Weekly digest – November 2-8

Chinese President pledges to effectively control differences at sea

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Party General Secretary and President Xi Jinping have underlined the importance of consolidating the traditional friendship between the two Parties and countries in the new context.

During their talks on Thursday, the two leaders agreed that the traditional friendship between the two countries, built and nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh and Mao Zedong, is the valuable common asset that should be maintained, inherited and promoted.

The Vietnamese Party chief thanked China for pledging to grant RMB 1 billion for Viet Nam’s projects on construction of schools and hospitals over the next five years.

After their talks, Party leader Trong and President Xi witnessed the signing ceremony of a number of agreements on personnel training, free travel of ships at the mouth of the Bac Luan river, tourism cooperation and development at Bac Gioc waterfall.

Vietnamese and Chinese Party chiefs chat with young people

Vietnamese Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Chinese Party General Secretary and President XiJinping met with young people attending the 16th annual Viet Nam-China Youth Meeting on November 6.

Addressing the meeting, Mr. Xi Jinping stressed that at a historic moment when the two countries are celebrating the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties, we commemorate revolutionary ancestors; look back unforgettable years, and look forward to the fine relations between Viet Nam and China.

Mr. Trong hoped that the youth of the two countries should strengthen exchanges, work closely to nurture the solidarity and friendship between Viet Nam and China.

State President holds talks with Icelandic counterpart

State President Truong Tan Sang suggested Viet Nam and Iceland should enhance contacts and exchanges at all levels and welcomed the signing of a memorandum of understanding on geothermal energy during the talks with Icelandic President Ólafur Ragnar Grímsson in Ha Noi on Wednesday.

He conveyed his thanks to Iceland and the European Free Trade Association for recognizing Viet Nam’s market economy status.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders shared their concern over the recent happenings in the East Sea, emphasizing the necessity to settle disputes through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea.

During his stay in Viet Nam, the Icelandic President also met with PM Nguyen Tan Dung and NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

State President holds talks with Italian counterpart

State President Truong Tan Sang highly valued Italian President Sergio Mattarella’s visit to Viet Nam after the two countries set up strategic partnership in 2013.

The two Presidents were pleased as the two countries have maintained various cooperation mechanisms like strategic and defense policies dialogues and joint committee for economic cooperation.

State President Sang conveyed his thanks to Italy for backing Viet Nam’s bid to join the UN Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) for the 2016-2018 tenure and for its commitments to support Viet Nam’s run for a seat in the UN Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure.

He suggested that Italy should beef up the ratification of the Viet Nam- EU Partnership and Cooperation Agreement sealed in 2011 as there are only four countries that have not approved the agreement.

PM receives Lao Deputy PM

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on November 4 hosted a reception for Lao Deputy PM Thoonglun Sisulith during his working visit to Viet Nam.

He proposed the two sides closely coordinate in preparing for the meeting of the two nations’ Political Bureaus in the future. After the meeting, a joint meeting between the two Governments will also be organized to realize guidelines reached by the two Political Bureaus.

Viet Nam always advocates Laos to take office as the Chair of ASEAN in 2016, asserted PM Dung.

Resolution on Cabinet’s October meeting issued

A resolution on the Cabinet’s October meeting asked ministries, agencies and localities to continue improving business climate; ensure goods supply and demand balance during the year end; and enhance administrative reform along with measures to boost IT application, develop e-government to fulfill set socio-economic targets.

The Government also planned to submit a wage raising plan in the National Assembly’s next session and increase budget for two national target programs while deciding a nine-day holiday for the upcoming lunar New Year.

Germany sponsors sustainable conservation of Phong Nha-Ke Bang Park

The PM has ratified the Integrated nature conservation and sustainable management of natural resources in Phong Nha-KeBang National Park Region, phase III, sponsored by the German Government.

The project worth over €2 million will be carried out between 2015 and 2016 with an aim to work out approaches to integrate the nature conservation into policy making process.

VN, Malaysia ink aviation cooperation agreement

The Civil Aviation Authority of Viet Nam and the Malaysian Department of Civil Authority signed an aviation cooperation agreement on November 6 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

The 12-article deal aims to strengthen cooperation through information sharing, consultation in international activities, training coordination and building joint initiatives to ensure aviation safety and security.

VN officially issues International Driving Permit

The Directorate for Roads of Viet Nam (DRV) has officially granted International Driving Permits (IDPs) to Vietnamese and foreigners since November 3, 2015.

Locals and those foreigners who have permanent residence permits can apply for the IDPs, as long as they have a driver’s license issued in Viet Nam.

The International Driving Permit is a multi-page book with its basic information written in English and Vietnamese.

By Thuy Dung