Vietnamese,
Cambodian NA strengthen ties

A delegation from the Vietnamese National Assembly
(NA) Office, led by its head Tran Dinh Dan, concluded a four-day visit to
Cambodia on April 5.

Photo: VOV

The visit was aimed at carrying out
a NA-funded VND23 billion project to help Cambodia National Assembly to build
information technology infrastructure which was approved in 2010. It was also
expected to open up opportunities for cooperation between the Vietnamese NA
Office and the Cambodian NA Secretariat.

On April 4, the delegation met with
Cambodian NA Chairman Heng Samrin who said he was delighted at the development
of Cambodia-Vietnam relationships, especially in economics, trade, investment,
and tourism.

Mr. Heng Samrin also expressed
thanks to the Vietnamese Party, State, and People for helping Cambodia escape
from the genocide and develop the country.

He called on the Cambodian and
Vietnamese National Assemblies to strengthen ties for their people’s interest of
their people.

Mr. Dan pledged to promote
cooperation with the Cambodian NA Secretariat and assist the Cambodian NA with
personnel training.

He also expressed his hope that the
Cambodian NA will successfully organize the 32nd ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary
Assembly (AIPA 32) in September.

US
defence official visits Viet Nam

Deputy
Defence Minister, Lieutenant General Nguyen Chi Vinh yesterday, April 5,
received the US Acting Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary for POW/MIA (Prisoners
of War/ Missing in Action), Robert Newberry, who is on a working visit to Viet
Nam.

Vinh
welcomed Newberry’s visit and affirmed that Vietnamese agencies and localities
had actively implemented MIA activities with good results. These actions
manifested Viet Nam’s humanitarian and co-operative goodwill on MIA issues and
other issues of mutual concern.

He said
he hoped that the two countries’ MIA agencies would boost MIA activities,
thereby contributing to strengthening multilateral co-operation between Viet Nam
and the US.

The
guest spoke highly of the Vietnamese Government’s support on MIA issues over
past years and expressed his hope that the Vietnamese Defence Ministry and
relevant agencies would continue to facilitate the US in MIA activities to meet
the demand of the American MIA families and bolster co-operation.

At the
meeting, Newberry presented the Defence Ministry with items of former Vietnamese
soldiers, which had been taken by US servicemen during the war.

Lao PM receives delegation from Vietnamese province

Laos will create favourable conditions for
businesses from Vietnam’s province of Nghe An to invest in Laos in all fields.

This commitment was made by Lao
Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong in Vientiane on April 5 during his reception
for a senior delegation from Nghe An province, headed by Phan Dinh Trac,
Secretary of the provincial party branch.

Mr Thammavong highlighted the
significance of Vietnamese investment in upgrading the road through the Thanh
Thuy-Namon border gate between the two countries, which can help reduce the
distance between Nghe An and Vientiane for trade.

During the meeting, the Lao leader
also said he welcomed and highly appreciated the visit, which contributes to
strengthening friendship and promoting trade between Laos and Vietnamese border
provinces.

Nghe An province is twinned with
Houphan, Xiangkhouang, and Bolikhamxay provinces in Laos.

For the past few years, Nghe An has
proposed effective investment cooperation with Laos in many fields, particularly
traffic, infrastructure and human resources training.

Vietnam confers Gold Star Order on Lao security
forces

The Lao security forces held a ceremony on April 5
to mark their 50th anniversary (April 5, 1961 – April 5, 2011).

At the ceremony, Lao Minister of
Security, Dr Thong Banh Sengaphone reviewed the construction and development of
the Lao security forces, which have contributed greatly to maintaining security
and order, and fighting against hostile forces and different kinds of criminals
and protect the Party, authorities and people.

Addressing the meeting, Chummaly
Sayasone, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and
Laos State President emphasized comprehensive cooperation with Vietnam and
fostering special hnourable relations between the two security forces.

He added that focus should be given
to strengthening cooperation with Vietnam’s public security and people,
highlighting the enthusiastic support from other nations in the world to work
towards further progress.

On behalf of the Vietnamese Party
and State, General Le Hong Anh, Politburo member, Minister of Public Security
conferred a Gold Star Order on Lao’s security forces in recognition of its
contribution to the development of the special friendship and comprehensive
cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

On the occasion, Lao security forces
were also awarded the National Gold Order - the highest Order of the Lao Party
and State.

VNN/VOV/VNS