Delegation attends parliament meeting

A
delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly took part in the 124th Assembly
of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU 124) in Panama from April 15-20.

The IPU
124, themed “Parliamentary accountability: living up to people’s expectations”,
focused on improving the role of the parliament, issues of peace and security,
finance and trade with sustainable development, and democracy and human rights.

The
Vietnamese delegation participated in numerous activities during the event,
including the plenary meeting of the IPU 124 and the 260th meeting of the IPU
Executive Committee. The delegation hosted an ASEAN+3 meeting and participated
in the meetings of the Asia-Pacific Group (APG) and the Development Partner
Group on Gender Equality.

Speaking
at the IPU 124 plenary session, the Vietnamese delegation head, Nguyen Van Son,
Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Relations, briefed the assembly on
Viet Nam’s renewal process and stressed high unanimity with the theme of the IPU
124.

Besides
the role of each national parliament, the regional and international
inter-parliamentary mechanism has made important contributions to enhancing
parliamentary accountability in order to meet people’s expectations, especially
in the face of the current global political and socio-economic situation, he
said.

After
affirming the role and responsibility of the Vietnamese NA in meeting the
demands of the people in Viet Nam and ASEAN through the successful organisation
of the 31st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly
(AIPA-31), Son suggested the IPU continue strengthening co-ordination with
regional parliamentary mechanisms and combine activities to maximise the role of
parliaments in addressing global political and socio-economic challenges.

The IPU
124, which drew the participation of 150 member parliamentary delegations,
issued a political declaration calling for global emergency support for Japan
following the country’s devastating earthquake and tsunami.

It also
discussed parliamentary action to strengthen the national right to
self-determination within the framework defined by international law and issued
a resolution on enhancing democratic reforms in emerging democracies, including
North Africa and the Middle East.

During
the stay in Panama, the Vietnamese delegation met with parliamentarians from
hosts Panama, Cuba, Cambodia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, France, Belgium,
South Africa, Chile, Venezuela and Switzerland.

Vietnam, US step into multifaceted future

NA Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son receives US Senator James Webb (Source: VNA).

National Assembly Vice Chairman Huynh Ngoc Son
received visiting US Senator James Webb, Chair of the Subcommittee on East Asian
and Pacific Affairs under the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations on April 21.

At the reception, NA Vice Chairman
Son praised James Webb’s support for Vietnam as well as the Vietnam-US relations
and expressed his hope that with his role and prestige, the Senator will make
more contributions to strengthening the two countries’ relationship.
He said he wished that the two legislative bodies would increase the exchange of
visits, thus boosting friendship and cooperation.
The Vietnamese legislator took the occasion to propose the US Senator raise his
voice to push for dealing with consequences of Agent Orange (AO)/dioxin and
clearing mines left by the war, lifting irrational trade barriers, especially
issues regarding tra fish, and recognizing Vietnam as a market economy.
Senator James Webb said he returned to Vietnam with the message of working and
discussing together for the future, sharing Son’s view that the US-VN relations
are developing.
The Senator, who was one of the initiators of the draft on aiding environmental
pollution treatment at Danang airport, stressed the need to carry out treatment
of environmental pollution posed by AO/dioxin as well as scientific research
about its impact on human health.

Army chief meets Lao Major General

The
Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army (VPA), Lieut. Gen. Do
Ba Ty received the Head of the Combat Department under the Lao Army’s General
Staff, Maj. Gen. Chandisi Sombat, who is on a working visit.

Ty told
his Lao guest at a meeting yesterday that the visit would contribute to
strengthening friendship and mutual understanding between the armies and people
of the two countries.

For his
part, Chandisi Sombat hailed Viet Nam’s great achievements in national
construction and development. He also informed the host of the results of his
working session with the Combat Department of the VPA’s General Staff.

Hai Duong cooperate with Lao capital in fighting
crime

Police in the northern province of Hai Duong and its
counterpart from Vientiane province of Laos on April 21 signed a memorandum of
understanding (MoU) on combating crime.

The
MoU was reached during a visit to Hai Duong by a delegation from Vientiane
Police Department led by its deputy head Buathong Phongsavat on the occasion of
the 65th founding anniversary of Hai Duong Police (April 24).
During their working session, the policemen exchanged experience in ensuring
political security, social order, and a sense of vigilance over attempts of
reactionary and hostile forces, and measures in combating crime, especially drug
crimes, contributing to the two countries’ socio-economic development.
The visit reflected solidarity between the two twin provinces of Hai Duong and
Vientiane as well as between the two countries.

State president highlights services of internees

President Nguyen Minh Triet on April 21 received a
delegation of former political prisoners, who were imprisoned by foreign
invaders during the resistance wars.

The delegation comprised former
internees from Binh Chanh district, Ho Chi Minh City.

At the meeting, Mr Triet stressed
that the Vietnamese Party and State always treasure the contributions and
sacrifices made by political prisoners as well as prisoners of war in general
and those in Binh Chanh in particular during the cause of national liberation
and construction.

The president praised the former
internees for always maintaining their combative spirit in the prisons despite
barbarous torture.

On behalf of the Party, State and
people, President Triet thanked the former prisoners for having rendered service
to the fatherland, saying they are brilliant examples for younger generations.

VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA