stipulates that the State management agency for civil aviation under the Ministry of Transport is the aviation authority. Under the 1944 Chicago Convention on International Civil Aviation and the guidance of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), the aviation authority is responsible for implementing regulations of the global convention in the country and for promptly handling administrative procedures and inspecting and monitoring all aviation activities. The law also adds a number of aviation and essential non-aviation services subject to price control by the State, aiming to ensure the interests of both consumers and enterprises. The same day, the draft revised law on military service was tabled for discussion at the NA, with a majority of deputies agreeing to the need to amend the law to better ensure that citizens fully perform the rights and duties of safeguarding the country in line with the Constitution. They held that the military service policy should be designed to build up a regular modern army, encourage young people to join the army while ensuring social equality. However, opinions still differed about the duration of military service – which is stipulated as 24 months in the draft revised law compared to the current 18 months. In the afternoon session, the NA debated the revised draft Law on the Government’s Organisation. Hanoi seminar sheds light on ASEAN-RoK strategic partnership A seminar in Hanoi on November 21 highlighted the strategic partnership between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the Republic of Korea (RoK). The event was jointly held by the RoK Embassy in Vietnam and the ASEAN Department under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MoFA) as part of activities in preparation of the ASEAN-RoK Commemorative Summit 2014 in Busan next month. It attracted the participation of RoK Ambassador Jun Daejoo, head of MoFA’s ASEAN Department Nguyen Tien Minh, officials from ministries, agencies, ASEAN embassies and ASEAN partners in Hanoi, as well as representatives of the Korean business community in Vietnam. Participants compared notes and discussed measures to boost ASEAN-RoK relations in general and Vietnam-RoK ties in particular in prioritised fields, including politics, security, economics, socio-culture, and appropriate and effective response to global challenges. Head of MoFA’s ASEAN Department Nguyen Tien Minh spoke highly of the RoK’s strong commitment to fostering the relationship with ASEAN member countries and its support for ASEAN’s efforts in promoting peace, stability and community building. He emphasized that since ASEAN and the RoK set up their dialogue relation 25 years ago, the two sides have taken constant efforts to make it a strategic partnership in 2010. “We are nowadays witnessing significant outcomes of bilateral ties,” Minh stated. For his part, Ambassador Jun Daejoo believed that the seminar would create a firm foundation for deepening ASEAN-RoK strategic partnership towards the implementation of agreements and cooperation roadmaps reached by both sides.  “The building of the ASEAN Community in 2015 will make huge changes to the region and the world as a whole. So, both Vietnam and the RoK should grasp every opportunity offered by the ASEAN Community in order to strengthen regional connectivity, speed up the integration process and market access, and make full use of human resource advantages of both countries, he noted. Other participants highlighted ASEAN-RoK relations over the past 25 years and pointed out orientations for future bilateral relations focusing on three pillars - politics-security; economics; and socio-culture. The two sides will beef up cooperation and support each other in maintaining peace, stability and security in Northeast and Southeast Asia. They will further consolidate cooperative frameworks with ASEAN playing a key role in dealing with regional issues, including the nuclear issue in the Korean Peninsula and sovereignty disputes in the East Sea. ASEAN and the RoK are expected to raise their two-way trade turnover to US$150 billion in 2015 and US$200 billion in 2020, make advantage use of the ASEAN-RoK Free Trade Agreement (AKFTA), and promote negotiations on the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP). They will also promote cultural and people-to-people exchange, especially among youngsters, and enhance cooperation in environmental protection, natural disaster prevention and control, climate change adaption, and food security. Participants at the seminar proposed measures to foster Vietnam-RoK relations, aimed at facilitating the building of a stronger ASEAN community. Both countries attached importance to strengthening their strategic partnership in a more practical and effective manner. The RoK is the second largest foreign direct investor and trade partner of Vietnam, with two-way trade turnover hitting US$27.5 billion last year. The country is also Vietnam’s second biggest ODA donor with a committed aid worth US$1.2 billion in the 2012-2015 period. More than 120,000 Vietnamese people and a similar number of Korean people are residing, working and studying in the RoK and Vietnam respectively. Vision, identity, community the focus of ASEAN forum It was unity, consistent efforts to build trust and consensus of responsibilities that made the ASEAN community a success, said Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh yesterday. He was addressing the opening ceremony of the "ASEAN great unity days - One vision, one identity, one community", which took place yesterday at the Viet Nam National Village for Ethnic Culture and Tourism in Ha Noi. The three-day event themed "Solidarity-Cooperation-Development" will offer a chance for ASEAN member countries to introduce their land, people and culture as well as their efforts to preserve and uphold the region's cultural heritage. This aims to help build a united and dynamic ASEAN Community and a region of peace, prosperity and development. It is also expected to support Viet Nam's role in promoting co-operation within ASEAN and introduce the rich culture of the nation's 54 ethnic groups. A wide range of activities are planned for the event, including an ASEAN flag hoisting ceremony, art performances and activities to promote ASEAN culture and tourism. On the occasion, Viet Nam is scheduled to present some of its world recognised intangible cultural heritages such as Ca Tru (ceremonial singing), Quan Ho (traditional love duet singing) and Hue royal court music. The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. Peace relies on regional ties ASEAN and South Korea need to co-operate more to sustain peace and security in Northeast Asia and Southeast Asia over the next 25 years, a Vietnamese foreign affairs official said yesterday at a seminar in Ha Noi. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs' ASEAN Department Director General Nguyen Tien Minh spoke during the meeting on the strategic partnership between ASEAN and South Korea. He said East Asia was dealing with several "hot spots", including nuclear issue on the Korean peninsula and sovereignty disputes in the East Sea. "Those issues are currently at high risk of explosion and may hinder our further co-operation," he said. Closer ties between ASEAN and South Korea were an essential part of resolving emerging regional challenges like climate change, food security and terrorism, he said. About 100 government and business representatives, experts and scholars joined the seminar to discuss how to tighten the bond. The global economic shift towards East Asia and the fast-growing middle classes in ASEAN nations have opened up a big window for co-operation between ASEAN and South Korea, said Nguyen Hung Son, deputy director general of the Diplomatic Academy of Viet Nam. "There are no other regions in the world where South Korea can find such an expansion of the middle class like in ASEAN countries, where people can drive South Korean cars, eat in South Korean restaurants and dream of travelling to South Korea," Son said. Trade between ASEAN and South Korea increased 16-fold from US$8.2 billion in 1989 to $135 billion in 2013. ASEAN aims to reach $200 billion in 2020. An ASEAN-South Korea Commemorative Summit marking their 25th year of relations will be held in Busan, South Korea next month. "The summit will be a momentous platform for leaders of ASEAN and South Korea to lay out a blueprint for enhancing future co-operation," said Jun Daejoo, the South Korean Ambassador to Viet Nam. Former senator praises Vietnam’s miracle growth Former Senator Eddie “Kuya Eddie” Ilarde, the first president of the Philippines-Vietnam Friendship Association, returned to Manila from a visit to Hanoi, greatly impressed by what he saw. The former senator said in the “Phoenix-like Vietnam” story published by the Manila Bulletin on November 16. “Vietnam has emerged as one of the fastest-growing economies in Southeast Asia. It has an open Foreign Investment Law, offering up to 100% foreign ownership,” he said in an interview with Radio Tapat. He added that Vietnam’s open policies had resulted in low trade barriers, fast custom clearances, and simple administrative procedures, thus creating a dynamic business climate. As of June, 2014, more than 16,300 FDI projects were operational in Vietnam, with investments of more than US$238 billion. Manufacturers like Samsung Electronics Co., LG Electronics Inc., Nokia Oyj, and Intel Corp. have set up operations in Vietnam, an alternative to China. The Philippines ranks 17th out of the countries that invested in Vietnam, and Ilarde said he was keen to bring more Filipino businessmen to Vietnam and attract Vietnamese firms to the Philippines. Asked about his impressions of Vietnam , Ilarde said countries affected by war, like Vietnam, often managed to achieve outstanding progress after experiencing extreme difficulties. Vietnam’s reform policy of 1986 is proving successful. With 5.4% economic growth in 2013, Vietnam’s economy has expanded even faster this year with almost 6.2% growth during the third quarter of 2014. The consumer price index for September rose by 2.25% compared to December 2013, the lowest rate in a whole decade. The interest rate is 2% lower than in 2013, credit growth increased by 7.26% and is expected to reach 12-14% this year, Ilarde explained. He said Vietnam’s foreign currency reserves were at a record level high at US$35 billion. The country’s balance of payments is positive. Vietnam’s poverty rate has been lowered to around 10% in the last three years, Ilarde said, adding that the Philippines could learn from Vietnam’s industriousness and frugality. Overseas Vietnamese commission marks 55th founding anniversary The State Commission on Overseas Vietnamese (SCOV) under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs celebrated its 55th founding anniversary (November 23, 1959) in Hanoi on November 21. Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh highlighted the SCOV’s efforts to overcome difficulties and make crucial contributions to issues relating to overseas Vietnamese (OVs) in particular and external affairs in general. SCOV Chairman Vu Hong Nam, who also serves as Deputy Foreign Minister, said the commission, established under the Prime Minister’s Decision No.416-TTg dated November 23, 1959, was initially assigned to receive OVs returning home after peace was restored in northern Vietnam in 1954. It was also tasked to provide assistance and protection for Vietnamese nationals living abroad. During wartime, the SCOV worked to call upon OVs around the globe to materially and spiritually support the liberation and unification of their homeland. In the following time, it coordinated with relevant agencies to mobilise OVs’ contributions to the national construction and defence, proposed important policies relating to OVs’ interests, and supported the Vietnamese community abroad, Nam said. With its outstanding achievements, the SCOV was awarded a number of noble titles by the Party and State such as the Ho Chi Minh Order, the Independence Order (first class), and the Labour Order (first class). HCM City, Germany enjoy cooperation opportunities Senior officials of Ho Chi Minh City and Germany said that the two sides have a lot of potential for cooperation in many fields. Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Le Hoang Quan and Vice Chancellor and Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Energy Sigmar Gabriel made the statement during their meeting in the city on November 20. Gabriel is leading a German high-ranking delegation from the Ministry of Economic Affairs and Energy to Vietnam to attend the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business (APK) held in the city. The city’s official spoke highly of fruitful cooperation in health care and education between the two sides. In particular, Vietnam-Germany University and Vietnam-Germany international school were established in the city while Pham Ngoc Thach Medicine-Pharmaceutical University is cooperating in medical research and training with a number of Germany institutes. Germany is currently the city’s largest trade partner in Europe with 102 valid projects worth 220 million USD. The two-way t rade between Ho Chi Minh City and Germany recorded 1.6 billion USD in 2013. The figure is expected to reach 2 billion USD for this year. For his part, the Germany Vice Chancellor expressed his thanks for the city’s welcome, especially the support for the conference, saying the meeting is Germany’s largest economic event held abroad. The meeting in Ho Chi Minh City will open up opportunities for cooperation between German businesses and its partners in Vietnam, including the city, he added. Germany is running a number of major projects in the city, such as the Metro Line 2 linking Ben Thanh and Suoi Tien with a total length of 19km. He informed that the visit is to introduce German small- and medium-sized enterprises, saying they are keen on the city. He said he hopes that city will facilitate the businesses to seek partners and do business in the city. Vietnamese naval officials welcomed in Brunei Rear Admiral and Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff Nguyen Van Kiem, who led a Vietnam Navy delegation aboard two naval ships to Brunei, was warmly welcomed by Major General Dato Tawih, Commander of Brunei’s Armed Forces, on November 20. During the reception, Dato Tawih described the visit as a vivid symbol of the increasing relations between the two armies, including naval forces. He also appreciated Vietnam’s great contributions to ASEAN, especially the proposal and implementation of initiatives in the framework of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting Plus (ADMM+) and the ASEAN Naval Chiefs’ Meeting (ANCM). On behalf of the Vietnamese guests, Kiem said he hopes the visit will contribute to strengthening the friendship and mutual understanding between the two armies and people. Brunei was the second leg of the Dinh Tien Hoang HQ-011 and Ly Thai To HQ-012 fleet’s trip to the three Southeast Asian nations, after Indonesia. On November 21’s morning, the ships will leave Brunei for their last stop – the Philippines. VNA/VOV/VNS