Construction of new National Assembly building starts; PM Dung receives RoK Minister; Malta supports Vietnam’s efforts to increase ties with EU

Photo: VOV

Present at the ceremony were Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Deputy Prime Ministers Truong Vinh Trong and Hoang Trung Hai, Deputy Chairmen of the National Assembly Nguyen Duc Kien and Uong Chu Luu, and leaders of various ministries and central agencies.

PM Dung stressed on the need to implement the construction regulations and ensure the progress and quality of the project designed by the German architects GMP, which won first prize in recent design contest.

The new building will have seven floors, including two basements and a tunnel linked to the headquarters of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. It is expected to be completed by the third quarter of 2012 at an estimated cost of VND4,797 billion.

PM Dung receives RoK Minister

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung made the statement while receiving RoK Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Yu Myung-hwan in Hanoi on October 12.

He said that the friendship and relationship between the two countries has developed strongly in recent times. Since Vietnam and the RoK established diplomatic ties in 1992, two-way trade has reached US$10 billion and bilateral investment US$20 billion.

For his part, Minister Myung-hwan confirmed that the RoK wants to strengthen cooperative ties with Vietnam. He said that the RoK is actively implementing agreements signed during Mr Dung’s official visit to this Northeast Asian nation in June 2009 to bring cooperative ties to new heights.

Malta supports Vietnam’s efforts to increase ties with EU

He affirmed that Malta will lobby other EU member countries to support an early abolition of trade barriers the EU has set up against several Vietnamese exports to this large market.

He also voiced Malta’s support for Vietnam’s bid to join the UNESCO Executive Council.

The President said that relations between Malta and Vietnam have fared well and that the two countries have great potential for promoting bilateral cooperation in information and communication technology (ICT), banking, maritime transport, pharmacy, tourism, education and training.

He expressed his belief that Malta and Vietnam will soon end negotiations and sign a number of cooperation agreements, including those on double tax avoidance and investment promotion and protection.

Ambassador Thoai said that the Vietnamese government and people want to promote cooperation with Malta, especially in economics, trade and investment.

He also met with Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Tonio Borg.

Serbian president pushes for strong ties with Vietnam

While receiving Ambassador Nguyen Quang Chien in Belgrade last week, President Tadic said he hopes that the two countries will work closely together in settling international issues in multilateral forums.

He expressed admiration for the Vietnamese people’s struggle for national liberation and independence in the past and their achievements made during the Renewal process. He also thanked Vietnam for maintaining its stance on Kosovo.

Ambassador Chien affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State attach great importance to strengthening the traditional friendship and all-round cooperation with Serbia in the interests of the two nations.

He extended President Nguyen Minh Triet’s regards and invitation to President Tadic to visit Vietnam.

VietNamNet/VOV/VNA