Ambassadors urged to boost Vietnam’s profile; Mexican State seeks stronger ties with Vietnam; PM receives Lao education minister; Former leaders contribute to draft political report; AIPA gets new Philippine Secretary General

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked newly accredited Vietnamese ambassadors to mobilise foreign aid for national development, particularly in coping with climate change, educational cooperation and labour export.

At a meeting in Hanoi on February 5, Mr Dung said as representing Vietnam in foreign countries, the ambassadors, heads of representative diplomatic missions and general consuls should work hard to raise the country’s profile in the international arena.

He noted that Vietnam has increased its status regionally and globally, has become an ideal destination for foreign businesses, and has integrated deeper into the world economy.

The ambassadors should explore the markets in their countries of residence and proposed measures to promote trade, investment and tourism between Vietnam and these countries, said Mr Dung.

He also asked them to protect the legitimate rights of Vietnamese nationals and introduce the image of Vietnam abroad.

Mexican State seeks stronger ties with Vietnam

The Mexican State of Veracruz wants to increase cooperation with Vietnam, especially in education and training, petro-chemistry and aquaculture, says governor Fidel Herrera.

Herrera stated this while receiving Vietnamese Ambassador to Mexico Pham Van Que, who made a fact-finding tour of the state from January 31 to February 2.

The governor praised Vietnam’s dynamic economy and said both sides have great potential for development.

Mr Que briefed his host on Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements during the Renewal process, its major exports and the development of cooperative relations between Vietnam and Mexico in the context of the global economic crunch.

By the end of November 2009, he said, two-way trade hit US$550 million – equivalent to last year’s figure. He attributed the success to both sides’ efforts in cushioning the impact of the crisis and raising their economic ties on a par with the diplomatic-political ties.

While staying in Veracruz, Mr Que attended an annual conference of the National Confederation of Industrial Chambers (CONCAMIN), visited Veracruz port complex and several cultural sites.

PM receives Lao education minister

Education is a priority sector in the cooperation programme this year between Vietnam and Laos, says Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

Mr Dung made the statement at a reception for Lao Minister of Education Somkot Mangnormek in Hanoi on February 5.

He welcomed the results of talks between the two ministries and said they should hold more meetings to seek practical measures to boost the effectiveness of cooperation projects.

Minister Mangnormek thanked the Vietnamese government for helping Laos develop education and expressed his belief that cooperation in education will help increase the friendly ties between the two countries.

Former leaders contribute to draft political report

Former State and Party leaders have contributed their opinions to the draft political report to be submitted to the 11th National Party Congress at a two-day conference in Hanoi.

Opinions were focused on the theme of the political report, assessments of the five-year implementation of the Resolution of the 10th National Party Congress, the 10-year implementation of the 2001-2010 socio-economic development strategy and the 20-year implementation of the Political Platform in 1991.

They were also related to the development tasks and targets for the coming years, factors to ensure a socialist-oriented economy, ownership and economic sectors, and cadres, Party members and people’s thoughts.

Concluding the conference on the 1991 Political Platform Review, Amendment and Development Sub-Committee on Feb. 4, Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh highlighted the former State and Party leaders’ responsibilities. He said the sub-committee will acquire these opinions to amend and finalize the draft political report that will be submitted to the Party Central Committee at its 12th conference.

AIPA gets new Philippine Secretary General

The Vietnamese National Assembly, as Chair of the 31st ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), hosted in Hanoi on February 5 an appointment ceremony for Antonio Cuenco of the Philippines as AIPA Secretary General in the 2010-2013 term.

This appointment was made in line with an AIPA-30 resolution passed in Thailand .

Vietnamese NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, who is currently AIPA Chairman, praised the Philippine Parliament’s nomination of a new Secretary General for AIPA in line with the organisation’s regulations to ensure that the Secretariat operates smoothly and also greatly supports Vietnam in performing the duties of its AIPA Chairmanship.

He expressed the hope that the new AIPA Secretary General would make more contributions to helping his organisation realize its goals.

Mr Cuenco said it is a great honour for him to become the AIPA Secretary General at a time when the organisation is boosting its cooperation with ASEAN, which is implementing a roadmap to build an ASEAN Community by 2015.

The new AIPA Secretary General pledged that he will work closely with the ASEAN Secretary General and said he believes that under the Vietnam NA’s leadership, AIPA will advance closer to its set goals and have a more important voice in the ASEAN Community.

Earlier, the new AIPA Secretary General was received by Vietnam NA and AIPA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong.

New Year meeting with int’l community held in Hanoi

Representatives from diplomatic corps, and international and foreign non-governmental organizations in Vietnam gathered in Hanoi on February 4 to welcome the Lunar New Year festival (Tet).

Addressing the friendship meeting, President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong spoke highly of the active and effective assistance by international friends to Vietnam over the last year.

He said that with its foreign policy of independence, self-determination, diversification and multilateralism, Vietnam has been a responsible member of the international community as the rotating President of the UN Security Council.

He said he hoped that Vietnam would receive continued support and cooperation from the international community in 2010 as the country hosts a large number of major, important events.

In 2009, foreign NGOs provided more than US$271.5 million to Vietnam and implemented over 2,000 projects in 63 provinces and cities. This foreign aid was mainly poured into the areas of health, education, socio-economic development, and natural resources management.

Cuban Ambassador to Vietnam Fredesman Turro Gonzalez praised the VUFO’s activities and programmes over the last year and expressed his belief that the union will continue serving as a bridge to strengthen the friendship and mutual understanding among nations.

Hanoi welcomes international friends

Hanoi is willing to be a friend and reliable partner of all capitals and cities in the world for the sake of peace, friendship, cooperation and development, says Mayor Nguyen The Thao.

Mr Thao delivered the message at a pre-Tet meeting for foreign ambassadors and representatives of diplomatic missions and international organisations on February 5.

He thanked the diplomats for their friendship and valuable cooperation with the capital city over the years and hoped they would continue to help build a more civilized and modern Hanoi.

On behalf of the foreign diplomats, Moroccan Ambassador El Houcine Fardani congratulated Vietnam on successfully implementing socio-economic development projects and achieving a high economic growth rate despite the global economic recession in 2009.

These achievements have helped Vietnam build up the international community’s trust, the ambassador said, stressing that the country has played an active role in the region and the world.

He said he believes that Vietnam will fulfil its duties as ASEAN Chair in 2010 and wished the Vietnamese people peace, prosperity, happiness and success.

PV