Government News 4/11 PM calls for further efforts to manage illegal drugs and addiction Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung urged relevant ministries and the community at large to apply more systematic measures to ensure the effectiveness of drug addiction prevention and control, as well as treatment and rehabilitation. Chairing a meeting in Hanoi on November 3 on drug addiction management, he pointed out that drug abuse was still prevalent, with a rising number of drug addicts. The PM asked for further research to be conducted and effective response measures to be proposed. He also requested prompt adjustments of the legal system to make sure that human and citizen’s rights, as well as the common interest of the community, are fully observed in the fight against addiction. Along with issuing legal documents and guidelines, ministries and authorised agencies should increase the supervision of addicts, while enhancing public awareness campaigns on addiction prevention, he said. At the same time, localities should convert a number of mandatory drug detoxification centres to voluntary centres in order to manage addicts better, he proposed. According to a report by the Ministry of Public Security, drug abuse is a problem in every province, in 90 percent of districts, and in around 70 percent of wards and communes. The country currently has 10 drug abuse and HIV/AIDS hotspots, with Hanoi , Ho Chi Minh City and northern Son La province recording the highest number of drug addicts and HIV/AIDS cases, the report said. At the meeting, ministries and localities mentioned a number of difficulties in implementing drug detoxification programmes, including the unsystematic legal framework, a lack of investment and personnel, and poor coordination between ministries and localities. They also pointed out the high rate of relapses after rehab and the social stigma against drug addicts. Int’l conference on building peaceful Vietnam-Lao borderline The Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee jointly held an international conference on building a peaceful borderline between the two countries in the 2014 - 2016 period. The event, which took place on November 3 in Laos’ Khammuan province, was attended by LFNC Central Committee President Phanduangchith Vongsa,  VFF Central Committee Vice President and General Secretary Vu Trong Kim, who is also Chairman of the Vietnam-Lao Friendship Association, as well as senior officials and diplomats from both countries. Participants highlighted fine development in the time-honoured friendship, comprehensive cooperation and special solidarity nurtured by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kaysone Phomvihane, and upheld by the two nations' leaders and people. They heard reports on the two-year implementation of a project on building Vietnam-Lao borderline following a joint declaration signed in Thua Thien-Hue province of Vietnam. They agreed to increase public awareness of the building of a borderline of peace and friendship between the two countries in the 2014 – 2016 period by disseminating information on guidelines and policies of the two Parties and States. The delegates stressed the need to consolidate the political system in border areas, reduce poverty, and ensure national security and defence. It is also essential to promptly prevent any conspiracy and acts of sabotage that destabilize border areas and harm the Vietnam-Lao solidarity and friendship. VUFO Vice President meets Indian guest The seventh Vietnam–India friendship festival scheduled for next year in India will deepen the bilateral strategic partnership, Vice President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Nguyen Thi Hoang Van said. On November 3, Van and the Head of the Communist Party of India’s International Committee, Pallab Sengupta, who is also General Secretary of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, met in Hanoi to discuss the preparations for the festival, agreeing that the event is sure to increase mutual understanding between the two peoples. With regard to socio-economic affairs, the two sides affirmed that bilateral cooperation in a number of sectors is growing based on sound political ties. Vietnam, South Africa boost trade, investment, tourism ties Investment encouraging policies offered by the Vietnamese Government and localities were introduced at an economic forum held recently in Durban city, South Africa’s KwaZulu-Natal province by the Vietnamese Embassy in South Africa. Addressing the Vietnam-South Africa Trade, Investment and Tourism Promotion Forum on October 31, Vietnamese Ambassador Le Huy Hoang affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing its multi-faceted relations with South Africa, including KwaZulu-Natal province and Durban port city. The Ambassador and Trade Counsellor Nguyen Hong Tien then answered local businesses’ queries, clarifying Vietnam’s policies to attract investment as well as its support measures on tariffs and infrastructure. Besides announcing a list of projects calling for foreign investment from now until 2020, the Vietnamese side also introduced the country’s outstanding exports particularly tra fish and rice as well as major tourist attractions such as the World Heritage sites of Ha Long Bay, the ancient imperial city of Hue and the old port town of Hoi An. The Vietnamese representatives asked for further assistance from the South African Government and KwaZulu-Natal province in granting visas for Vietnamese enterprises. Andrew Layman, Chief Executive of the Durban Chamber of Commerce and Industry, said his office is willing to serve as a bridge connecting Durban and KwaZulu-Natal businesses with Vietnamese partners, expressing his hope that Vietnam will help South African businesses to expand their ties with other countries in Asia. Both sides expressed hopes that the two countries will soon sign agreements on double taxation avoidance and banking-finance in order to protect the legitimate rights of their businesses. In the first nine months of 2014, two-way trade between Vietnam and South Africa reached nearly 900 million USD. It is forecast to hit 1.3 billion USD this year. India, Vietnam increase mutual understanding An Indian delegation led by the Secretary General of the All India Peace and Solidarity Organisation, Pallab Sengupta is on a visit to Vietnam, aiming to boost mutual understanding between the two peoples. At a working session with Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO), Nguyen Thi Hoang Van in Hanoi on November 3, the two sides briefed each other on socio-economic situation in each country. They expressed delight at fine development of bilateral cooperation in many fields. The two leaders discussed a plan to jointly organise the 7th Vietnam-India People’s Friendship Festival in 2015 in India, saying that the festival will contribute to developing the strategic partnership between the two countries. Source: VNA/VOV/VNN