Government News 17/3 PM orders measures to ensure security, order for IPU-132 The Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on March 16 issued Dispatch No 377/CD-TTg to provide guidelines on ensuring security and order for the up-coming 132th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132). The PM stressed maximum security and safety is important to the success of the IPU-132, which will take place in Hanoi from March 28 to April 1 with 126 delegations have so far registered to attend. He ordered the Ministry of Public Security to deploy plans to ensure the event goes without incident. The Ministries of Public Security, Defence and Foreign Affairs were directed to closely work with the IPU-132’s national secretariat and the assisting groups of the organising committee to complete all commitments in Vietnam’s agreement to host the IPU-132. The Ministry of Defence was required to prepare plans to deal with any unexpected event that may happen on land, at sea and in the sky. Concerning health and food safety, the Ministry of Health was told to increase checks to prevent any possible disease and ensure food safety in Hanoi and provinces where the IPU-132’s activities take place. The PM also requested that the People’s Committees of provinces and cities, especially Hanoi, Quang Ninh and Ninh Binh, coordinate with relevant ministries and sectors to ensure security and order during the IPU-132. Cuban Prosecutor General welcomed in HCM City   Le Thanh Hai, Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee, greeted Cuban Prosecutor General Dario Delgado Cura on March 16. The host spoke highly of the current working visit to Vietnam by the Cuban procuracy delegation. He underscored the fruitful results of cooperation between the Supreme Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam and Cuba, saying they have contributed to fostering the traditional friendship between Vietnam and Cuba. Hai affirmed the city’s pledge to make every effort to boost cooperation with localities in Cuba and share experience in the procuracy sector to increase friendship and affiliations between the two countries. For his part, the Cuban guest said the Supreme Procuracy of Cuba values and promotes cooperation with the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam. He affirmed his belief that the two countries will support one another towards mutual development, thus strengthening the sustainable relationship between Cuba and Vietnam. Condolences to Vanuatu over Cyclone Pam President Truong Tan Sang on March 16 extended his condolences to President of the Republic of Vanuatu Baldwin Lonsdale over the losses of lives and property damage caused by Cyclone Pam last week. The same day, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung conveyed his sympathy to his Vanuatuan counterpart Joe Natuman. Deputy Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Binh Minh also cabled a condolence message to Minister of Foreign Affairs, International Cooperation and External Trade Sato Kilman. Vietnam attends ASEAN defence minister meeting A high-ranking delegation led by Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh is joining other ASEAN member nations for the 9th ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting (ADMM-9), which officially opened in Malaysia on March 16. At the meeting, participants focused their discussion on traditional and non-traditional regional security issues as well as the threat posed by the self-proclaimed Islamic State (IS). Other concerns on the meeting’s agenda include navigation security, high-tech development security, pirate prevention in the East Sea and cooperation and coordination mechanisms in fighting natural disasters. Malaysia’s initiative to establish an ASEAN peace-keeping force was also brought forth and received support from a number of member nations. The Vietnamese delegation proposed the development of a mechanism for improving and outlining orientations for the ADMM’s future activities. ASEAN – the Association of Southeast Asian Nations – groups Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, Singapore, and Vietnam. Bangladesh Workers Party visits Vietnam The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) values its relations with the Workers Party of Bangladesh (WPB) and is interested in further promoting the solidarity and partnership between the two parties, stated a CPV senior official. Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan made the comment while meeting with WPB President Rashed Khan Menon in Hanoi on March 16. Vietnam appreciates the precious assistance received from the WPB and Bangladeshi people to the country in the past struggle for liberation and current national development, said Quan. President Menon lauded the socio-economic achievements of Vietnam in recent years, especially in the shifting and challenging global context. The accomplishments Vietnam has made over the past three decades of reform under the CPV’s leadership serve as guiding examples for communist and left-wing parties around the world, he said. He said the WPB wishes to promote stronger relationship with the CPV, especially in information and theory exchanges. This, he held, would contribute to enhanced cooperation between the two countries, especially in legislation, tourism and civil aviation. Earlier, the WPB President met with Nguyen Huy Tang, Deputy Head of the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations, during which both sides briefed one another on party realities and the overall socio-economic situation in their respective nations. They also shared their experience in Party building and discussed measures to deepen ties between the two parties as well as regional and international issues of mutual concern. During his stay in Vietnam, WPB President Rashed Khan Menon also met with leaders of the National Assembly Committee for External Relations, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and and the Ministry of Transport. He also held working sessions with leaders of the Party Committees of northern Quang Ninh province and Ho Chi Minh City.- Party National Congress - key theme of broadcasting sector in 2015 The Party’s resolutions and preparations for the 12th Party National Congress are two of the key themes of the broadcasting sector this year, it was said at a conference held in the northern province of Thai Nguyen on March 16. Representatives of television and radio stations nationwide also agreed to focus on the campaign of “Following the morality example of President Ho Chi Minh” and the programme of building new-style rural areas. Besides, the broadcasting sector will continue to make extensive coverage of the country’s sea and islands and sovereignty protection while raising voice against corruption and waste. The conference urged broadcasting agencies to further improve the quality of their programmes and address problems revealed so far in their operations, including the provision of unconstructive or wrongful information. Also on the occasion, the MIC awarded certificates of merit for outstanding television and radio stations, reporters and editors. Egypt seeks further cooperation with Vietnam Egypt looks to developing comprehensive bilateral relations with Vietnam, particularly in trade and agricultural cooperation, Egyptian Prime Minister Ibrahim Mahlab said. Receiving Vietnam’s Agriculture and Rural Development Minister Cao Duc Phat on the sideline of the Egypt Economic Development Conference (EEDC) from March 13-15, PM Ibrahim Mahlab appreciated Vietnam’s participation in the EEDC and hailed the traditional ties between the two countries. He promptly instructed the relevant ministries to organise the fifth working session of the joint committee in Hanoi as soon as possible in line with the Vietnamese side’s proposal, with a focus on agriculture. At the meeting, the two sides also pledged to support each other at international forums. Accordingly, Egypt will back Vietnam in running for election to the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) in the 2016 – 2018 tenure and the 2020-2021 tenure of the UN Security Council. Vietnam in turn will support the northeast African nation to stand for election to UN Security Council in the 2016-2017 tenure. Previously, Minister Phat met up with his Egyptian counterpart Salah El-Din Mahmoud on boosting bilateral partnership in commerce, investment and experience exchange. The Egyptian side was particularly interested in cooperating with Vietnam in aquaculture, and pledged to remove technical problems hindering the export of Vietnamese farm produce and aquatic products to Egypt. The EEDC took place in Sharm el-Sheikh on March 13-15, gathering 2,000 participants from 112 countries. The event saw three Gulf countries committing 12 billion USD in aid to Egypt and the signing of several major economic deals between Egypt and multi-national groups. Vietnam thanks Japan for support in disaster prevention Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan thanked Japan for supporting Vietnam in disaster prevention and control and climate change response during her meeting with Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida in Sendai city on March 15. The two sides voiced their delight at the vigorous growth of the Vietnamese-Japanese relations over the past years, particularly since their ties were lifted to the strategic partnership for peace and prosperity in Asia during Vietnamese President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to Japan one year ago. The Vietnamese Vice President, who is in the Japanese city to attend the third UN World Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction, asked Japan to share more experience and technology to help promote her country’s disaster prevention capacity, including building shelter for fishing boats and maintaining dams. She appreciated Japan’s provision of official development assistance (ODA) over the past two decades while valuing contributions by Kishida, who is also the General Secretary of the Japanese-Vietnamese Friendship Parliamentarians Union, to bilateral relations. Doan also proposed Japan increase aid to Vietnam in infrastructure construction, personnel training, health care, agriculture and support industry development, and receive more Vietnamese trainees. On his part, Minister Kishida affirmed that Japan regards Vietnam as an important partner and pledges to continue assisting the latter in its socio-economic development. He said his country is considering the provision of non-refundable aid for the Southeast Asian country’s disaster prevention and control programme and ODA loans for the fifth phase of another programme on climate change response. Japan will also seriously contemplate other cooperation proposals of Vietnam, the minister noted, adding that he hopes the two countries will coordinate more closely at regional and international forums as well as Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement negotiations. Regarding the East Sea issue, Vice President Doan shared Minister Kishida’s view on the importance of maintaining peace and stability and the full compliance with international law by relevant parties. Also on March 15, she laid a wreath at the cenotaph to the victims of the March 2011 earthquake-tsunami at Sendai’s Arahama area. Vietnam mission at UN holds gathering with Lao, Cambodian counterparts Vietnam’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, the World Trade Organisation, and other Geneva-based international organisations held a gathering with diplomats of the Lao and Cambodian missions in the Swiss city on March 13 on the occasion of the Lunar New Year. Head of the Vietnamese mission Ambassador Nguyen Trung Thanh appreciated the presence of the Lao and Cambodian sides, which demonstrated the countries’ time-tested friendship, solidarity, and multifaceted cooperation. With the geographical proximity and cultural similarities, the three nations have always supported one another in all circumstances and strived to foster their prosperity, peace, and development, he added. Cambodian Ambassador Ney Samol told Vietnam News Agency correspondents that his country’s traditional New Year festival Chol Chnam Thmay is coming in the next month, starting from April 13, with a diversity of customs and rituals to be observed. Meanwhile, Lao Ambassador Thongphane Savaphet said it was his honour to be one of the first guests of the Vietnamese mission in the Lunar New Year.- Top legislator meets female MPs ahead of IPU-132 National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of supporting tireless efforts to build an equitable society for all people. He made the statement in Hanoi on March 14 at a meeting with female Cambodian, Lao and Vietnamese parliamentarians and female ambassadors and chief representatives of international organisations in Vietnam on the occasion of International Women’s Day (March 8) and in the lead up to the 132nd Intern-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132). The top legislator praised his guests as outstanding women who have made important contributions to the development of Vietnam and the world as well as the enhancement of the relations between Vietnam and the international community. The IPU-132, scheduled to take place in Hanoi in late March, will offer a good chance to introduce Vietnam’s land, people and culture and to confirm its determination to ensure equal rights and opportunities for everybody, he stated. Under the theme “The sustainable development goals: Turning words into action”, the assembly will discuss measures towards sustainable development with gender equality objectives integrated into all activities of sustainable development goals similar to the process of realising millennium goals, he added. He expressed his hope that the women parliamentarians and leaders will continue bringing into full play what they have achieved towards the aim to promote equality and advancement for all. At the meeting, the guests were also briefed on the country’s preparations for the upcoming IPU-132, which will take place in Hanoi from March 28 to April 1. Minister: more effective coordination needed for Programme 135 Programme 135 designed for extremely-disadvantaged communes has brought new looks to impoverished communes, but drawbacks remain, Minister-Chairman of the Committee for Ethnic Affairs Giang Seo Phu told the National Assembly Standing Committee during a question-and-answer session in Hanoi on March 13. Launched in 1999, the programme has gone through three major stages, he said, adding that, it still meets difficulties caused by severe weather conditions and difficult access. In particular, the delay and lack of funding to the programme seriously hinder the progress of projects. The minister said designing medium- and long-term financing plans for the programme for the 2016-2020 period and beyond will help address this problem. He proposed streamlining the agencies involved in making policies for ethnic minority groups, while underlining the role of local authorities in implementing projects and plans. At the session, he also clarified issues involving resettlement in disaster-prone areas, free immigration, vocational training, housing and production land for ethnic groups. Top judge explains settlement of wrong convictions Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court Truong Hoa Binh explained in details to the National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee the settlement of wrongful convictions during a live-broadcast question-and-answer session in Hanoi on March 13. Answering NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s questions on the responsibility of judges when giving out wrong convictions, Binh said they may face suspension of reappointment, criminal proceedings or financial fines, depending on the seriousness of their mistakes. NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, in conclusion, said courts are to blame if any citizen is given a wrong conviction. Those who are to be held accountable are judges, chair of the trial, and jury panel, with Chief Judge of the Supreme People’s Court holding the highest political responsibility. The chief judge reported that the Supreme People’s Court has joined an inter-sectoral team grouping the Supreme People’s Procuracy and the Ministry of Public Security to handle requests for reinvestigation in 35 cases with sentences ranging from 20 years in prison to the capital punishment which were tried during the 13th tenure of the National Assembly. According to Binh, the joint inspection found no ground for retrial in 21 cases, while three other cases were referred to reviewing in order to clarify the characteristics and levels of law violations. The remaining 11 cases are still being scrutinized, he said. Besides the poor capacity of judges, Binh said another reason for wrongful convictions in criminal cases was the dependence on documents and evidence supplied by the investigative agency. To reduce wrongful conviction, he emphasized the need to enhance the role and responsibility of lawyers right at the start of a criminal case, while more training in both morals and professional skills should be given to court staff. During the session, Binh also spoke at length about five criminal cases of public concern that involve murder, asset robbery, child rape, and deliberate destruction of assets, including the settlement of wrong murder conviction on Nguyen Thanh Chan, 55, from the northern province of Bac Giang. ASEAN declaration reinforces community The ninth ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM-9) ended on March 16 with a joint declaration issued by all member nations to reaffirm the ADMM's commitment to work towards the realisation of an ASEAN community, including the ASEAN Political-Security Community. Regarding matter of the East Sea, the joint declaration asks ASEAN member states to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties (DOC), ASEAN's Six-Point Principles and the Joint Statement of the 15th ASEAN-China Summit, and ready for expeditiously working towards an early conclusion of the Code of Conduct (COC). The defence ministers showed concern over the rise of violence and brutality committed by the self-declared Islamic State and other extremist organisations and radical groups in Iraq and Syria. They condemned all terrorist acts. The joint declaration confirmed the hosting of the second ASEAN Defence Interaction Programme, which aimed at networking and strengthening co-operation among the member states' young military officers. The declaration also complimented the ASEAN Defence Establishment and Civil Society Organisations for their co-operation on non-traditional security issues. ASEAN member states said they would work towards the development of the ASEAN community's Post-2015 Vision and promote the role of the ADMM and the ADMM-Plus in maintaining regional peace and stability. Vietnam's delegation, led by Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh, joined the discussion of different issues, including traditional and non-traditional regional security issues, as well as the threat posed by the self-proclaimed Islamic State. The Vietnamese delegation proposed the development of a mechanism for improving and outlining future orientations for the ADMM. Earlier, Malaysia's initiative to establish an ASEAN peacekeeping force was supported by several member nations. VNA/VNS