Government News 9/4 Vietnam, Cambodia foster media relations Cambodian News Agency AKP considers its Vietnamese counterpart a close friend and important partner, stated AKP Director General Sok Mom Nimul while meeting with Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan on April 8. The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) has helped AKP with expertise and facilities, she said, adding that the long-term relationship’s momentum will be built upon for the sake of the two nations’ peoples and for regional and international peace. Concurring with her guest, the Vice State President urged the two agencies to collaborate further in technology and human resource development. As the ASEAN Community forms by the end of this year, their work together to devise regional initiatives could contribute significantly to the community’s growth, Doan noted. She highlighted the Vietnamese Government consistently prioritises strengthening friendship and comprehensive cooperation ties with Cambodian Government. Vietnam, Cambodia news agencies mull over cooperative tasks Director General of Vietnam News Agency (VNA) Nguyen Duc Loi and his counterpart from the Cambodian Press Agency (AKP) Sok Mom Nimul held talks in Hanoi on April 8, discussing measures to boost bilateral cooperation. The VNA Director General suggested increasing the mutual sharing of information and coverage of latest developments in the Vietnam-Cambodia relations and their traditional friendship. He said the connection between the two agencies is not on par with the political relations between the two countries and they should expand their partnership for mutual benefit. While reviewing the status of their recent coordination, Nguyen Duc Loi stressed the need to open more professional training courses, launch a technical upgrade project for the AKP, connect the VNA television channel (Vnews) with AKP’s cable television network, and publish the bilingual pictorial “Dan Toc & Mien Nui (Ethnic Minorities and Mountainous Areas) in Vietnamese and Khmer languages in Cambodia. The host asked the AKP to design a specific plan on VNA’s technical infrastructure support to be submitted to relevant Cambodian agencies and added to the portfolio of projects within the Vietnam – Cambodia Inter-Committee framework. Agreeing with the VNA Director General’s proposals, Sok Mom Nimul said the two agencies should intensify the cooperation, particularly in popularising information on the formation of the ASEAN Community, slated to debut later this year. She underlined the VNA’s help to the AKP and pledged close collaboration with VNA to introduce Vietnam and its people to Cambodians, thus contributing to the friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations. With their cooperative ties established in 1979, the VNA and AKP signed a professional cooperation agreement in July 2006 in Hanoi, facilitating daily news and photo sharing, annual visits, technical assistance, expertise exchange and mutual consultations at regional and global forums. The AKP has also offered all possible assistance to VNA reporters based in Cambodia At the end of the talks, a document on the transfer of equipment as VNA’s aid to AKP was signed. Ho Chi Minh City hopes for closer investment ties with Laos Secretary of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee Le Thanh Hai has proposed the Lao Government create more favourable conditions for businesses from Vietnam and the southern city in particular to invest in Laos by speeding up legal and administrative procedures, especially for investment licences and land use. Meeting Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in Vientiane on April 8, the city leader suggested that both sides roll out timely measures to remove difficulties for Vietnamese and Ho Chi Minh City firms during the implementation of projects in Laos . He congratulated Laos on its stable economy with more than 7.5 percent annual growth and its rising global position. He affirmed that Vietnam will support Laos in executing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2016, the first year of the ASEAN Community’s operation. The Lao PM lauded Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane’s active delegation exchanges to increase mutual understanding and bilateral cooperation. PM Thammavong spoke highly of Ho Chi Minh City’s regular sending of delegations to Lao localities to help them develop infrastructure and production. The Lao leader thanked the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam, as well as Ho Chi Minh City, for their great assistance to his country. He pledged to do his utmost to work with Vietnam to promote the growing comprehensive partnership between the two countries. Earlier the same day, the Ho Chi Minh City leader was also received by Lao Vice President Bounnhang Volachit who expressed his delight at the close ties between the two Parties and Governments. The Lao leader said he hopes the two sides will further expand their partnership. Hai briefed his host on the outcomes of cooperation between the city and Vientiane , affirming that he will work to promote collaboration between the city and Lao localities across sectors while enhancing the effectiveness of ongoing joint projects. On the occasion of the Lao traditional New Year Bun Pi May, Hai extended his wish for prosperity and happiness for the Lao people. He also wished the special ties between Vietnam and Los would further flourish. During his stay, Hai and the city’s delegation paid a New Year visit to Lao Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Sayasone, Deputy National Assembly Chairman Saysomphon Phomvihane, former Prime Minister Sisavat Keobounphan and former National Assembly Chairman Saman Vinhaket.- Navigation sector should leverage marine potential: lawmakers It is necessary to amend and supplement several articles in the navigation code in order to develop the navigation sector on par with the country’s maritime potential, said lawmakers at the ongoing 37 th session of the 13 th National Assembly (NA) Standing Committee in Hanoi on April 8. The amendments should be based on the 2005 navigation code and in line with the 2013 Constitution, legal normative documents and international practices, said deputies. They noted that 58 of the 261 articles in the code have been revised and supplemented, focusing on regulations on State management, marine equipment and technical issues. Lawmakers suggested clarifying institutional shortcomings to remove problems in planning and building seaports and fleets as well as developing navigation services, shipbuilding and human resources. To this end, it is possible to expand the scale of code amendments to create fundamental changes and breakthroughs in the navigation industry, turning Vietnam into a strong and rich marine country. It is also important to revise regulations featured in the code to implement administrative reform and facilitate navigation activities while enhancing the capacity of the management staff, deputies said. Chairman of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee Nguyen Van Giau suggested reviewing relevant regulations in other laws and ordinances such as the Law on businesses, the Law on inland waterway navigation, the Law on Vietnamese sea, the Ordinance on fisheries examination, and the Ordinance on capturing fishing vessels. Delegates also gave opinions on State navigation management and investigation. In the afternoon, delegates will focus discussion on the revised Law on the State Budget and hear the outcomes of the 132 nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU). Lao leader hails Vietnam labour and social welfare cooperation Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong lauded the results of the 4th Vietnam-Laos Labour and Social Welfare Ministerial Meeting while receiving a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs (MOLISA) in the capital city of Vientiane on April 7. He told the delegation—led by Minister Pham Thi Hai Chuyen—that their working visit would contribute to boosting bilateral friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the parties, states and people of Vietnam and Laos. For her part, Chuyen thanked the Lao government and people for their warm reception. She also affirmed that the two countries are set to deploy the Vietnam-Laos labour cooperation pact to boost programmes on labour, welfare and personnel training. The 4th Vietnam-Laos labour and social welfare ministerial meeting took place in Vientiane on the day, highlighting the close and effective engagement between the two agencies. Participating officials informed each other on their countries’ current policies and laws related to the workforce and social welfare. Appreciating the achievements resulting from their cooperation in recent years, they discussed measures to address obstacles to improving ties in social security, insurance and vocational training, among others. Minister Pham Thi Hai Chuyen and her Lao counterpart Onchan Thammavong agreed that their inter-ministerial affiliation has grown in quality and scale in line with the specific needs of each nation. VNA