Government News 5/2 VN celebrate ties with Russia, Czech Republic The Vietnamese Embassy in Moscow and the overseas Vietnamese community in Russia celebrated the 65th anniversary of Viet Nam-Russia diplomatic ties and Tet on Monday at a ceremony. Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Son stressed that the friendship and cooperation between Viet Nam and Russia have been fostered by mutual trust, warm sentiment and resolve through many generations. The bilateral partnership had produced success across many fields, from politics, economics, culture and tourism to energy and military, contributing to both countries' modernization and development, as well as to regional and world peace and development, Son said. Son expressed the firm belief that the comprehensive strategic partnership between Viet Nam and Russia would grow and the two countries would always support each other, regardless of any change in the world. On the Russian side, Director of the Russian Foreign Ministry's Asia Department III Andrey Tatarinov said the remarkable achievements in bilateral ties were the result of an effective partnership built on a foundation of equality, mutual trust and mutual benefits. On the occasion, Chairman of the Russia-Viet Nam Friendship Association Vladimir Buyanov presented Son and the Vietnamese Embassy staff with the association's insignia in recognition of their contribution to Viet Nam relations. The Vietnamese Embassy in the Czech Republic on Monday also hosted a ceremony at the Czech parliament's Chamber of Deputies to mark the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic. Addressing the reception, Ambassador Truong Manh Son underlined the ever-growing diplomatic relations between the two countries in the past 65 years. Son said Viet Nam was willing to strengthen the understanding and mutual trust with the Czech Republic and deepen their relationship. He also declared 2015 the Year of Vietnamese Culture in the Czech Republic. He said that around 60,000 Vietnamese people were residing in the Czech Republic. They observe the laws and integrate easily, contributing to the development of Czech society. For his part, Jan Hamacek, chairman of the Czech Republic's Chamber of Deputies, said he appreciated the Vietnamese people's integration into Czech society while preserving their national identity. The two countries' achievements over the past 65 years would lay excellent foundations for a better future of friendship and cooperation between the two countries, Hamacek said. The Czech Republic considers Viet Nam one of the 12 markets with the most potential. Two-way trade between Viet Nam and the Czech Republic doubled in the past five years to reach US$670 million last year. VFF President visits Friedrich Naumann Foundation Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee President Nguyen Thien Nhan on February 4 visited the Friedrich Naumann Foundation for Freedom (FNF) – the foundation for liberal politics in Germany. According to FNF Director Hans-Georg Jonek, FNF is a non-profitable and non-governmental organisation operating in more than 70 countries. FNF opened its representative office in Vietnam in 2012 mainly to support Vietnam’s market economy development projects. FNF has cooperated with the Institute of Co-operative Economy Development (ICED) under the Vietnam Cooperative Alliance in capacity building projects. Last year it assisted the ICED to draft and publish a handbook on the Cooperative Law. For his part, Mr Nhan said FNF activities are highly appreciated in Vietnam as the country has made significant effort to accelerate the reform of the socialist - oriented market economy. Vietnam wants to study German model as the country has much experience in conducting cooperative economy. Nhan briefed the host on VFF role, tasks and major activities while Hans introduced training workshops for officials and invited VFF officials to take part in. The two sides also discussed measures to boost cooperation in specific projects in the future. Vietnam-Hungary diplomatic relations marked in Ho Chi Minh City The 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Hungary (February 3, 1950-2015) was celebrated in HCM City on February 4 at a ceremony by the city’s Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association and the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations. Addressing the ceremony, Nguyen Hong Linh, Director of the city’s External Relations Department, said that despite ups and downs over the past 65 years, the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Hungary have been strengthened through trust, emotion and determination fostered over many generations. In recent years, the relationship has developed with fruitful cooperation across many sectors, contributing to the process of modernisation and development in each country, Linh said. Within the scope of bilateral cooperation, HCM City has always been the central figure in implementing cooperation activities with Hungary, especially its capital, Budapest, said Linh. Vietnam’s people, and the nation as a whole, will continue promoting close and widening cooperation with Hungary. Reviewing important historic landmarks in the relationship between the two countries, Hungary’s Ambassador to Vietnam Torda Eszter said despite their geographical distance, Vietnam and Hungary share a common fighting spirit to overcome hardship in the struggle for independence. Since establishing diplomatic relations, both countries have provided one another with support during wartime and in the cause of national development today. According to Ambassador Eszter, achievements in recent years will pave the way for a new level of cooperation between the two countries. In 2014, trade between HCM City and Hungary reached nearly 44 million USD, up 24 percent from the previous year. The city also welcomed more than 1,200 Hungarian tourists last year. As of the end of 2014, the city granted licences to four Hungarian investment projects with a combined capital of 3.7 million USD. Cambodian border province leaders visit Long An A delegation of representatives from Svay Rieng and Pray Veng provinces of Cambodia visited the Mekong Delta province of Long An on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) festival. Speaking at a reception for the delegation on February 4, Chairman of the Vietnamese provincial People’s Committee Do Huu Lam highlighted recent developments in the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Cambodia , saying that multifaceted links between the two nations have brought practical benefits to their constituents. Relations between Long An and the Cambodian provinces have deepened across sectors, he noted, affirming that tireless efforts by authorities from the three provinces will contribute to even greater progress. The Cambodian guests thanked Long An authorities for their support to the two Cambodian localities in the form of training in farming techniques and Vietnamese language skills. Long An has provided an aid package worth over 12 billion VND (560,000 USD) for Pray Veng authorities to build a bridge connecting the two localities, as well as jointly organising 13 charitable medical check-up programmes for impoverished individuals living in border areas. Party founding anniversary celebrated in Cuba Close to 1,000 Cuban officials and people attended a meeting celebrating the 85th founding anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) in Havana on February 3. The event was held by the Communist Party of Cuba’s External Relations Commission and also brought together representatives from the Embassies of China, Laos, Cambodia and the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. Speaking at the event, Vietnamese charge d’ affaires Duong Hai Hung recalled the immense achievements made by the CPV and its people over the past 85 years and reiterated the Party’s strong will to follow the path of socialism. He praised Cuba for standing by Vietnam’s side through difficulties and congratulated the country on its recent economic achievements. Cuban State Council Vice President Lazara Mercedes Lopez Acea, who is also first Secretary of the Havana Party Committee, said the birth of the CPV holds significant historical meanings to Vietnamese people and global revolutionary movements as well. Prior to the meeting, Vietnamese and Cuban officials had laid wreaths at the statue of President Ho Chi Minh in Havana in commemoration of his great contributions to Vietnamese people’s revolutionary cause. Party founding anniversary celebrated abroad Vietnamese representative agencies in foreign countries have celebrated the 85th anniversary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (February 3, 1930-2015). The Vietnam Embassy in the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland held a ceremony in London on February 3. Addressing the event, Ambassador Nguyen Van Thao reviewed the 85 glorious years of building and developing the Party. The same day, a delegation of representatives from the Vietnam Embassy, the Vietnamese Business Association in Singapore and the Vietnamese community laid down a wreath of flowers in tribute to the late President Ho Chi Minh at his statue in front of the Asian Civilisations Museum. The statue of President Ho Chi Minh was inaugurated on May 20, 2008 to mark his arrival to the country in 1933. The birth of the Communist Party of Vietnam on February 3, 1930 constituted an important historical event and a significant turning point in the history of the Vietnamese revolution, marking a milestone in the country’s development path. Under the Party’s leadership, the Vietnamese people successfully carried out the August Revolution in 1945 and the 1975 Spring Offensive, entering a new chapter of development. Vietnam looks to improve grassroots democracy Vietnam looks to continue improving the socialist democracy in line with the Resolution adopted by the 11th National Party Congress and the 2013 Constitution. Party committees and local administrations will continue to uphold the people’s democratic rights and participation in the process of improving socio-economic realities and ensuring security and social order in tandem with the national patriotic movement. They are tasked with spreading the comprehensive administrative reform programme for 2011 to 2020, including handling complaints and holding dialogues with the public as well as facilitating “One-stop shop” mechanisms to streamline bureaucracy in trade activities. The agenda was unveiled at a conference held in Hanoi on February 4 to evaluate the 2014 implementation of grassroots democracy regulations and determine 2015 tasks. Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the committee’s Commission for Mass Mobilisation Ha Thi Khiet commented in her speech that 2014 saw an energetic exercise of democracy in every aspect of life. During its 10 th session, the Party Central Committee (11 th tenure) cast votes of confidence on members of the Politburo and the Secretariat for the first time in the Party history, said Khiet, who is also head of the Central Steering Committee on the implementation of democracy regulations at the grassroots level. Those elected or approved by the National Assembly and People’s Councils also underwent votes of confidence, reflecting broader democracy and enhancing public trust in the Party, she added. Participants also pointed out existing weaknesses in enforcing regulations on the practice of democratic rights, including limited awareness of authorities and officials, slow pace of administrative reform that has sparked public concern, and corruption and waste of the State budget.- Party chief visits Quang Tri Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong checked out preparations for Party congresses at grassroots level in the central province of Quang Tri during his working visit on February 4. While touring Vinh Thuy commune in Vinh Linh district, one of the first three local communes recognised as new-style rural areas, the Party chief agreed with its future development agenda, saying that Vinh Linh can reach where it is today because it has been guided by the sound and clear-sighted Party leadership, a decisive factor in every revolutionary triumph. The Party and the masses are inseparable, without the masses the Party has no strength while the masses cannot march forward without the Party’s leadership, he said. Earlier, the leader paid tribute to thousands of heroic martyrs at the Quang Tri ancient citadel. As a special national relic site, the citadel has gone down into national history as a symbol of bravery after local military units and people fought fiercely throughout 81 days against enemy troops (June 28- September 16, 1972), contributing to the success of the Paris talks and the 1975 Spring Campaign which ultimately brought about the liberation of the southern region and national re-unification. President examines Yen Bai socio-economic development President Truong Tan Sang evaluated the socio-economic situation of the northern mountainous province of Yen Bai during his working visit on February 3-4. The State leader spoke and presented gifts to disadvantaged households in Tan Dong commune, Tran Yen district, one of the first provincial communes to be selected for building new-style rural areas with 15 of the 19 criteria satisfied. He was also made aware of difficulties facing local authorities and residents, after which he expressed his hope that the commune will maintain its achievements in rural modernisation while further improving local living standards and building effective production models. During his working session with local authorities, President Truong Tan Sang said socio-economic infrastructure has made a substantial difference in the province, particularly in rural areas. He asked the provincial Party Committee, authorities and people to maximise their efforts to realise remaining tasks from their 2011-2015 agendas. He noted that the province should proactively study and seek cooperation at home and abroad in building production models suitable with hills and mountainous terrain. He also encouraged them to forge ahead with restructuring and improving business efficiency of agriculture and forestry sectors. The President asked local authorities to prepare adequately for upcoming Party congresses and the 12 th National Party Congress, while ensuring a warm and safe traditional Lunar New Year (Tet) for its constituents, especially those living below the poverty line. He also visited and presented gifts to Vietnamese Heroic Mother Nguyen Thi Lo, 86, mother of two fallen soldiers in Van Phu commune, Yen Bai city. VNS/VNA/VOV