Vietnam, Thailand boost bilateral cooperation

Vietnam and Thailand will bolster multifaceted
cooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies to help boost
bilateral relations and common development of the Southeast Asian region.

The agreement
was reached at a meeting between President of the Senate of Thailand, Teeradej
Meepien and Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Ngo Duc Thang.

Senate President Meepien affirmed Vietnam-Thailand cooperative relations are
developing based on mutual trust, sincerity and respect. The two National
Assemblies closely cooperated via exchanging delegations and cooperative
activities in the framework of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.

At the meeting, the two sides informed each other on the success of Vietnam’s
national elections of the 13th NA and People’s Councils at all levels and
preparations for general elections in Thailand, expected to take place on July
3. They also exchanged and shared views on issues of mutual concern, including
enhancing economic cooperation between northeastern Thai provinces and Vietnam
’s central provinces and the prospect of cooperation in overlapping sea areas.

Both also acknowledged the implementation of the programme on developing the
relic site on President Ho Chi Minh in the Thailand-Vietnam Friendship Village
and other projects on President Ho in Thailand, which represented the two
countries’ close friendship.

The projects are expected to create favourable conditions for the establishment
of a Vietnam-Thailand community and the ASEAN Community in 2015.

Truong Sa stones reach northern locality

Stones taken from Truong Sa archipelago. (Source: VNA)

Stones taken from the Truong Sa archipelago as
evidence of Vietnam’s sovereignty over the archipelago were presented to
authorities and people of the northwestern province of Dien Bien on June 10.

There are 21
pieces of stones, which have been collected from 21 islands belonging to Truong
Sa archipelago where there is the presence of soldiers of the Vietnam People’s
Navy.

Each piece of stone carries a symbol of the island where it was picked up, the
coordinate specifying the location of the island in the sea and an image of
Vietnamese bronze drum.

At the presentation ceremony, Rear Admiral Pham Ngoc Chan of the Vietnam
People’s Navy said, “the reception of sovereign symbols (stones) from the Truong
Sa archipelago is of political significance as the activity contributes to
heightening the people’s awareness, responsibility and pride in national
sovereignty.”

“The stones remind the young generations of the nation’s heroic tradition and a
sense of responsibility that each of them needs to display in firmly defending
Vietnam’s sovereignty over its sea and islands as well as territorial
integrity,” the naval officer said.

Those stones, as gifts from the Vietnam Naval Force and people on the island
district of Truong Sa, are being exhibited at the Museum of Dien Bien Phu
Victory in Dien Bien Phu city.

Germany aims to boost ties with Vietnam

Germany hopes to build a “German House” in Vietnam
to promote cooperation in politics, economics, and culture.

German Foreign Minister Guido Westerwell said
this while meeting with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign
Affairs Pham Gia Khiem in Berlin on the sidelines of the 10th Foreign
Ministers’ Meeting of the Asia-Europe Meeting (FMM ASEM 10).

Minister Westerwell briefed Mr. Khiem on the
outcome of his visit to Vietnam during which both sides signed a US$212 million
agreement to build an underground system in Ho Chi Minh City and a US$10 million
agreement on a vocational training programme in Vietnam.

Germany and Vietnam should take full advantage of
these opportunities to establish a strategic partnership, said Mr. Westerwelle.

Deputy PM Khiem appreciated Mr. Westerwelle’s
visit to Vietnam and affirmed that Germany is Vietnam’s biggest EU partner.

Vietnam is willing to be a gateway for Germany to
penetrate the ASEAN market and it supports building a “German House” in Vietnam.

The two ministers pledged to support each other
in international forums and prepare for German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s visit
to Vietnam, which is scheduled for October.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA