Press digest – March 27
VN-Cuba relations enter new stage
President of the Cuban Parliament Esteban Lazo Hermandez said that PM Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to Cuba marks a turning point in the relations between the two countries.
The two leaders noted that bilateral ties have been expanding and high-level agreements have contributed to consolidating political ties and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and legislative bodies.
PM Nguyen Tan Dung visited the Cuban Institute for Friendship with the Peoples and the Viet Nam-Cuba Friendship Association during his official visit to the Latin American country.
The PM laid wreaths at the Statue of Ho Chi Minh and the José Martí Memorial in the capital city Havana.
Fatherland Front President begins Singapore visit
President of the Viet Nam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Nguyen Thien Nhan began a four-day working visit to Singapore at the invitation of the People's Association (PA) of Singapore.
During his stay, Nhan is scheduled to meet Tharman Shanmugaratnam, Deputy PM and Finance Minister; Amy Khor, Minister of State for Manpower; Sam Tan, Senior Parliamentary Secretary for Foreign Affairs and for Culture, Community and Youth; and Ang Hak Seng, PA’s Chief Executive Director.
The VFF President will explore how Singapore attracts talented personnel into the public sector and manages manpower in general and migrant workers in particular.
DPM Minh receives newly-accredited Ambassadors
Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh received newly-appointed Ambassadors of Slovakia and Myanmar to Viet Nam.
At his reception for Slovakian Ambassador Igor Pacolák, the Deputy PM affirmed that Viet Nam always respects the multi-faced relations with nations in the Eastern Europe, including Slovakia.
Welcoming Myanmar’s Ambassador Uyn Lai, the Deputy PM highly valued achievements of Myanmar in the national development and diplomacy.
The two Ambassadors highlighted the prospects for two sides’ cooperation, adding that they will do their utmost to promote the relations effectively.
Defense Minister bids farewell to US Ambassador
Defense Minister General Phung Quang Thanh hosted a reception for US Ambassador David B. Shear who came to say goodbye at the end of his tenure in Viet Nam.
Mr. Thanh noted that both nations have set up a comprehensive partnership and bolstered bilateral defense ties through sharing experience in participating in the peacekeeping forces of the United Nations, working together in humanitarian aid, coping with natural calamities, and securing marine safety.
Ambassador B. Shear suggested both sides increase high-level delegation exchanges in the future and implement effectively the signed memorandum of understanding on bilateral defense ties as well as push ahead with efforts to surmount the war aftermaths in Viet Nam.
East Sea Research Foundation makes debut
The East Sea Research Foundation (ESRF), launched in Ha Noi, is co-founded by the Diplomatic Academy of Vietnam (DAV), former Deputy Foreign Minister Le Cong Phung and former Vietnamese Ambassador to Singapore and Canada Nguyen Duc Hung.
The foundation is expected to attract the participation of the whole society and create connection between donors and intellectuals in the protection of national sea and island sovereignty.
It also aims to foster measures to maintain peace, stability and cooperation in the East Sea.
VN-Indonesia trade predicted to reach US$10 bln
Viet Nam and Indonesia aim to earn a two-way trade of US$10 billion before 2018, creating favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to fully tap the Indonesian market.
The prediction was made by experts at a seminar in Ho Chi Minh City on Indonesia’s advantages and potential.
Indonesia is an important partner of Viet Nam and a potential market for Vietnamese businesses with bilateral turnover fetching US$5.1 billion in 2013.
Both nations agreed to set up a sub-commission on Food and Energy Security Cooperation (JCFESC) in 2014 under the framework of the Joint Commission for Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation (JCESTC).
VN, RoK share audit, inspection experience
The Government Inspectorate of Viet Nam held talks in Ha Noi with a delegation from the Republic of Korea (RoK)’s Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) to share their experience in directing and managing inspection work.
The talks are a valuable opportunity for the two bodies to foster their friendship and collaboration as well as realize the goals as stated in their memorandum of understanding.
BAI Secretary General Kim Young-ho said this is a good chance to bring the friendship and affiliation between the two agencies on a par with the Viet Nam-RoK strategic cooperative partnership.
Indonesia shares experience in reforming SOEs
Indonesia shared its experience in reforming state-owned enterprises (SOEs) with Viet Nam at a workshop held by the Viet Nam Academy ofSocial Sciences.
Indonesian experts suggested Viet Nam should establish a national fund for SOEs obtained from various sources but under a single management mode to help the businesses overcome the transition period.
Conference promotes trade between VN, South Africa
Sixteen South African attended a Viet Nam-South Africa trade and investment promotion conference in Ho Chi Minh City.
South Africa ranks first among the 10 African crucial export markets of Viet Nam with two-way trade turnover hitting nearly US$920 million in 2013, a year-on-year increase of 27%.
By Thuy Dung
