NA leader affirms close ties with Thailand; Japan honours former Vietnamese officials; More markers built on Vietnam-Cambodia borderline

Ms Phong said that the two countries should increase the exchange of visits by parliamentarian groups and legislative agencies to promote mutual understanding and cooperation, as well as overseeing their governments in carrying out its commitments within the framework of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Paijit Sreenwarakan praised Vietnam’s solutions to maintain political stability and positive economic growth given the global financial and economic crisis. He said that most overseas Vietnamese in Thailand have been granted Thai citizenship and have made important contributions to Thailand’s economic development.

He expressed his hope that cooperation and exchange between the two legislative bodies would be further expanded, contributing to the development of the two countries’ relationship.

On May 28, Mr Paijit held talks with Vice Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Affairs Ngo Duc Manh, who is also the Chairman of the Vietnam-ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group.

VietNamNet/VOV

Japan honours former Vietnamese officials

Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Mitsuo Sakaba, on May 29 presented his country’s Order of the Rising Sun to two former Vietnamese officials, Vu Mao and Vu Khac Lien.

Vu Mao is the former head of Vietnamese National Assembly’s Committee for External Relations and the National Assembly’s Office and Vu Khac Lien is the former Deputy Minister of Culture and Information (currently the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism) and also former Deputy Chairman and General Secretary of the Vietnamese-Japanese cultural exchange association.

Addressing the presentation ceremony, the Japanese diplomat said his country appreciates the contributions the two former Vietnamese officials made in developing the relationship and cooperation between the two countries.

Vu Mao is among those who helped create effective exchanges between parliamentarians from both countries, the ambassador said, adding that Vu Khac Lien has created numerous cultural exchange programmes between Japan and Vietnam over the years.

The two former Vietnamese officials thanked the Japanese emperor, government and people for their recognition and gratitude.

Apart from Vu Mao and Vu Khac Lien, former Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and former Deputy Prime Minister Vu Khoan also received the honour.

More markers built on Vietnam-Cambodia borderline

Vietnam ’s southern Kien Giang province and its Cambodian neighbour, Kampot province, have put into use 13 new border markers built on their common border line.

Addressing the inauguration ceremony on May 29, Kampot’s President Khuoi Khunhua said the event stamped a new development step of the bilateral relations between the two provinces.

The event also showed the unceasingly development of the friendship and cooperation at the two countries’ border areas towards building a border line of peace, stability and development.

At the ceremony, the two sides agreed to upgrade a couple of border gates – Ton Hon (Kampot) and Giang Than (Kien Giang), in order to facilitate trade and travel between people of the two provinces.

VietNamNet/VNA