Government News 3/4 Deputy Defence Minister receives Boeing executive   Deputy Defence Minister Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh met with Senior Vice President of the US’s Boeing Company Marc Allen in Hanoi on April 2. The officer said the civil aviation cooperation between Boeing and Vietnamese enterprises has seen sound development over the past years. He asked Boeing to further coordinate with and introduce amphibious products to Vietnam’s military units and non-military enterprises. Marc Allen affirmed that Boeing will accelerate the expansion of its cooperation with Vietnam. He also said he hopes the Vietnamese Ministry of National Defence will create more favourable conditions for his firm to introduce its products to military units and businesses in the country.-VNA Justice Minister meets RoK legislative leader Minister of Justice Ha Hung Cuong presented Vietnam’s progress in judicial reform and enforcement of the 2013 Constitution while meeting with Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea (RoK) Chung Ui-hwa in Seoul on April 1. Cuong thanked the Korean NA, government and Speaker for their support to Vietnamese nationals in the RoK, hoping their assistance activities would continue deepening the bilateral strategic partnership. Chung hailed the first ever visit by the Vietnamese Minister of Justice as well as the outcomes of his working sessions with Korean relevant agencies, including the RoK Ministry of Justice, with the signing of a cooperation agreement. From March 31 – April 1, he held working sessions with the Prosecutor General and President of the Korean Bar Association. During his stay, Cuong is due to hold talks with the Minister of Government Legislation and sign a 2015-2016 cooperation agreement. He will also attend a workshop on law and economic development process and meet with the Korea International Cooperation Agency and the Supreme Court’s Judicial Research and Training Institute. Party Official greets Slovak National Council Deputy Speaker Head of the Party Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations Hoang Binh Quan held a reception for Janna Lassakova, Deputy Speaker of the National Council of the Slovakia and member of the Direction-Social Democracy (SMER-SD), on April 2. Janna Lassakova headed the Slovak delegation to the 132 nd Inter- Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132) in Hanoi, which wrapped up on April 1. At the meeting, Quan hailed the delegation’s participation in the IPU-132 as an important contribution to the event’s success. He voiced his delight at recent developments in bilateral ties across politics, economics and trade, highlighting that Vietnam wants to bolster relations with parties worldwide, including the SMER-SD party. Quan recommended further delegation exchanges to establish official relations, creating a political foundation for bilateral relations. For her part, Janna Lassakova expressed her pleasure at visiting Vietnam, affirming the Slovak Government considers Vietnam as a crucial Asian partner. She said that two sides need to foster their relations between parties, governments and peoples. NA Chairman receives South African legislative leader National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received Baleka Mbete, Speaker of the National Assembly of South Africa, in Hanoi on April 2. The Chairman said that Vietnam attaches importance to the cooperation relationship with South Africa and spoke highly of the “Partnership for Cooperation and Development” established in 2014. He expressed his hope that the South African National Assembly would support and encourage the two governments to cooperate actively and fully tap their relationship potential. The two nations need to boost cooperation in researching and applying biotechnology and exchanging State management experience on ocean science and environment protection, he added. For her part, the guest praised Vietnam ’s preparation, organisation and agenda for the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly. She hoped the two parliamentary bodies would share their experience in operations. The two legislative leaders agreed to boost parliamentary delegation exchanges, hold more meetings and support one another at regional and international parliamentary forums and discussed on issues of common interests.- Leaders receive Singapore parliament speaker State President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung hosted separate receptions for Speaker of the Singapore Parliament Halima Yacob in Hanoi on April 2. The two leaders sent their deep condolences to Singapore over the death of former Prime Minister Lee Kuan Yew – a friend of Vietnam, who shared valuable experience in managing the country. State President Truong Tan Sang expressed his pleasure at the growing ties between Vietnam and Singapore, spotlighted by elevating their relations to a strategic partnership. He said Vietnam treasures its cooperation with Singapore, which is playing an important role in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). He suggested the two sides increase high-level delegation exchanges, especially among parliamentarians. The Singaporean top legislator highlighted the sound political and economic relations between the two countries in anticipation of the formation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) this year. She underlined the 500-million strong ASEAN market will be a strong base for cooperation between countries in the region. She noted that Singapore is currently the third biggest investor in Vietnam, with a total investment of around 32 billion USD across five industrial parks in Vietnam. Singaporean private businesses are looking forward to opening two additional industrial parks in the Southeast Asian nation, she said. She added that the Singapore People Association has established cooperative ties with the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee, creating a foundation for the expansion of people-to-people exchanges. She congratulated Vietnam on successfully hosting the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assembly, which helped increase Vietnam’s position in the global arena. While meeting with Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, the Singaporean lawmaker suggested the two countries promote the implementation of signed cooperation agreements and build new collaboration programmes. She said the Singaporean parliament supports cooperative activities between the two countries’ governments for their mutual development. She pledged to make more contributions to propelling the bilateral relations forwards, especially in economics, trade, investment, education and training, and the construction of industrial parks in Vietnam. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung proposed Vietnam and Singapore give priority to their economic partnership given their ample cooperation opportunities in the field. He asked Singapore to accelerate the construction of the Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) 6 in central Nghe An province and the VSIP 7 in northern Hai Duong province. The PM described the VSIP project as a vivid symbol of the successful economic cooperation between the two countries. He also suggested Singapore grant additional scholarships to Vietnamese students. Singapore has provided training for 14,000 Vietnamese officials. Trade between the two countries neared 10 billion USD. Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly yields results The 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly in Hanoi was a strong success and its solidarity, cooperation, efforts and determination will be turned into policies and action programmes to bring tangible benefits around the globe. Tran Van Hang, Head of the National Assembly's External Relations Committee, made the remark as the IPU-132 closed after five days of working, adding that the event attracted the largest number of international delegations during its history. Delegates have contributed hundreds of opinions during meetings and debates during the five-day event, sharing their experience and challenges in pursuing the Millennium Development Goals, the deadline for which is just months away. Participants also offered solutions for the post-2015 agenda focusing on sustainable development goals. Hang said the Hanoi Declaration ‘Sustainable Development Goals: Turning Words into Action’ is the most convincing evidence of the fruitfulness of the IPU-132. The document will be important for the United Nations to draw up the post-2015 agenda, determining goals and specific orientations for sustainable development, according to Hang. He said all resolutions and solutions crafted during the IPU-132 have been sent to the parliaments of all participating countries for implementation. He added that many countries have shared their own plans and programmes of actions towards the 17 Sustainable Development Goals and 169 criteria. Venezuelan mass mobilisation presented in Hanoi Vice President of the United Socialist Party of Venezuela (PSUV) Dario Vivas gave a presentation on the mass mobilisation of the Bolivarian revolution during an international workshop in Hanoi on April 2. The event was held by the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration and the Venezuelan Embassy in Vietnam . Dario Vivas, who is also Vice President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s (IPU) Executive Committee, mentioned the context and remarkable events in the contemporary history of Venezuela as well as the basic contents of the mass mobilisation in the country. He also underlined the fundamental tasks of the PSUV, including its commitment to end inequality and promote social welfare policies to improve the living standards of its people. The parliamentarian also spotlighted the PSUV’s policies and guidelines in mobilising the masses and boosting the local economy. Deputy Head of the Ho Chi Minh National Academy of Politics and Public Administration Nguyen Viet Thao, who is also President of the Vietnam-Venezuela Friendship Association, extolled the contributions of the Venezuelan delegation to the success of the IPU-132 Assembly – which wrapped up in Hanoi on April 1. He said his academy is eager to study the Bolivarian revolution, which is included in the workshop’s agenda. He added that the presentation of the parliamentarian will provide experts with useful information and documents to serve their lecturing, and especially those who want to study Venezuela in depth. On the occasion, the Venezuelan Embassy introduced the late President Hugo Chavez’s “Blue Book” to the workshop. Talking with the Vietnam News Agency reporters, Dario Vivas spoke highly of Vietnam’s IPU-132 organisation, revealing that Speaker of the Venezuela National Assembly Diosdado Cabello will visit Vietnam in the coming time to provide a safeguard to economic agreements reached by the two countries. Vietnam People's Navy to mark 60th founding anniversary The Vietnam People's Navy presented programmes to celebrate its 60 th founding anniversary (May 7, 1955-2015) during a press conference in Hanoi on April 2. Accordingly, the agency will conduct a number of events, including a celebration in Cam Ranh-Khanh Hoa military port on May 2, a workshop, and photo exhibitions. On the occasion, aid will also be provided to naval veterans and disadvantaged families. The Vietnam People's Navy has rapidly expanded and contributed to the country’s glorious victories during its 60-year history. The force has twice been bestowed the title “Hero of the People’s Armed Forces” by the Party, State and Army. Khanh Hoa province commemorates 40 years of liberation The Central Coastal province of Khanh Hoa held a ceremony on April 2 to celebrate the 40 th anniversary of its liberation day (April 2, 1975-2015). In his opening remarks, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Nguyen Chien Thang recalled the glorious revolutionary tradition of the province during the nation’s struggle for independence and highlighted provincial achievements in the last four decades. Together with the strategy to continue tourism as the key economy, the province has mapped out four key socio-economic programmes, including building “new style rural areas”, developing ethnic regions, widening the urban system and developing human resources, he added. At the ceremony, Politburo member Ngo Van Du, who is also Secretary of the Party Central Committee and Head of the Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission, spoke highly of efforts made by local authorities and people to develop the province. Du underscored that provincial achievements will be the premise for the locality to develop into an economic-cultural centre of the South Central region. He urged the province to continue its economic transformation to ensure sustainable socio-economic development with a focus on marine and service economies. On the occasion, a special art show and fireworks display is scheduled to take place at 2-4 Square at 19:30. Parliamentarians discuss children’s right to nutrition Asian leaders and parliamentarians gathered at a conference in Hanoi on April 2 to recognise the vital role of parliamentarian leaders in advancing child nutrition and development. The conference, dubbed “the Role of Parliamentarians in the Fulfilment of Child’s Rights to Nutrition and Development,” was jointly held by UNICEF, the Alive & Thrive organisation and the Vietnam ’s National Assembly following the success of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132). Addressing the event, National Assembly Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu said strong and dedicated leadership across the South and East Asian region will help ensure investments in child nutrition and health are prioritised and nations have the human capital to remain competitive in today’s growing global economy. Many Asian countries have committed to improving child nutrition, a fundamental human right, through the Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC). Despite strong investments from these countries, progress on infant and child nutrition across the region has stalled. A quarter century post-CRC adoption, at least half of children are still stunted across six countries in East and South Asia . Stunting, or below average height for one’s age, reduces physical, social, and cognitive capacity throughout childhood and into adulthood. According to Member of the Afghanistan Parliament Fackhuda Zahra Naderi, countries across the South and East Asian regions continue to pay high economic costs for not addressing child stunting, including increased health and education costs. These compounding factors can reduce a country’s GDP by up to 3 percent, she noted. Participants at the event discussed ways policymakers and parliamentarians can support families to improve infant and young child feeding practices, particularly breastfeeding. They said parliamentarians can support families by strengthening legislation around the International Code of Marketing of Breast Milk Substitutes (BMS Code) and maternity protection. The BMS Code is designed to support optimal infant and young child nutrition by regulating how and where breast milk substitutes are marketed. Strong maternity protection policies help ensure that mothers can be employed in the formal sector and have the support they need to exclusively breastfeed their child for the first 6 months of life and continue supplementary breastfeeding through 24 months of age, they said. During the event, parliamentarians also suggested proposals and measures to ensure nutrition for children in each country, contributing to making effective legislative adjustments and implementing policies in each country across the Asia-Pacific region.- Swedish Parliament Speaker concludes Vietnam visit Speaker of the Swedish Parliament Urban Ahlin left Hanoi on April 2, wrapping up his official visit to Vietnam and attendance at the 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung. During his stay, the Swedish leader met with the Vietnamese NA Chairman, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, and officials from the Ministry of Health. The two countries’ leaders agreed to intensify comprehensive bilateral cooperation to meet the aspirations of their peoples. They concurred to enhance coordination in clean and renewable energy, transportation, banking-financial services and medical equipment to raise their trade above the current 1.2 billion USD. Both sides also planned to ramp up the exchange of parliamentary delegations and dialogues on regional and international issues of common concern. At the meetings, Speaker Urban Ahlin spoke highly of Vietnam’s organisation of the IPU-132 and affirmed the Swedish Government and Parliament are continually willing to assist and cooperate with the Southeast Asian country and contribute to bilateral relations.- President sends condolences over trawler sinking in Russia State President Truong Tan Sang has sent his condolences to Russian President Vladimir Putin over the sinking of a trawler in the Okhotsk Sea on the morning of April 2. The accident has claimed at least 54 lives. Over 130 people were aboard the Dalny Vostok trawler when it went down off the coast of Kamchatka. 64 people were rescued and 14 people are still missing. Vietnam, Slovakia strengthen bilateral cooperation National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son received the Slovakian parliamentary delegation on April 2, who are in Hanoi for an official visit and to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132). Son told his guests that the delegation’s participation in the IPU-32 signifies Slovakia’s friendship and good sentiment towards the Vietnam NA, contributing to the event’s success. For her part, Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council and Head of the delegation Jana Lassakova applauded Vietnam’s thorough preparations for the IPU-132 and voiced her pleasure with the event and Vietnam’s warm greeting of the delegation. During the talks held later, Son said the Vietnamese NA is standing ready to help Slovakian firms seek partnerships in Vietnam, especially in human resources, defence industry, and the oil equipment manufacturing. The two sides agreed to strengthen delegation exchanges at all levels to deepen mutual understanding and to share experience in legislative and supervisory activities. Later on the day, the Slovak parliamentarians were also received by Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai, who suggested Slovakia consider the provision of Official Development Assistance for projects on the environment, afforestation, waste treatment, water supply and drainage, community health, and human resources training in Vietnam. Deputy PM Hai asked for Slovakia doing more for the completion and signing of the Vietnam-European Union free trade agreement and the recognition of Vietnam’s market economy. Vietnam is ready to help Slovakia step up its relations with ASEAN and each individual member of the bloc, the Vietnamese leader said. The Deputy Speaker of the Slovak National Council said she is looking forward to accelerated cooperation with Vietnam across sectors, in particular tourism. VNA