Weekly press digest – April 7-11
Party chief meets Chinese Premier, NPC Chairman
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong met with Chinese Premier Li Keqiang and Chairman of the Standing Committee of the National People’s Congress (NPC) Zhang Dejiang, stressing his country treasures its friendship and cooperation with China.
Meeting with Premier Li Keqiang, the two agreed that Viet Nam and China will carry out agreements on their shared land border and the agreement on basic principles guiding the settlement of sea-related issues. They will effectively utilize the Government-level negotiation mechanism on Viet Nam-China border and territorial issues while working together to manage disputes, settle arising matters satisfactorily, maintain peace and stability at sea, speed up result-oriented negotiations to work out appropriate measures addressing sea-related issues and boost cooperation in the waters off the mouth of the Tonkin Gulf.
Meeting with Chairman of the NPC Standing Committee Zhang Dejiang, the Vietnamese Party leader said as the two countries step up the building of socialist States ruled by law, it is critical for their parliaments and parliamentary bodies to tighten practical and effective exchange and cooperation.
The two leaders concurred that both sides need to exert all efforts to strengthen political trust between the two Parties and States through high-ranking visits and candid discussions of opinion.
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong visited Yunnan province as part of his official China visit.
VN, China issue joint communiqué
Viet Nam and China have issued a joint communiqué on the occasion of Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong’s visit to China from April 7-10 at the invitation of the Communist Party of China (CPC) General Secretary and State President Xi Jinping.
VN, Russia head to trade turnover of US$10 bln by 2020
PM Nguyen Tan Dung and his Russian counterpart Dmitry Medvedev agreed to promote the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in terms of economics, investment, oil and gas, nuclear electricity and military technology and head to a two-way trade value of $10 billion by 2020.
At their talks on April 6, PM Dung highlighted the meaning of the visit when Viet Nam and Russia are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, hoping that the visit will create forces to further foster the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
The two leaders kept each other informed of their respective political, economic, social and diplomatic performances, and exchanged views on bilateral issues and matters of international and regional concerns.
After the talks, the two PMs witnessed the signing of some crucial documents in fields of energy, investment, banking, healthcare and transport.
PM pushes for signing of VN – EU free trade deal
PM Nguyen Tan Dung has pushed for the signing of the Viet Nam – European Union free trade agreement (FTA) in mid-2015, describing it as a key milestone to lift bilateral ties.
The leader made the request while meeting Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange in Ha Noi.
Lange said the European Parliament will take note of Viet Nam’s proposals and believed that the FTAwould be signed in the near future since the comprehensive deal offers wide-ranging benefits to both sides.
European Parliament assesses VN’s readiness for FTA
The European Parliament has assessed Viet Nam’s level of readiness to sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with the European Union (EU), Chairman of the European Parliament’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange told a press conference.
As a continuous process that requires efforts of both sides, the FTA talks between Viet Nam and theEuropean Union is now in the final stage and will last through this June, he said, noting that the 12th negotiation round, the latest one, concluded this March.
Party Economic Commission Head meets WB official
Head of the Party Central Committee’s Economic Commission Vuong Dinh Hue asked the World Bank to support the Commission in policymaking, especially national industry policy.
Hue made the request at his meeting with WB Country Director in Viet Nam Victoria Kwakwa in HaNoi, where the two discussed their cooperation plans for the future.
Kwakwa stated the WB will give priority to supporting the Commission in making national industry policy and that it is willing to share its experience in the fields of request.
US Navy Secretary welcomed in HN
Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People’s Army and Deputy Defense Minister Senior Lieutenant General Do Ba Ty met with the US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus.
Defense ties between the two countries have been growing in recent years with enhanced naval cooperation, he noted, adding that the two navies have fostered collaboration on training, search and rescue, military medicine and ensuring maritime security and safety.
Mekong Delta's export earnings near US$2.5 bln in Q1
The Mekong Delta gained $2.46 billion for export earnings in the first quarter of 2015, down 1.6% against the same period last year, according to the Southwest Steering Committee.
The region’s import increased by 6% compared to the same period last year, reaching $3.71 billion.
Provinces saw high growth in exports such as TraVinh up 56.1%, Tien Giang up 22% and An Giangup 12%, attaining US$94.1 million, US$363 million and US$213.5 million, respectively.
By Ngoc Van
