Thua Thien-Hue city completes border demarcation with Laos; France fosters friendship with Vietnam; Condolences over traffic accident in Ukraine. Thua Thien-Hue completes border demarcation with Laos

Thua Thien-Hue Province has finished its 2010 task of refurbishing and increasing the number of border markers between Vietnam and Laos and has prepared for the planting of border markers in 2011.

The province’s border marker planting team overcame numerous difficulties in 2010 to join its counterpart from the Lao province of Sekong in locating 25 out of 25 possible positions for marker planting by September 15. The target was achieved 3.5 months ahead of schedule.At the same time, the two sides completed their plan to revamp and increase the number of border markers on the borderline of the Lao province of Salavan. 12 out of 12 border markers were transferred to the border guards of Thua Thien-Hue and Salavan provinces.

On its border with Sekong province, Thua Thien-Hue Province had constructed 18 new border markers by September 30.

From now until the end of 2010, Thua Thien-Hue will help the Lao team to plant an additional three markers, and clear three roads for planting markers 654 and 655.

France fosters friendship with Vietnam

France always attaches importance to its friendship with Vietnam, said Christian Poncelet, Chairman of the France-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians’ Group.

During his meeting with the Chairwoman of the HCM City People’s Council, Pham Phuong Thao in HCM City on October 13, Poncelet described the Vietnam-France relationship as a bright example of bilateral ties between the two countries based on mutual understanding and respect, looking into the future and having similar concerns over global issues.

Poncelet, former speaker of the French Senate, spoke highly of Vietnam’s role as ASEAN Chair.

Vietnam will be a gateway for France and Europe to penetrate Asia and vice versa Vietnam will approach Europe through France as the European country is going to hold the G20 Chair, he said.

Chairwoman Thao stressed status of the friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and France, saying that as Vietnam’s large donor France has assisted HCM City in education and training, healthcare and culture.

Also at the meeting, Poncelet shared his concern over cultural and architectural heritages in the city, saying the heritages were important for French people.

Chairwoman Thao expressed hopes that France would continue to help HCM City preserve and restore significant architectural buildings.

Condolences over traffic accident in Ukraine

State President Nguyen Minh Triet on October 13 extended his condolences over a recent traffic accident in Dnipropetrovsk region to Ukrainian President V. Yanukovych.

A bus collided with a train on the morning of October 12 in Dnipropetrovsk region, eastern Ukraine, causing 43 deaths and 10 injuries, according to RIA Novosti.

VNN/VOV/VNA