Vietnam assumes ALA presidency; Da Nang to host two diplomatic events in 2010; Vietnam supports UNMIK’s role in Iraq; Vietnam supports efforts for peace progress in Congo

Pham Quoc Anh, Chairman of the Vietnam Lawyers Association (VLA) was elected as ALA Chairman for the 2009-2012 term and Deputy General Secretary of the VLA Le Thi Kim Thanh ALA General Secretary.

At the congress themed “ASEAN Charter – Taking ASEAN to New Heights”, participants discussed six main issues including the impact of the recently-ratified ASEAN Charter on legal education in member countries, ways to settle legal matters in line with the charter, new developments in the legal system and investment laws of ALA member states.

They also examined judicial reform and the enforcement of rulings by international trade arbitrators in ASEAN countries.

Speaking at the congress, Pham Quoc Anh confirmed that the Vietnam Lawyers Association will try its best to fulfill the tasks assigned by the ALA and expressed his hope that the ALA will gain more achievements in the future under the ASEAN Charter’s framework.

ALA was established in Jakarta, Indonesia in February 1979, and now has become one of the largest regional non-governmental organizations in Southeast Asia.

Da Nang to host two diplomatic events in 2010

The central city of Da Nang has been selected to host two significant diplomatic events in 2010 – the 60th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties (Jan. 30) and the 65th anniversary of Victory over German fascism (May 9).

Da Nang, together with Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, will be the venue for various cultural activities to celebrate these events.

A grand meeting will be held in Da Nang to mark 60 years of Vietnam-Russia diplomacy and there will be a cultural programme to highlight the Russian people’s great national defence war against German fascism.

Vietnam supports UNMIK’s role in Iraq

Viet Nam continues to support the critical role of the United Nations Interim Administration Mission in Kosovo (UNMIK) in maintaining security and stability in Kosovo.

Ambassador Bui The Giang, Vietnamese Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN made the statement at a UN Security Council’s debate on Kosovo’s situations on October 15 under his chair.

Ambassador Giang said on behalf of the Vietnamese government he applauded UNMIK’s efforts to engage with all communities in Kosovo and facilitate the cooperation between Belgrade and Pristina.

“We are encouraged to note that the Mission has successfully completed its reconfiguration and moved into a new phase with a strong focus on providing mediation services to both local communities and international organisations operating in northern Kosovo,” he added.

The ambassador said he remains concerned about the fragile security situation in Kosovo, marked by a series of security-related incidents and confrontations between Kosovo Serb and Kosovo Albanian communities in the north.

He called upon the local authorities in Pristina and Belgrade to continue to work closely with all relevant international stakeholders towards negotiated solutions to differences through peaceful means.

Ambassador Giang also urged all sides to reinforce their constructive engagement and cooperation with UNMIK within the framework of Security Council resolution 1244 (1999) in working towards the achievement of solutions to long-standing impasses and of peace and security in the Balkans as a whole.

Vietnam supports efforts for peace progress in Congo

A Vietnamese diplomat has applauded the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) Government’s commitment to implement the March-23 peace deal and to re-integrate armed groups into the governmental military.

Speaking at the UN Security Council debate on Congo ’s situation and the activities of the UN Mission in the DRC (MONUC), on October 16, Ambassador Le Luong Minh, representative of Vietnam to the UN Security Council, also praised the DRC and Rwanda ’s cooperation in holding the Goma summit on August 6.

The ambassador urged the two countries to undertake more trust-building measures for the targets of peace and stability in the Great Lakes region.

He said he supports the efforts and contributions by the UN Secretary-General’s Special Envoy in the Obasanjo Great Lakes region to the peace progress and the implementation of the UN’s security and stability assistance strategy.

Ambassador Minh also appreciated MONUC’s efforts in protecting civilians and fighting violence.

VietNamNet/VOV/VNA