President hopes for further Vietnam-Laos cooperation; Party chief urges Can Tho to become regional hub; Vietnam supports Middle East peace process; PM welcomes RoK President’s Special Envoy; Uruguay President praises fruitful ties with Viet Nam

Photo: VOV

At a reception for the visiting Chief of the General Staff of the Lao People’s Army Major General Sanyahak Phomvihane in Hanoi on May 12, President Triet stressed that the comprehensive relationship between both Parties, States, people and armies of the two countries is a special and faithful example that the present and future generations must always respect and maintain.

Major General Sanyahak Phomvihane briefed the Vietnamese leader on the results of a meeting between two military delegations on the evaluation of annual cooperation protocols between the two national defence ministries. Both parties agreed to continue to cooperate and help each other in order to bolster the friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Earlier the same day, a ceremony was held in Hanoi to welcome Major General Sanyahak Phomvihane and a high-level delegation from the Lao People’s Army. The Lao military delegation had talks with a high-level delegation from the Vietnam People’s Army, headed by Chief of the General Staff Senior Lieutenant General Nguyen Khac Nghien.

They exchanged views on regional and world political and security issues and appraised cooperation between the two armies. They also agreed to continue implementing protocols signed between the two armies and boost cooperation in training to ensure technical logistics and exchange visits and experience on issues of mutual concern.

The same day, the Lao guests also paid a courtesy visit to Vietnamese Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh.

Party chief urges Can Tho to become regional hub

The southern city of Can Tho plays an important role in terms of economics, society, defence and security and must strive to become a driving force behind the development of the entire Mekong Delta, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

Mr Manh and his entourage were on a working visit to Can Tho on May 11-12, during which the party leader visited Cai Cui port and the construction site of O Mon Power Plant and met with the city’s party officials.

Mr Manh said that Can Tho needs to build on its potential and strengths to become a “first-class” urban centre before 2010 and an industrialized city before 2020, providing a stimulus for regional development. He stressed that Can Tho would be a centre for the Mekong Delta in several fields, including agriculture.

In order to achieve this target, the city must have sound planning and management, he said.

Mr Manh suggested local agriculture gear itself towards goods production closely linked with markets to raise the value of farming produce. He laid special emphasis on the application of scientific methods and biological technology to agrarian production.

The General Secretary asked scientists and researchers in the field of rice growing to assist farmers with cultivation. They must create new rice varieties that are high-yield, good-quality, and highly competitive in the world market.

The party chief told the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development to pilot a project to connect scientists and technicians to farmers, benefiting both sides.

He required the city’s party members to strengthen solidarity and pool their experience to increase their leadership capacity on a par with demands from the city’s development in the new period.

Can Tho has seen many considerable changes since being put under the direct management of the central government five years ago. Its economic structure has been shifted positively, with its annual income per capita hitting more than US$1,400 in 2008. The city’s infrastructure has also improved greatly with the construction of Cai Cui port, Can Tho airport, Can Tho bridge, and a system of roads.

Vietnam supports Middle East peace process

Vietnam welcomes Russia’s proposal to hold an international conference on the Middle East peace process in Moscow later this year, especially in the context that recent positive developments are overshadowed by continued insecurity, instability and the rise of tensions in the region.

Le Luong Minh, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Ambassador and Permanent Vietnamese Representative to the United Nations said this during a Security Council debate on the situation in the Middle East, including the ‘Palestinian question’ in New York on May 11.

While pledging support for a comprehensive solution to the Palestinian-Israeli conflict, that takes into account the legitimate rights and interests of all concerned parties, Ambassador Minh pointed out that the UN, the Quartet, the Leagues of Arab States and other regional countries all seek a two-State solution based on internationally-recognized guidelines.

“Vietnam is ready to join efforts to restart and move forward the Middle East peace process,” he said.

The Vietnamese diplomat called upon the international community to bring about a positive outcome after the International Conference for the Reconstruction of Gaza was held in Sharm el-Sheikh in March.

Ambassador Minh affirmed Vietnam’s continued support for the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) and expressed hope that all Palestinian parties will seek reconciliation and establish a united national government. He also reiterated Vietnam’s position that any attacks on UN and diplomatic premises and personnel are unacceptable.

Regarding the Lebanese issue, the Deputy Foreign Minister took note of the relative calm and stability that has prevailed since the signing of the Doha agreement one year ago.

”We reaffirm our support for a solution achieved through dialogue and cooperation on the basis of respect for the independence, sovereignty and the territorial integrity of Lebanon,” he said, adding that Vietnam hopes the parliamentary elections scheduled for June 7 will be free of violence, transparent and fair.

PM welcomes RoK President’s Special Envoy

Lee conveyed to PM Dung an invitation from RoK President Lee Myung Bak to pay an official visit to the country and attend a celebration of the 20^th anniversary of the ASEAN-RoK dialogue partnership.

Lee said his country and ASEAN will meet to discuss global issues such as climate change and the fight against crime and he looked forward to Vietnam’s contributions to holding the meeting successfully.

Speaking highly about the fine relationship between Vietnam and the RoK, Lee said Vietnam has a good environment for investment and shares a lot of similarities with the RoK, so RoK businesses see Vietnam as a destination for effective and long-term investments.

Lee also expressed his hope that the upcoming RoK visit by PM Dung would help bring bilateral relations to a new height.

PM Dung said that although the RoK is now a leading investor and one of Vietnam’s leading partners, the potential for more cooperation is still huge.

He stressed that Vietnam wishes to boost its long-term comprehensive cooperation with the RoK, thus contributing to both countries’ development as well as to peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

(Source: VOV)

Uruguay President praises fruitful ties with Viet Nam

Uruguay intends to become an even more important partner to Viet Nam, Uruguayan President Tabare Vazquez told Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan upon her arrival yesterday on an official visit to the country.

While Viet Nam was already a close partner of Uruguay in Asia, Vazquez said he viewed Doan’s visit as an opportunity to boost multifaceted co-operation and friendship between the two countries.

The Government and people of Uruguay consistently appreciated the friendship and co-operation with Viet Nam, Vazquez said, predicting that new efforts at co-operation would be fruitful.

Doan welcomed the chance to find more suitable means of co-operation and enhancing relations. She urged the Government of Uruguay to recognise the market status of Viet Nam’s economy in order to help create more favourable conditions for bilateral trade.

She also vowed that Viet Nam would actively support Uruguay’s candidacy for the UN Human Rights Council during 2009-12 and in other international fora in the future. Doan congratulated Vazquez and the people of Uruguay on their great achievements of stable economic growth and the higher status in the word arena.

(Source: Viet Nam News)