GOVERNMENT NEWS 26/5 | Look At Vietnam

GOVERNMENT NEWS 26/5

May 26, 2012

Prime Minister Dung welcomes Liechtenstein prince to Viet Nam

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday received Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein who is here to prepare for a cultural programme that will see Nobel Laureates coming to Viet Nam in November.
The prince is visiting Viet Nam as chairman of the International Peace Foundation’s Advisory Board.
Dung thanked the prince for his support to Vietnamese people in their past struggle for liberation and briefed the guest on the national external affairs policy.
He welcomed the prince in his effort to bring Vietnamese images to the international community, particularly in his preparation for a series of the 4th “Bridges-Dialogues towards a Culture of Peace”.
The programme, organised by the International Peace Foundation in Viet Nam from November this year to April next year, will bring along Nobel Laureates to give speeches and lectures at conferences and meetings with Vietnamese scientists, lecturers and students.
The prince also said another aim of his visit was to promote the co-operative ties between Viet Nam and Liechtenstein.
He also said he would always support co-operation activities with Viet Nam, particularly on education and training.
E-government further promoted
As many as 60 percent of official documents and materials exchanged between state agencies will be in electronic format by 2015, according to an instruction issued by the Prime Minister on May 23.  
All ministries, relevant agencies under the government, and the people’s committees of provinces and cities nationwide have been asked to use email to exchange documents such as invitations, reports, announcements, and other official papers.
The PM also asked for the digitalization of archived documents and materials to help civil servants search for and deal with information via the net.
Information portals of the government and other units will be utilized to publish law documents and other official papers with the aim of reducing the use of hard copies.
Vietnam backs the building of nuclear weapon free Southeast Asia
Vietnam actively participates in mechanisms to build a nuclear weapon free South East Asia and Asia-Pacific region in a sustainable manner.
Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen. Nguyen Chi Vinh emphasized this while joining defence officials from 27 members of the ASEAN Regional Forum (ARF) in a ARF Security Policy Conference (ASPC) in Phnom Penh on May 25.
General Vinh affirmed Vietnam’s consistent viewpoint against global proliferation of nuclear weapons and stressed the importance of nuclear energy use for peaceful purposes, saying that priority should be given to safety.
Vietnam is studying a roadmap for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes in its industrialisation and modernisation, he added.
The senior defence official emphasized the importance of maintaining safety during project operations and said Vietnam is willing to cooperate with other countries to ensure nuclear safety.
The ASPC said that this is an important issue for the region and necessary to encourage nations to participate in international nuclear treaties and mechanisms, complete their domestic legal frameworks, build training and assistance centres relating to nuclear security as well as increase international cooperation on the issue.
Regarding the situation at sea and in the East Sea in particular, participants said the disputes need to be solved peacefully on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and regional treaties.
They supported ASEAN and China’s effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC) for peace, stability and security in the region.

Both sides should make effort to ensure maritime freedom, natural resource exploitation and economic development in accordance with international law, they said.
Delegations to the conference expressed concern over recent complications in the East Sea, and said they want concerned parties to refrain themselves and listen to the international community’s opinions, to peacefully solve disputes.
ILO to continue employment support
A 2012-2016 programme of co-operation between Vietnam and the International Labour Organisation (ILO) was signed in a ceremony held in Hanoi on May 25.
Minister of Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs Pham Thi Hai Chuyen said the programme aims to promote sustainable employment in Vietnam, which meant effective work in a safe and fair environment.
It will be developed based on Vietnam’s achievements in coordination with the ILO in previous years and the Government’s priorities in employment and social protection.
Chuyen urged relevant agencies to involve in ILO programme with a focus on supporting the development of labour codes and the National Programme for Employment for the 2011-12 period.
The programme will also concentrate on employment for youth and rural workers, activities to enhance harmonious working relationships at enterprises, and measures to implement the Government’s social protection strategies, she said.
She said the programme will be a key tool for the ILO and relevant tripartite partners to develop co-operation plans and mobilise resources in the most effective ways for promoting sustainable employment in Vietnam.
JICA official awarded friendship title
Outgoing Vice Chief Representative of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) Masaei Matsunaga was presented with the “For peace and friendship between nations” insignia from the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO).
The award was handed over by VUFO Vice President Don Tuan Phong at a ceremony in Hanoi on May 25.
Speaking at the ceremony, Phong spoke highly of Masaei Matsunaga’s contributions to enhancing friendship, mutual understanding, exchange and cooperation between Vietnam and Japan during his tenure from 2009-2012.
Masaei Matsunaga has accelerated Japan ’s involvement in international cooperative activities to support Vietnam through the JICA Partnership Programme, Phong said.
He also helped arrange for delegations from Japanese universities, local authorities and non-governmental organisations to visit projects in Vietnam , Phong said, noting that such activities help Japanese people understand more about the land and people of Vietnam .
Phong applauded the JICA official’s engagement in programmes to send Japanese volunteers to assist Vietnam in areas such as health care, rural development, teaching the Japanese language and supporting disabled children, as well as projects to help the country strengthen State administration.
Masaei Matsunaga promised to continue his contributions to enhancing friendship between the two countries.-
NA Chair bids farewell to India, Hungary ambassadors
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received the outgoing ambassadors of India and Hungary, Ranjit Rae and Vizi Laszio, in Ha Noi yesterday.
To the Indian diplomat, Hung expressed his delight at seeing growing ties between the two countries since setting up strategic relations in 2007.
Both agreed on the potential to increase relations in terms of politics, economy, trade and legislation.
Hung said Viet Nam would support Indian enterprises coming to do business in the country, while Rae said India would help Viet Nam in human resources development, particularly in information technology.
With the Hungarian diplomat, Hung appreciated his effort in elevating bilateral ties and promoting co-operation between the two law-making bodies.
Deputy Foreign Minister Son meets Chinese FM in Beijing
Chinese Minister of Foreign Affairs Yang Jiechi held a reception for Vietnamese Deputy Foreign Minister Nguyen Thanh Son in Beijing yesterday to discuss consular activities and experiences in dealing with denizens.
Son also participated in the Viet Nam-China forum on economics, trade, investment and tourism co-operation, co-hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in China and the China-ASEAN centre in Beijing between May 20 and 23.
Talking to Son, Yang appreciated the working results from the forum.
He hoped to expand the good terms between the two countries.-
Lao journalists’ association head in VN to extend ties
Vietnamese and Lao journalist associations looked to deepen ties while Lao Deputy Minister of Information, Culture and Tourism Savanhkhone Razamountry visited Viet Nam between May 24 and 30.
The Lao official, also deputy Chairman of the Lao Journalist’ Association, was received by his Vietnamese counterpart Ha Minh Hue on Thursday.
Yesterday, he was guest to Deputy Minister of Information and Communications and Deputy Director of Vietnam Television Nguyen Thanh Luong. Both sides wanted to extend ties in communications.-
PM applauds work of national lawyers association in protecting justice
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung yesterday called on the Vietnam Lawyers Association to continue its role in protecting justice and citizens’ rights during a meeting with the association.
Le Thuc Anh, chairman of the association, established only three years ago, said the association had become a forum for lawyers nationwide that had contributed a great deal to the country’s judicial reform process.
Between 2010 and 2011, the association’s lawyers defended more than 32,000 criminal cases, over 4,700 economic cases, and nearly 500 labour cases.
At the meeting, the association also asked the Government and other ministries to recognise October 10 as Vietnamese Lawyers Day.
Vice President meets Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito in Tokyo
Vice State President Nguyen Thi Doan yesterday paid a courtesy visit to Japanese Crown Prince Naruhito while attending the 18th conference on the Future of Asia in Tokyo from May 24-25.
Doan conveyed an invitation to the Emperor and Empress of Japan to visit the country during Viet Nam – Japan Friendship Year 2013, which coincides with the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties.
Crown Prince Naruhito expressed thanks to the Vietnamese people for their support to Japan following the triple disasters last March.
Viet Nam, China hold first talks over sea border off Tonkin Gulf
Experts from Viet Nam and China gathered to discuss the sea border off the Tonkin Gulf during a first negotiation round held in Ha Noi on Monday.
At the two-day talks, the first expert-level of its kind, the two sides affirmed their determination to strengthen negotiation on the demarcation of a water boundary off the gulf and co-operate for mutual development based on an agreement signed last October.
Both countries agreed to hold negotiations twice annually, the next meeting set for the end of this year.
Viet Nam promotes further South-South co-operation
Viet Nam attaches a great deal of importance to cooperation with South-South and considers it vital for developing countries, Ninh Thi Binh, Counsellor to Viet Nam’s Permanent Mission to the UN, stated at the 17th Session of the High-Level Committee on South-South Co-operation in New York on May 23.
Ambassador Le Hoai Trung, head of the Permanent Mission of Viet Nam to the UN, was elected to Vice Chair of the biennial session, which is taking place from May 22-25.
Binh urged that developed countries realise their commitments to official development assistance (ODA), as well as trade and market access with developing countries.
Liechtenstein Prince suggests more humanistic approaches in education
The education system should adopt more humanistic approaches to allow children to reach their full potential, said Prince Alfred of Liechtenstein during his meeting with Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan in Ha Noi yesterday.
The prince, visiting Ha Noi as chairman of the International Peace Foundation’s Advisory Board, stressed that educational systems must create an environment in which young students could express their own opinions and be listened to rather than simply follow instructions.
In response to the prince, Minister Luan agreed on the need to allow students to develop independent thinking and creativity.
ASEAN Secretary General urges Japanese to ‘regain confidence’

Surin Pitsuwan, secretary-general of the Association of South East Asian Nations, emphasised the importance of Japan in maintaining East Asia’s position as the centre of global growth at an international forum yesterday.
Speaking at the annual “Future of Asia” conference attended by Asian political and business leaders, including Vietnamese Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, Surin said, “Today, you will see a lot of changes in the region because it is a centre of gravity now. The challenge for us in East Asia is how to handle our differences and make sure that our relations do not affect our growth or the confidence in our region.
“It is in the interests of Japan, and it is expected of Japan, to be in the centre of the problems and challenges that affect East Asia,” he said.
Surin urged Japan to “regain confidence” saying, “From the natural disasters, from the changes in the region — that may make you believe that you are no longer the leader. But look at your contribution to the region: first-class technology and science, first-class management, education, discipline — all of these are the ingredients, are what is needed for the confident Japan that East Asia needs,” he said.
World Bank Managing Director Sri Mulyani Indrawati said at the conference, that ASEAN needs to prepare for both the benefits and problems that further globalisation will bring,
Sri Mulyani said that while ASEAN still has a long way to go to achieve full and sustainable prosperity, its current integration gives it an edge over many other areas of the world.
“Within ASEAN, we have a divide between the first five members and new countries that have entered the community,” she said. “But the region is connected. Brazil and Peru are more connected to China than they are each other. ASEAN enjoys a connectivity that can create an environment for opportunity.”
However, Sri Mulyani pointed out that the more vulnerable ASEAN countries still had a lot of work to do if they want to reap the benefits of globalisation.
“In order for ASEAN to benefit from being together, the countries need to do a lot of homework domestically,” the director said. “They need to have a good financial structure, a healthy agricultural structure, and to be able to deal with urbanisation.”
Sri Mulyani suggested that the region would need to cooperate more closely to overcome future challenges posed by such issues such as natural resource shortages, financial crises and environmental damage.
She also said there was a need to improve international institutions to meet these future challenges. “The global economy today shows us that interconnectivity is becoming more and more real. And it has upsides, but there are a lot of risks. We don’t have the global governance to deal with this,” she said.
Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda said he envisions making Japan’s reformed tax and social security system a model for other Asian countries.
“I certainly want to implement these reforms and create an Asian model for a sustainable, ageing society,” Noda said.



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