Government News 7/11 PM Nguyen Tan Dung to attend 25th ASEAN Summit Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead a Vietnamese delegation to the 25th Summit and related meetings of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) at the invitation of Myanmar’s President Thein Sein. The event is due to take place in Myanmar’s capital city of Nay Pyi Taw on November 12 – 13. The 24th ASEAN Summit was also held in the city on May 10 – 11, 2014, focusing on the solidarity and leading role of the bloc in issues related to peace, security, stability and cooperation in the region. Foreign military attachés meet in Hanoi Foreign military attachés in Vietnam held an exchange with officers and soldiers from the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA) in Hanoi on November 6. On behalf of the delegation, India’s military attaché Colonel Sri Kumar thanked the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence for organising many practical activities that help foreign military attachés understand more about VPA, as well as the culture and people of Vietnam. He expressed his wish that the ministry will continue to create favourable conditions for them to accomplish their missions, contributing to consolidating and developing the friendship and cooperation between the armies of Vietnam and other countries for the sake of peace, stability and development in region and the world at large. Vietnam to help build training hall for Lao army’s art troupe Vietnam’s Defence Ministry has planned to help build a training hall for the Lao army’s art troupe, said Lt. Gen. Nguyen Trong Nghia, deputy head of the General Department of Politics under the Vietnam’s People Army (VPA) on November 6. Once the work is completed, it will contribute to further tightening the friendship and solidarity between the two armies, he said at a Hanoi reception for Lt. Col. Bunlua Sayaphen, deputy head of the Department of Communication and Training of the Lao People’s Army, who is leading a Lao art troupe to perform in Vietnam. Nghia welcomed the delegation to give performances in Vietnam on the occasion of the 70th founding anniversary of the VPA and the 25th All-People’s National Defence Day. The General Department of Politics will create the best conditions for the troupe to stage in Vietnam this time, he said, suggesting regular exchange programmes between the two armies’ art troupes in the coming time. The Lao guest informed the host of the delegation’s main activities during its stay in Vietnam, saying that the Department of Communication and Training will intensify communication campaigns on the VPA’s 70th founding anniversary and Vietnam’s 25th All-People’s National Defence Day among Lao people and soldiers. Vietnam deems UAE as top partner in Middle East: Ambassador The Vietnamese Government considers the United Arab Emirates (UAE) its leading partner in the Middle East and wishes to enhance bilateral friendship and multi-faceted cooperation. Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Binh Dam made the remark while presenting his credentials to UAE Vice President and Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum on November 5. The diplomat said the Vietnam-UAE relationship has seen gigantic developments since they set up their diplomatic ties in 1993, adding that the two sides successfully organised the second meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee in April 2014 and the first political consultation between the two foreign ministries one month later. He described such outcomes as a basic foundation for closer links between the two countries, particularly in politics, trade and investment. Dam also pledged to exert all efforts to promote bilateral cooperation and the effective implementation of their signed agreements. At the reception, Vice President and Prime Minister Al Maktoum expressed his hope that the newly accredited ambassador will act as a bridge for developing the two countries’ friendship. He also affirmed the UAE always treasures its relations with Vietnam and will create optimum conditions to boost their partnership in all spheres. Lawmakers discuss legislation on Public Security Deputies at the ongoing eighth session of the 13th National Assembly commented on the draft revised Law on Public Security, including the organisational and operational regulations on public security, as well as the authority’s responsibilities and powers on November 6. They also discussed the procedures for joining the Public Security authorities, principles for promoting and demoting Public Security officials, the different possible ranks and positions, and benefit packages for Public Security officials. Earlier that day, they debated supplements and amendments to the draft revised Law on the Vietnam People’s Army Officers. They focussed on the basic ranks of officers; regulations on the promotion and demotion of the Vietnam People’s Army officers; rules on the highest army rank as General; and salaries and benefit packages for officers. The lawmakers also listened to the Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh clarify a number of related issues. On November 7, the deputies are scheduled to discuss the draft revised Law on Government Organisation and the Law on Local Government Organisation. They will hold a plenary session on November 8 to pass a resolution on the socio-economic development plan for 2015, and a resolution on the 2015 State budget estimate. The deputies will also discuss the draft revised Law on Enterprises. Law on Vietnam People’s Army Officers put on table National Assembly deputies focused their discussion on draft amendments and supplements to several articles of the Law on Vietnam People’s Army Officers at the ongoing eighth session of the 13th legislature in Hanoi on November 6. Lawmakers said the draft law concentrates on addressing the limitations of the current law, towards building a modern and seasoned revolutionary army. They proposed the bill stipulate a certain number of second-in-commands holding the general rank, helping reduce administrative procedures and remove the ask-give mechanism. Regarding the housing policy for military officers, deputies said that over the past time, despite efforts made by the Party, State, army and local authorities, the policy has only benefited a small number of officers serving in urban areas. Therefore, the law should have new regulations that help more officers, especially those working in grassroots-level units, gain access to housing subsidy. Later on the day, lawmakers discussed the draft revised People’s Police Law. Vietnam keen to foster ties with Venezuela Vietnam continuously values its relationship with Venezuela and wishes to further enhance the bilateral wide-ranging partnership, especially in the fields of economics, investment and culture, Ambassador to Venezuela Ngo Tien Dung said. Addressing a ceremony to mark the 25 th anniversary of the Vietnamese-Venezuelan diplomatic ties in Caracas on November 4, he noted that the two countries have enjoyed expanding relations with regular visits of both leaders. Vietnam and Venezuela share the same revolutionary ideals and desire for socialism whilst helping each other through a number of hardships, he reiterated. Meanwhile, the two sides have also supported each other at multilateral fora, contributing to the maintenance of peace, stability and progress in Asia, Latin America and the world, he said. Venezuelan Deputy Minister Xoan Noya reviewed the bilateral ties between the two countries in the past, highlighting the increased solidarity and friendship between the two sides under President Hugo Chavez’s leadership. On the basis of sound political relations, the two countries promoted their cooperation on a number of issues, including oil and gas, energy, agriculture, urban development, and social housing, he noted. Venezuela considers Vietnam an important ally in Asia and a gateway for connections with ASEAN, he stated. As part of the celebrations of the 25 th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, the Vietnamese Embassy also launched the Vietnamese Culture Week in Venezuela, comprising a number of activities, including a photography exhibition, art performances and an international fair on Vietnam’s fine tailoring skills. Vietnam, Malta seek further cooperation A delegation of the National Financial Supervisory Commission led by Chairman Vu Viet Ngoan paid a working visit to Malta on November 4-5, aiming at promoting trade and investment between the two countries. During the trip, the delegation had working sessions with Chairman of the Malta Financial Services Authority Joseph Bannister and Minister for Finance Edward Scicluna, and attended a round-table workshop on Vietnam-Malta trade and investment promotion as well as meeting with local financial institutions and enterprises. Ngoan and Bannister signed a cooperation agreement which serves a basis for further cooperation between the two agencies, particularly in human resources training. The Vietnamese and Maltese sides agreed to increase coordination to stimulate cooperation in the economy, trade and investment, including the acceleration of the signing of agreements on double tax avoidance and investment protection between the two countries. At the round-table workshop, Malta’s firms expressed their support for the early signing of the Vietnam-EU free trade agreement and said they believe that the Southeast Asian country will help them make inroads into the potential ASEAN market. A group of Maltese businesses will visit to Vietnam to seek business and investment partners in 2015.- HCM City marks Cambodia’s National Day The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) and the HCM City Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association on November 6 ceremoniously celebrated the 61st anniversary of Cambodia’s National Day (November 9). Speaking at the ceremony, President of the HCM City Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Association Truong Minh Nhut stated Vietnam and Cambodia are two neighbouring countries that have a long and established time-honoured friendship. The friendship has withstood not only the test of time but has weathered the struggle for national liberation as well, Nhut added. The two-way trade turnover between the two nations has increased remarkably over the years, Nhut said, adding Cambodia has invested over US$3 billion in more than 130 projects in Vietnam since 2013. Vietnam is also the third largest trade partner of Cambodia with a concentration of its investments in such fields as telecommunications, banking, energy, rubber planting, and farm produce processing, Nhut concluded. Cambodian Consul General in HCM City Sim Sokhom in turn said Cambodia’s current achievements are closely associated with active support from neighbouring countries, especially Vietnam. On the occasion, the Consul General thanked the Vietnam Party, State, armies and people for their assistance in the fight against the genocide regime and expressed his wish for sustainable friendship, solidarity and cooperation. Ukrainian crisis should be resolved through reconciliation Vietnam Foreign Ministry spokesperson has affirmed the nation’s stance on resolving the crisis in Ukraine through conciliatory measures. Tension in Ukraine has come about following a row among Russia and Western nations having different views on the legality of the November 3 election in eastern Ukraine. While Russia has recognized elections in Donetsk and Lugansk, Western nations and the Kiev government said these elections are illegal. In reply to reporters’ queries at a Foreign Ministry press briefing on November 6, deputy spokesman Pham Thu Hang said, "Vietnam supposes Ukraine's problems should be resolved through peaceful dialogues on the basis of respect for the basic principles of international law and reached agreements for the sake of peace, cooperation and development in the region as well as for the benefit of the Ukrainian people.” VNA/VOV/VNN