Vietnam wants to increase trade ties with Spain; Israel, Switzerland offer visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders; Paying debt of gratitude to war martyrs; State auditors urged to improve operational efficiency; Vietnam, Russia hold new strategic dialogue

Vietnam will do its utmost to boost cooperation with Spain, especially in trade, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung while receiving outgoing Spanish Ambassador to Vietnam Maria de la Soledad Fuentes Gomez in Hanoi on July 10.

He said that the Vietnamese government creates the best possible conditions for businesses, including those from Spain, to invest and operate efficiently in Vietnam.

The PM acknowledged the ambassador’s contributions to strengthening cooperation between the two countries, especially in trade, investment education and training. He expressed his wish that the ambassador would continue to foster bilateral ties in the future.

The Spanish diplomat praised Vietnam’s renewal achievements and affirmed that she will continue to promote friendship between the two countries.

Israel, Switzerland offer visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on July 10 approved a Vietnam-Israel agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders. The agreement was signed in Hanoi on May 21, 2009.

The same day, the PM also approved an agreement on visa exemptions for diplomatic passport holders between Vietnam and Switzerland. The agreement was signed in Hanoi on May 22, 2009.

Paying debt of gratitude to war martyrs

A memorial ceremony for young volunteer soldiers who laid down their lives during the wars of resistance against French colonialists and US imperialists was held at a cemetery in Bo Trach district, Quang Binh province, in central Vietnam, on July 11.

At the event, Nguyen Tien Nang, vice president of the Vietnam Association for Former Young Volunteer Soldiers, highlighted the young volunteer force’s contributions to the nation during the past 59 years. He said that in whatever the circumstances the force performed its vanguard role and demonstrated its firm resolve to fulfil its assigned tasks.

Between 1965-1975, more than 133,000 Youth Union members joined the young volunteer force to march to the southern front. They dug and built more than 2,000km of roads and ensured smooth traffic along the legendary Truong Son trail – the sole road at that time for transport of ammunition and essentials from north to south.

Thousands of them laid down their lives during fierce bombardments while working on these roads. More than 1,100 young martyrs of Construction Board 67 – the precursor of the present-day Civil Engineering and Construction Corporation (CIENCO 5)– were buried at Tho Loc and Van Ninh cemeteries in Quang Binh province.

Offering incense to 550 martyrs resting in peace at Tho Loc cemetery, State President Nguyen Minh Triet asked sectors and localities to pay more attention to improving the living conditions of war invalids, relatives of war martyrs and those who rendered great services to the nation. He expressed his hope that more businesses will take part in the ‘Paying debt of gratitude’ movement to support these social policy beneficiaries.

CIENCO 5 businesses pledged to build 180 houses worth VND4 billion for former young volunteer soldiers and presented VND400 million to the Vietnam Association for Former Young Volunteer Soldiers.

Earlier on the evening of July 10, a requiem for these martyrs was held at Tho Loc cemetery in the presence of Minister of Construction Ho Nghia Dung, CIENCO 5 leaders and representatives of 20 provinces and cities. Young volunteers, dressed in their traditional blue shirts, refurbished nearly 1,000 graves of the martyrs at the cemetery.

State auditors urged to improve operational efficiency

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong has praised the State Audit for its outstanding achievements in recent times and asked the agency to work harder to improve its performance.

Mr Trong gave the task to the State Audit at a meeting in Hanoi on July 10 to mark its 15th anniversary. He said that over the past years the agency has provided accurate data, helping the legislative body to make important decisions related to State budget estimates and public property.

The agency has also detected deficiencies, allowing the authorized agencies to make corrections in order to fine-tune economic mechanisms and ensure compliance with laws and policies.

Mr Trong emphasized that Vietnam is speeding up the process of Doi Moi (Renewal) and international economic integration which presents both opportunities and challenges. He called on the State Audit to improve its quality and efficiency and make itself a strong tool for the State in controlling, inspecting and supervising financial activities and public property.

To meet its tasks, he said the State Audit should pay particular attention to improving its training activities, recruiting qualified staff who have a firm political stance and good morals, and building a strong Party unit.

On the occasion, the NA Chairman presented the Independence Order, third class, to the State Audit.

Vietnam, Russia hold new strategic dialogue

Vietnam and Russia held the second strategic dialogue on foreign relations, national defence and security in Moscow, Russia, on July 9.

The Vietnamese delegation was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and the Russian side by First Foreign Minister Andrey Denisov.

They discussed a wide range of regional and international issues, especially in the Asia and Pacific region in the wake of the global economic-financial recession, as well as challenges to security in Vietnam and Russia.

They also examined measures to increase economic, trade and investment cooperation between the two countries and their coordination in international forums, especially in inter-regional mechanisms.

The annual event has been carried out since Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Russia in September 2007.

Lao PM extends sympathy for flood victims

Lao Prime Minister Bouasone Bouphavanh has sent a message of sympathy to his Vietnamese counterpart, Nguyen Tan Dung, over great human and property losses caused by recent floods and landslides in the northern mountainous provinces.

He expressed his hope that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and with the Vietnamese people’s tradition of mutual assistance, the flood-hit provinces and residents will overcome these difficulties and resume their normal lives soon.

PM pushes for stronger ties with Hainan

Vietnam wants to promote all-round cooperation with China, especially with border provinces, including Hainan, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Mr Dung made the statement while receiving Hainan governor Luo Baoming in Hanoi on July 9, saying the visit will help lift the comprehensive and strategic cooperation partnership between the two countries to new heights.

He noted that cooperative ties between Vietnam and Hainan have grown and flourished in recent years, and the two sides still have great potential for stronger cooperation.

Luo Baoming, who is leading a delegation of 150 businesses to visit Vietnam, said that trade and investment cooperation between Hainan and Vietnam is part and parcel of the strategic partnership between China and Vietnam.

He expressed his hope that the Vietnamese government would support the opening of a direct air route between Hainan and Hanoi and a maritime route between Hainan and Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City.

Mr Lou told Mr Dung that Chinese and Vietnamese businesses signed 18 deals valued at US$318 million at a joint seminar in Hanoi the same day.

Mr Dung voiced his support for the launch of the air and maritime routes between Vietnamese cities and Hainan, saying the decision will contribute to boosting their trade, investment and tourism. He also proposed that both sides should increase cooperation in the automobile industry, agricultural mechanisation, fishing, trade, education and training, as well as in the search and rescue work at sea.

The same day, Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem received the visiting Hainan governor.

FM spokesperson on US Senators’ request for release of Nguyen Van Ly

Nguyen Van Ly was arrested, tried and sentenced to prison on the charge of breaking Vietnamese law, not for religious reasons or political dissent, said Le Dung, a spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Mr Dung made the statement at a press briefing in Hanoi on July 9 in response to news that a group of US Senators had demanded the release of Ly.

Ly’s trial took place publicly and all his rights were guaranteed in court according to the law, Dung said, adding that any release must be considered under law.

He insisted that the Vietnamese State respects all citizens’ right to freedom and democracy and creates favourable conditions for them to exercise their rights. At the same time, it will firmly deal with all unlawful activities undermining the country’s security, order and stability.

Mr Dung said Vietnam will provide full information about Ly to the US Senators.

Former young volunteers honoured

The Vietnam Association of Former Young Volunteers held a ceremony in Hanoi on July 9 to mark the 59th anniversary of Vietnam Young Volunteers Day and glorify outstanding former young volunteers for following Ho Chi Minh’s teachings.

Addressing the event, State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan said the Party, State and public always honour the great service by generations of young volunteers in the cause of national liberation and construction.

The former young volunteers continue to build on their revolutionary tradition and set a bright example for younger generations.

A volunteer, Dinh Van Nhu, from the ethnic K’dong community in Quang Ngai province, has helped his own family prosper and raised his four children, who are now college students, while also helping people in his hamlet escape from poverty.

Another volunteer, Vu Thi Ngoc Lien, from Binh Thuan province, has mobilized people to help repair cottages for her former comrades.

PV