Co-operation with German state

Viet Nam is willing to
create more favourable conditions for companies from Germany and the State of
Baden-Wurttemberg to invest in the country and bring practical benefits to both
sides.

Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung made the commitment yesterday, Nov 19, while receiving
Baden-Wurttemberg’s Governor Stefan Mappus, who is leading a business delegation
on a visit to Viet Nam.

Dung said
Baden-Wurttemberg was one of the fastest growing states in Germany and it held
strengths in terms of industry, education, training, science and technology,
which were fields in which Viet Nam needed co-operative ties.

After thanking
Baden-Wurttemberg for its participation in the Viet Nam-Germany University
project, Dung urged the state to continue funding the construction of schools
and granting scholarships to Vietnamese students to study in the state.

Mappus said businesses
from Baden-Wurttemberg wanted to step up co-operation with Vietnamese partners,
thereby strengthening and developing friendly relations between the two
countries as well as between his state and Vietnamese provinces.

PM receives
Bulgarian guest

Prime Minister Nguyen
Tan Dung hosted a reception yesterday for the outgoing Bulgarian Ambassador to
Viet Nam, Georghi Vasilev, during which he spoke highly of the diplomat’s
contributions to the enhancement of traditional co-operation and friendship
between Viet Nam and Bulgaria.

Viet Nam desired to
join efforts with Bulgaria to further promote bilateral co-operation in all
fields such as the economy, trade, investment, education and culture, he said.

Vasilev said he highly
valued the fine development of bilateral relations, and noted that the two sides
were speeding up implementation of previously signed agreements.

VN-Brazil
strengthen mutual aid

Viet Nam and Brazil
have pledged to strengthen co-ordination and mutual support at meetings of
international organisations and multilateral forums such as the United Nations
and the World Trade Organisation.

The countries reached
the consensus during a political consultation between the their foreign
ministries co-chaired by Deputy Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh and his
Brazilian counterpart Maria Edileuza Fontenele Reis yesterday, Nov 19.

The two sides agreed
to promptly complete necessary procedures for the signing of a framework
agreement on technical co-operation between the two governments and create a
legal framework for the implementation of co-operation programmes and projects.

They also agreed to
speed up negotiations on co-operative agreements in several areas such as
agriculture, double-taxation avoidance, encouraging and protecting investments,
education and training as well as strengthen co-ordination between relevant
ministries and agencies in preparation for the second session of the Viet
Nam-Brazil Joint Committee scheduled to take place in Ha Noi next year.

Since Viet Nam and
Brazil set up their comprehensive partnership in May 2007, two-way trade has
continuously increased with an annual growth rate of 30-40 per cent and is
expected to reach US$800 million this year.

Hanoi, HCM City Party Secretaries attends
Vientiane’s anniversary

Lao Party General Secretary and President Chummaly
Sayasone on November 19 received a high-ranking delegation from Hanoi, led by
its Party Secretary Pham Quang Nghi, which is attending Vientiane’s 450^th
anniversary and the celebration of the country’s 35^th National Day.

Speaking at the reception, Mr. Nghi,
who is also a Politburo member of the Communist Party of Vietnam, highlighted
the significant achievements made by the Lao people, particularly those in
Vientiane under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

He said Hanoi will work harder to
raise the traditional Vietnam-Laos relationship to a new level.

President Sayasone highly
appreciated the visit, saying it reflects the great solidarity and comprehensive
cooperation between the two countries. He also expressed thanks to Vietnam’s
Party and people for their support over the past years.

During the visit, Mr. Nghi also
worked with Sombath Zialiheu, Mayor of Vientiane, attended a procession to mark
Vientiane’s 450^th anniversary and the country’s 35th National Day,
and visited the Vietnamese embassy and cultural places in Laos.

* On the same day, Mr. Sayasone
received a Secretary of Ho Chi Minh Municipal Party Committee, Le Thanh Hai, who
is attending the anniversary.

VNN/VOV/VNS