Vietnam, Croatia grant visa exemption to passport holders; Former Party General Secretary receives Norwegian scholar; Vietnam appreciates developments in Lebanon; President: Japan - a leading partner of Vietnam

The agreement was signed in Hanoi on October 29 by Vietnam’s deputy minister of Foreign Affairs, Nguyen Thanh Son, and Croatian ambassador to Malaysia and Vietnam, Zeljko Bosnjak.

Addressing the signing ceremony, Mr Son and Mr Bosnjak said the agreement shows the strong commitment of both governments to facilitate travel for citizens and develop cooperative relations between the two countries.

They agreed that the agreement will play an important role in promoting the exchange of delegations, strengthening cooperation and boosting friendship between Vietnam and Croatia.

The agreement will take effect 30 days after one country receives a final announcement from the other country that is has completed all required procedures for visa exemption.

PM pushes for stronger Vietnam-Turkey economic ties

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung received the President of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), Rifat Hisarcikhoglu, at Government headquarters on October 29.

The PM welcomed the visit to Vietnam by the Turkish business delegation and praised the cooperation between TOBB and the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in promoting trade and investment between the two countries.

He expressed his delight at the growth of bilateral ties in economics, trade and investment. Two-way trade might hit US$1 billion in the coming years, he said, cautioning that this achievement is still far from meeting the two countries’ potential.

Mr Dung said he hailed TOBB and VCCI’s agreement to set up a joint business council and hoped the two organizations will continue to promote investment for mutual benefit.

For his part, Mr Hisarcikhoglu thanked PM Dung and the Vietnamese government for taking a keen interest in Turkish businesses. The TOBB president said he hopes the Vietnamese government will continue to create favourable conditions for them to operate in Vietnam on a long-term basis, especially in textile, garment, and construction material industries.

He also suggested the countries open a Vietnam-Turkey air route and improve information exchanges to help their respective enterprises learn more about each country’s trade and investment opportunities.

Former Party General Secretary receives Norwegian scholar

Former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu held a working session with Professor Stein Tonnesson, director of Norway’s Institute for Peace Research, Oslo/PRIO in Hanoi on October 29.

At a reception, the former general secretary affirmed that Vietnamese people always love peace to build and develop the country. But, throughout history, they have had to fight against foreign invaders to protect the country’s independence and freedom.

Mr Phieu said the Vietnamese Party and State are pursuing a peaceful foreign policy with the motto of “diversification and multilateralisation of external relations”. Vietnam is not only a friend but also a reliable and responsible partner of all countries in the international community.

At the working session, Mr Phieu answered some questions by Professor Tonnesson about Vietnam’s past resistance wars against aggressors, the country’s implementation of international tasks, the current relationship between Vietnam and neighboring countries and the role of the Party in building the armed forces during the Doi Moi (Renewal) process.

Russian PM talks with Vietnamese counterpart over the phone

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on October 28 had a phone conversation with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung, according to the Russian government website.

During the talk, they discussed the current situation, commercial and economic development potential between the two countries and cooperation expansion in the fields of energy, manufacturing and military engineering.

The two PMs expressed their satisfaction with a 5.7 percent increase in bilateral trade turnover achieved despite the economic downturn.

During their talk, the Russian PM officially invited his Vietnamese counterpart to visit Russia. The date for the visit will be set later.

Vietnam appreciates developments in Lebanon

A Vietnamese representative to the UN said Vietnam welcomes positive developments in Lebanon in the past six months but still expressing concerns about challenges currently facing the country.

At the UN Security Council Consultations on Resolution 1559 (2004) regarding Lebanon on October 27, Ambassador Bui The Giang highlighted Lebanon’s success in maintaining calm and stable political and security situation, holding the parliamentary election in June and establishing full diplomatic ties with Syria.

The Vietnamese representative recognised the closer cooperation between the Lebanese authorities and the Palestinian camp authorities as contributions to improvements in security in Palestinian camps as well as security situation in the Lebanon.

In this context, he called upon all parties concerned in Lebanon to continue to adhere to the Doha Agreement, transcend sectarian and individual interests, and make every collective effort to expeditiously conclude the formation of a new Government and re-convene the National Dialogue.

However, the Vietnamese official expressed concerns over the challenges prompted by the repeated security incidents in and around Tripoli, the sporadic rocket attacks targeting southern Israel, the continued negative humanitarian conditions in Palestinian refugee camps, and the lack of progress in relation to Shab’a Farms and disarmament.

He reiterated the demand for an immediate end to Israel’s occupation of the northern part of Ghajar and violations of Lebanese airspace in contravention to Security Council resolutions and called for the full-fledged implementation of Resolution 1559 on all related fronts, ultimately leading to the assumption of full, effective and sole security responsibility by the Lebanese Government and Armed Forces all over the Lebanese territory.

The Vietnamese representative urged the parties concerned to take practical steps in collaboration with UNFIL to investigate acts of violence, tackle outstanding disputes by peaceful means and avoid any action that may potentially destabilise the situation on the ground.

The ambassador reasserted Vietnam’s support for the full implementation of all relevant Security Council resolutions toward the restoration of independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Lebanon and wished Lebanon the best preparations for its upcoming membership in the Council’s three-year term (2010-2012).

President: Japan - a leading partner of Vietnam

Japan is one of Vietnam’s most important partners in terms of economics, trade and investment, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet on October 28.

In an interview granted to journalists from the Japanese Kyodo News Agency, who are on a working visit to Vietnam, President Triet said the Vietnam-Japan Economic Partnership Agreement (VJEPA) took effect as of October 1, marking a milestone and contributing to the completion of legal frameworks to facilitate bilateral economic and trade ties.

Vietnam applauded the Japanese government’s move to increase its official development assistance (ODA) to the country this year, including a sum of US$500 million announced by Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama in late September, he said, adding that Vietnam will continue to use this funding effectively.

The President expressed his belief that, with the keen determination of senior leaders and the joint efforts of the peoples of both countries, the Vietnam-Japan relationship would develop sustainably and realise their strategic partnership.

Vietnam is pursuing a policy of strengthening its relations with all nations around the world, including Japan, and is expecting that Japanese investors will pour more investment into the Southeast Asian country, Mr Triet.

Regarding Vietnam’s recent achievements, the State leader stressed that the renewal process, which was initiated and is being led by the Communist Party of Vietnam, has reaped great successes of historical significance.

With its political stability, large market and an age-old and diverse culture, Vietnam is emerging as a safe and attractive destination for foreign investors and tourists, President Triet noted.

While talking about regional and international issues, the President affirmed that Vietnam always welcomes initiatives designed to promote cooperation in all areas.

Vietnam will do its utmost to contribute to peace, stability and development in the region and the world as a whole, he said.

Secretary of Singaporean Defence Ministry visits Vietnam

Defence Minister Phung Quang Thanh received the Permanent Secretary of the Singaporean Defence Ministry, Chiang Chie Foo, in Hanoi on October 28.

General Phung Quang Thanh welcomed Chiang Chie Foo’s visit to Vietnam, which, he said, contributed to increasing mutual understanding and friendship between the two military forces and people.

The Singaporean guest informed the host of his talks with Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh on the second Vietnam-Singapore defence policy dialogue.

During his stay in Vietnam, Permanent Secretary Chiang Chie Foo worked with the Vietnam People’s Army Navy High Command and visited the Ho Chi Minh National Political Academy and Ha Long Bay.

Algeria’s National Day celebrated in Hanoi

The Vietnam-Algeria Friendship Society and the Algerian embassy in Vietnam have celebrated the 55th anniversary of Algeria’s National Day.

The celebration ceremony, which took place in Hanoi on October 28, was attended by representatives from the Vietnamese Foreign Office and the Party’s Central Commission for External Relations, and many others from the friendship society and the Vietnam-Algeria secondary school in Hanoi.

At the ceremony, Deputy Director General of the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group Nguyen Quoc Thap represented the friendship society to send their congratulations to the Algerian Ambassador to Vietnam Naceur Boucherit and Algerian citizens in Vietnam, as well as Algeria’s leaders and people.

Mr Thap and Mr Boucherit shared the belief that the ties of friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Algeria will continue to grow and flourish.

PV