Government News 9/1 Technological innovation vital to increasing competitiveness Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung (M) attends a ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday to launch the National Technology Innovation Fund, which was established by the Ministry of Science and Technology. Technological innovation was important to helping Vietnamese businesses enhance their competitiveness and create new, high-quality products and services, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung said. He was addressing a ceremony in Ha Noi yesterday to launch the National Technology Innovation Fund, which was established by the Ministry of Science and Technology. He hailed the ministry's efforts to set up the fund which would serve as an important financial institution of the State to boost technological innovation among businesses. The establishment of the fund also illustrates the Vietnamese Government's resolve to boost economic growth and renovate growth models based on science and technology. With charter capital of VND1 trillion (US$47 million), the fund aims to promote businesses' creation of new products and services that have a high level of technology and added value. It was set up in accordance with Decision 1342/QD-TTg issued by the Prime Minister in August 2011, and Decision 1051/QD-TTg in July 2013. Vietnam condemns terrorist acts in any form Vietnam strongly condemns the attack in Paris’ Charlie Hebdo magazine office on January 7, killing 12 people, said Deputy Foreign Ministry spokesperson Pham Thu Hang at a January 8 regular press briefing in Hanoi. “Vietnam denounces terrorist acts in any forms. The terrorist attack in Charlie Hebdo magazine office was barbaric and unacceptable. The country conveys its condolences and deepest empathy to the French government, people, and victim families. We believe that the perpetrators shall feel the full weight of justice.”, Hang said. In response to reporter questions on recent Chinese activities in the East Sea, the spokesperson reiterated Vietnam’s stance to resolutely oppose any violation of national sovereignty and territorial integrity in the East Sea. The country aims to settle issues in the East Sea by peaceful means on the basis of respect for international law, especially the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).and the Declaration of the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). All activities by any party in the East Sea without Vietnam’s consent were illegal and invalid. Hang also told the press briefing Vietnam and China are to celebrate the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties this year and hold various activities to propel the comprehensive strategic partnership forward. On the occasion, congratulatory messages of high-ranking leaders will be exchanged and a host of activities will be planned by both sides to  deepen the comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership. Both nations agreed to maintain regular high-level Party and State visit exchanges and intensify exchange and cooperation mechanisms and continue developing economic links for mutual benefits in a balanced, sustainable manner. Regarding regulations on immigration and migration, the diplomat said on June 16, 2014, the Law on Immigration, Migration and Residence of Foreigners in Vietnam was approved by the National Assembly and came into force on January 1, 2015. The law, which was built on the over 20-year implementation of the ordinance on immigration, migration and residence of foreigners in Vietnam, includes new regulations in compliance with international practices. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is coordinating with relevant agencies to guide the implementation of the law with a view of facilitating foreigners’ entry, exit, and residence in Vietnam, the diplomat said. PM gives nod on project for green, sustainable growth Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved the use of 3.9 million USD from Official Development Assistance (ODA) capital for a project on building capacity and institutional reform for green and sustainable development in Vietnam. The Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) is in charge of the 4.1 million USD project, which is co-funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Global Low Emission Capacity Building Programme of UNDP and the EU (EU-UNDP LECB), via the UNDP. The goal of the project is to improve the MPI’s capacity concerning guidance, supervision, assessment, verification, report and re-examination of the implementation of the Strategy and Plan of Action for Green Growth. Strengthening the coordination between Vietnamese agencies and international organisations and development partners is another aspect the project will work on. The project also aims to improve technical capacity for the MPI, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Transport and some selected provinces, so that they can integrate green growth into the process of planning and budgetary estimation at ministerial and provincial level. Through the project, policy-makers and businesses will be able to raise knowledge and awareness on green growth and sustainable development. Ambassador confident in Algeria-Vietnam cooperation prospects The future cooperation between Algeria and Vietnam will further develop based on the bilateral traditional friendship and political resolve of the two countries’ leaders. Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Cherif Chikhi made the remark while bidding farewell to President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on January 8. The out-going ambassador said he is looking forward to initial outcomes of the two countries’ oil and gas cooperation. He expressed his satisfaction at the activities to promote the cooperative ties between the two countries during his five-year tenure in Vietnam. The two countries also supported each other at multilateral forums, he added. President Truong Tan Sang recognised the ambassador’s significant contributions to developing the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Algeria. The State leader expressed his delight at the bilateral growing cooperation in various fields with two-way trade recording 400 million USD per year. He thanked the Algerian Government for supporting Vietnamese people to live and work in the host society as well as facilitating the joint activities of the Vietnam National Oil and Gas Group there. Vietnam sends condolences to France over Charlie Hebdo attack State President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on January 8 sent messages of condolences to their French counterparts Francois Hollande and Manuel Valls, respectively, over a terror attack on the weekly Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters in Paris on January 7. The same day, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also offered condolences to French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius. On January 7, three gunmen attacked Charlie Hebdo’s headquarters, shooting dead 12 people and injuring many others. At the Foreign Ministry’s regular press conference in Hanoi on January 8, Deputy Spokesperson Pham Thu Hang said the attack is brutal and unacceptable when responding to a question on the country’s viewpoint on the attack. She stated Vietnam condemns terror activities in any form. Vietnam sends deep condolences to the French Government, people and bereaved families and believes that the instigators will soon be severely punished, she added. Cooperation the key to AC readiness Cooperation is critical to realizing the ASEAN Community (AC) in 2015 and for maintaining peace and regional security in the Southeast Asian region. Vietnam Ambassador Nguyen Vu Tu made the statement on January 8 at an ASEAN Senior Officials Meeting (ASEAN SOM) in Hanoi, themed ‘Towards the ASEAN Community 2015: The View of Member States’. Those in attendance included senior government officials and representatives from Vietnam and other ASEAN nations including Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore and Thailand. Ambassador Tu said the meeting aimed to provide information on preparations for the establishment of the AC by the end of 2015 and to raise each citizen’s awareness about the significance of the AC. Cambodian Ambassador Hul Phany emphasized the establishment of AC would bring huge benefits to the region such as economic prosperity, free flow of human resources and job employment for member states. A representative from the Philippines, Dean Jason N.Arriola said although the AC would be established in the near future, ASEAN member nations have realized the need to exert greater efforts on the three fundamental pillars upon which ASEAN has been founded. Thai Ambassador Panyarak Poolhup said the establishment of the AC would offer bright prospects for Thailand. With solid economic foundation and economic cooperation in the region, ASEAN would promote the Thai economy’s advantages and enhance national competitiveness. Representatives from ASEAN member nations also highlighted the event and expressed hope that the AC would also open up many opportunities for the citizens of each nation. At the closing session, Ambassador Tu also urged ASEAN member states to ensure economic growth as it would help the AC play a greater role in the international arena. He also underscored the importance of  forming a cultural and social community that cares about each other. The event was co-organised by the Vietnam Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the United Nation Development Programme (UNDP). ASEAN Secretary General visits Malaysia ASEAN Secretary General Le Luong Minh on January 7 started a working visit to Malaysia, according to a press release by the Malaysian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The three-day tour marks the beginning of Malaysia’s role as the ASEAN Chair 2015. It is expected to create a mutual understanding between Malaysia and the ASEAN Secretariat, particularly in light of the establishment of the ASEAN Community at the end of this year. On the same day, Le Luong Minh met with Malaysian Foreign Minister Anifah Aman to discuss issues relating to Malaysia’s priorities and preparations for the year in order to ensure the success of the country as the ASEAN Chair. Established in 1967, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) comprises ten members, namely Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam. VNA/VOV/VNS