Government News in Brief Brazilian President cancels official visit to Vietnam   Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff. Brazilian President Dilma Vana Rousseff will not make an official tour of Asian countries, including Vietnam, as scheduled due to internal reasons, the Vietnamese Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on November 30. Earlier, the leader was expected to pay an official visit to Vietnam from December 1 – 2 at the invitation of President Truong Tan Sang.- State President greets DPRK prosecutor President Truong Tan Sang on December 2 hosted a reception for Jang Byong Gyu , head of the Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), who is on a working visit to Vietnam. At the meeting, the President spoke highly of cooperation outcomes between the DPRK Supreme Public Prosecutors’ Office and the Supreme People’s Procuracy of Vietnam. The leader noted his wish that the two sides would work harder to actualise their commitments and agreements, thus elevating relations between the two sectors and countries. The Vietnamese Party and State will create optimal conditions for the two agencies to strengthen their coordination, he promised. President Truong Tan Sang suggested the DPRK officials raise proposals to diversify the two sides’ cooperation programmes. Jang Byong Gyu wished Vietnam more achievements, and early fulfillment of its industrialisation and modernisation goals. He highlighted the exchange of high-ranking delegations and the signing of a range of cooperation agreements, which have helped advance the two countries’ relationship. The guest pledged to do his utmost to promote the traditional friendship between the two countries and peoples. The official used the occasion to inform his host about his country’s socio-economic situation and its future course of development. He also voiced his thanks for the Vietnamese people’s support for the DPRK during its national construction. Congratulations on Vietnam-Cuba ties’ 55th founding anniversary Vietnamese leaders sent congratulations to their Cuban counterparts on December 1 on the 55th founding anniversary of the countries’ diplomatic relationship (December 2, 1960). Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung sent congratulatory messages to the First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba and President of the Councils of State and Ministers of Cuba, Raul Castro Ruz. National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung extended congratulations to the President of the National Assembly of People’s Power of Cuba, Esteban Lazo Hernandez. The same day, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh offered a similar message to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. Havana get-together marks Vietnam-Cuba ties The Vietnam Embassy in Cuba’s capital city of Havana has hosted a get-together to mark 55 years of the diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Cuba. The event saw the attendance of 300 guests, including Cuban National Assembly Deputy Chairwoman Ana Maria Mari Machado and officials from ministries and agencies of Cuba, alongside international diplomats. Speaking at the ceremony, Vietnamese Ambassador to Cuba Duong Minh reviewed the history of the traditional friendship. He took the occasion to express gratitude for Cuba’s help to Vietnam’s revolution, particularly during the fierce resistance war for national independence. He congratulated Cuba on recent socio-economic achievement and expressed his firm belief in the growing bilateral cooperation. Earlier, the Organisation of Solidarity of the People of Asia, Africa and Latin America held a meeting to celebrate the anniversary, featuring relevant documentary screening, photos and publications. Vietnamese delegation visit Laos’ former leaders A high-ranking Vietnamese Party and State delegation, led by Le Hong Anh, Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee Secretariat, visited several former Lao leaders during their visit to Laos to attend celebrations of Laos’ 40th National Day. On December 2, the delegation visited Saman Vinhakhet, former Politburo member, former National Assembly Chairman and former Head of the Central Steering Committee for Ideology and Theory , and Sisavath Keobounphan, former Prime Minister and former Chairman of the Lao Front for National Construction. At the meetings, Le Hong Anh congratulated Laos on the achievements the country has reaped in the past 40 years and expressed his belief that Laos will achieve more successes in the future. He praised the former leaders’ contributions to Laos’ revolutionary cause as well as the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos. He affirmed that in any circumstances, the strengthening of the relationship is a strategic mission of vital significance to the development of each country. Vietnam will work together with Laos to preserve and develop the relationship and pass this tradition to later generations, he said. Le Hong Anh, on behalf of the Party and State leaders, thanked Laos for its assistance and support for Vietnam’s resistance war as well as the country’s reconstruction. The Lao former leaders affirmed that Laos’ victories in the revolutionary cause are inseparable from the great assistance from the Vietnamese Party, State, Army and people. They noted their belief that the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples will continue to be strengthened and developed, bringing practical benefits to the people of the two countries and contributing to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world. PM gives nod to law and judicial enforcement scheme The Prime Minister has approved a law and judicial enforcement scheme that will run in Vietnam from 2015-2020. The project has a total capital of 15.6 million EUR (16.5 million USD), 14 million EUR ( 14.8 million USD) of which comes from European official development assistance and 500,000 EUR from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). The remainder is being subsidized by the State Budget. The goal of the project is to develop the country’s judicial system and make it more accessible. The project aims to improve public awareness and understanding of their rights, increase legal asistance and consultation, complete the legal framework and reinforce accountability and transparency in the field. Grand meeting marks Laos’ National Day A grand meeting was held in Hanoi on December 2 to celebrate Laos’40th National Day and the 95th birthday of late President Kaysone Phomvihane. On behalf of the Vietnamese Party, State and people, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung congratulated the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and Lao people on their achievements over the past four decades. He said he believes that the LPRP will continue leading the Lao people to successfully implement the national construction and protection and firmly advance to socialism. The top legislator expressed his deep gratitude to President Kaysone Phomvihance for his significant contributions to building and nurturing the special solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Laos. Lao Ambassador to Vietnam Thongsavanh Phomvihane said from a backward and agriculture-dominated economy, Laos has incessantly devolved after 30 years of “Doi Moi” (reform) to record an annual economic growth of 7-8 percent. The per capita income is expected to reach nearly 1,800 USD in 2015 and the rate of poor households is forecast to drop to 6.5 percent, he said, adding that Laos has so far this year greeted over 4 million foreign tourists thanks to stable politics. Laos is preparing for the socio-economic development plan between 2016 and 2020, focusing on industrialisation, modernisation, and active international integration to raise the country’s position in the region and beyond, the ambassador said. The time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, which was founded by late Presidents Kaysone Phomvihane and Ho Chi Minh, have become an invaluable asset of the two nations, he added. Over the past four decades, that relationship has been thriving across the fields despite complicated and unpredictable developments in the region and the world, he noted. The diplomat also applauded Vietnam’s remarkable achievements after nearly 30 years of reform, saying the role and position of the country have been regionally and globally raised. He took this occasion to thank the Vietnamese Party, State and people for their support and assistance given to Laos in the past as well as at present. Visitors to the meeting were also treated to a special art performance featuring the unique culture of Vietnamese and Lao ethnic groups. Vietnam’s role in UNESCO member cooperation stressed Vietnam plays an important role in intensifying mutual understanding and cooperation between the UNESCO member states, Irina Bokova, Director-General of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) said. She was speaking to Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung during their meeting at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on December 1. Director-General Irina Bokova said that the PM’s visit was a manifestation of the close relationship between UNESCO and Vietnam. Vietnam has contributed effectively to preserving, and promoting cultural values of humanity as well as implementing Millennium Development Goals, especially in education, sustainable development, environmental resources protection and climate change adaptation, she affirmed. She praised Vietnam as one of the 10 countries successfully piloting the “One UN House” initiative, backed the country’s sending of officials to work at UNESCO offices, and hoped for Vietnam’s support of the organisation’s efforts to enhance cooperation with ASEAN. PM Nguyen Tan Dung stressed that Vietnam always wishes to build trusted relationship with UNESCO and its member states since it became a UNESCO member in 1976. UNESCO has had numerous practical contributions to Vietnam, her communities, and localities, particularly in policy and law making. Thanking the member states’ confidence in selecting Vietnam for the UNESCO Executive Council for the fourth time, the Government leader confirmed that Vietnam will join efforts with others to proactively participate in the organisation’s important decisions, while being an active and responsible member of the international community. He expressed his hope that the organisation will continue support for Vietnam in the training of human resources in the culture sphere and its dossiers seeking world heritage recognition. Politburo member Le Hong Anh attends Laos’s 40th anniversary Politburo member Le Hong Anh has offered congratulations on the great and historical achievements Laos has gained over the past 40 years, especially during the three-decade reform process. These achievements will serve as a firm foundation to help the renewal process enter the next phase, thus contributing to consolidating and intensifying the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, as well as maintaining peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world. Anh, who is in Laos to attend celebrations of the country’s National Day (December 2), made the statements at receptions hosted by Lao Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Sayasone, Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong and National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotu in Vientiane on December 1. The Vietnamese official, who is also permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat, wished that Laos would reap more fruits during its nation building and defence, successfully organise the 10 th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and fulfil the responsibility of the Chair of ASEAN in 2016. Speaking highly of the results of the bilateral comprehensive cooperation, Anh confirmed that the ties are the priceless treasure of both nations, and need to be protected, developed and passed to the next generation. In any circumstances, Vietnam will do its utmost to, together with Laos, consolidate and enhance the bilateral time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, he added. The Lao leaders affirmed that the presence of the Vietnamese Party and State delegation at Laos’ anniversary is a vivid manifestation of the two countries’ special relations. The foundation of the Lao People's Democratic Republic on December 2, 1975 was an important historical milestone, a great triumph of the Lao people under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, and a common victory of the combat alliance of Vietnam and Laos, and that of Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia, they stated.- Senior Party official receives Vietnam-Japan special ambassador The Vietnam-Japan Special Ambassador Sugi Ryotaro pledged to exert himself to strengthen friendship between the two peoples, particularly in cultural and people-to-people exchanges while meeting Politburo member and permanent member of the Party Central Committee’s Secretariat Le Hong Anh in Hanoi on November 30. Sugi, who is also Japan-Vietnam Special Ambassador, informed the host of his recent activities, including holding the Vietnam-Japan cultural exchange which was aired on the Vietnam Television, facilitating medical care for Vietnamese children living with heart diseases as well as exchanges between the two countries’ police. Anh, for his part, hailed the guest’s work in economic, education, science-technology, health care, cultural and people-to-people exchange fields as practical contributions to fostering bilateral friendship and cooperation in the spirit of the extensive strategic partnership for peace and prosperity across Asia and the Statement on Joint Vision of the Vietnam-Japan Relationship reached during Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit last September. He reiterated the Party and State’s consistent stance on valuing the Vietnam-Japan ties for long-term benefit of the two peoples. The host suggested further collaboration to realise signed agreements and hoped that the ambassador would continue expanding bilateral exchanges at all levels. National patriotic emulation congress to open next month The ninth National Patriotic Emulation Congress is scheduled for December 6 and 7 in Hanoi, the organizers said at a press briefing on November 30 in the capital. Deputy Minister of Home Affairs Tran Thi Ha said the congress will have the theme “solidarity, creativity, and emulation for national protection and construction”. The opening ceremony will take place on December 7, said Ha, who is also Head of the Party Central Committee's Commission for Emulation and Rewards. The Presidium of the congress is composed of 35 senior officials from the Party, the State, the National Assembly, the Government, the Vietnam Fatherland Front, ministries, sectors and localities. As many as 2,000 delegates are expected to attend the event. Outstanding individuals will be honoured for their contributions to the national patriotic emulation movements between 2011 and 2015. The delegates are also scheduled to pay tribute to President Ho Chi Minh at his Mausoleum and offer incense at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs in Hanoi, according to the organisation board. Art performance and exchanges will form part of the activities for the event. A movement to follow outstanding examples in all fields will also be launched together with the “Following President Ho Chi Minh’s moral examples” drive.-VNA VNA