PM receives outgoing Panamanian ambassador; Law makers call for high quality of projects with Laos; Gov’t and Protestant leaders make one pledge; Egyptian deputy FM visits Vietnam; France – Vietnam’s trustful partner

Photo: VOV

Mr Dung praised the outgoing ambassador’s contribution to promoting friendship and cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade, maritime services and agriculture.

He expressed his hope that the ambassador would continue to help strengthen bilateral ties in whatever position she will hold in the future.

For her part, Lizia Zenaida Lu spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process and hoped the country would reap more successes in the future. She vowed to try her best to cement ties between Panama and Vietnam.

VietNamNet/VOV

Law makers call for high quality of projects with Laos

The Foreign Relations Committee of the National Assembly met in Hanoi on June 15 to examine the implementation of accords and commitments with Laos in economics, culture-education and science-technology.

They focused discussion on measures to strengthen coordination of action between the two parties, thus improving the quality and increasing efficiency of joint projects, in an effort to develop special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Vietnam is deploying a number of projects in Vientiane and several other provinces with the National Gymnasium of Laos in spotlight.

Gov’t and Protestant leaders make one pledge

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Vinh Trong and Pastor Nguyen Huu Mac, a senior cleric from the Protestant Church, Northern Vietnam, have pledged to do their utmost for socio-economic development.

During their meeting in Hanoi on June 16, Trong told the Head of the Executive Council of the Protestant General Council under the Protestant Church, Northern Vietnam, that the Government recognised Protestants’ recent contributions to the national construction.

He reiterated the Party and State’s unswerving policy to “respect freedom of religion and create conditions for all religions to exercise their beliefs in line with Constitution and law.”

Clerics and followers of the Vietnam Protestant Church, Northern Vietnam are require to uphold national traditions to further strengthen the national unity and join in patriotic movements, abide by law and work hard to contribute to the national development,” said the Deputy Prime Minister.

In reply, Pastor Mac expressed thanks to the Government for creating favourable conditions for his church to do missionary work over the past years.

He pledged to encourage clerics and followers to strictly follow the Party and State’s policies along with the church’s goal of “Respect God-Love the country.”

“Every Protestant should be a good citizen, doing his utmost to contribute to national development,” emphasised the Protestant cleric.

Egyptian deputy FM visits Vietnam

Deputy Foreign Minister Doan Xuan Hung held talks with his Egyptian counterpart, Ahmed Rezk, who is visiting Vietnam from June 13-15.

The two senior officials discussed measures to boost multifaceted cooperation, especially in economy, trade and education.

They also exchanged views on regional and international matters of common concerns and measures to intensify bilateral cooperation at various forums, especially the upcoming 15 th Non-Aligned Movement Summit to be held in Sharm El-Sheikh , Egypt in July.

The guest conveyed a letter by Egyptian Foreign Minister Ahmed Ali Aboul Gheit to Deputy Prime Minister and FM Pham Gia Khiem regarding strengthened cooperation between Vietnam and Egypt.

France – Vietnam’s trustful partner

France is Vietnam’s long-term trustful partner, said the President of the French-Vietnamese Entrepreneurs Council under the Movement of French Enterprises (MEDEF), Frederic Sanchez.

Sanchez, who led a French business delegation on a visit to Vietnam from June 8-12, told the Hanoi Moi newspaper that the visit aimed at promoting the cooperative relations between French and Vietnamese businesses despite the global economic downturn.

Sanchez, who has witnessed Vietnam’s strong development after visiting the Southeast Asian nations several times since 1992, said the country is on the right track of positive development, adding “finding the right direction is the most important thing.

Over recent years, Vietnam has conducted thorough reforms which have made changes to Vietnam’s legal system and helped the nation deeply integrate into international institutions, said Sanchez.

He, however, noted that foreign businesses, including French ones, are still facing difficulties regarding administrative procedures although the nation has exerted great efforts in simplifying these procedures.

VietNamNet/VNA