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Press digest – May 21

May 22, 2014 7:49 AM GMT+7

VN, Philippines work towards strategic partnership

Both Vietnamese PM Nguyen Tan Dung and Philippine President Aquino have agreed to set up a joint committee led by the two foreign ministries to figure out a roadmap towards the establishment of strategic partnership between the two countries.

The agreement was made during their talks in Manila on May 21 as part of PM Dung’s tour to the Philippines from May 21-23.

Regarding the East Sea issue, the two leaders shared their deep concern over the current especially dangerous situation in the East Sea after China have conducted many acts that violate international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, and seriously infringe waters of the coastal countries. Particularly, China illegally installed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 and deployed many vessels in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf, seriously threatening peace, stability, maritime security, safety and freedom in the East Sea.

The two countries vehemently denounce and call on the international community to demand China stop its acts of infringement, strictly comply with international law, the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea, the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea, and work towards the conclusion of a Code of Conduct in the East Sea.

Gov’t adopts measures to assist foreign-funded enterprises

PM Nguyen Tan Dung on May 20 presided over a meeting to discuss measures to help foreign-invested enterprises which sustained damage caused by extremist protesters in some localities. 

Over the past time, people across the country has vehemently denounced China’s illegal placement of an oil rig in Viet Nam’s waters. Some protesters violated legal regulations by damaging property of the State, individuals and enterprises, including foreign-invested ones, resisting on-duty officials, and affecting social security, order, safety and business production.

The Government has taken comprehensive measures to timely prevent and strictly punish the lawbreakers. As a result, the situation has been put under control. Most of the affected enterprises have resumed operation.

The Government has also continued necessary measures in line with Viet Nam’s law and its international commitments to ensure absolute safety for foreign agencies, businesses and nationals in Viet Nam.

VN, US discuss bilateral ties, East Sea issue

Deputy PM, FM Pham Binh Minh and US Secretary of State John Kerry on Wednesday discussed the relations between Viet Nam and the US and the recent developments in the East Sea, on the phone.

Deputy PM, FM acknowledged the recent positive changes in the bilateral ties, particularly in the fields of economy, trade and investment and informed Viet Nam’s decision to join the Proliferation Security Initiative (PSI).

He affirmed that Viet Nam stands ready to coordinate with the US to deploy concrete measures to continue strengthening the comprehensive partnership between the two countries.

During the phone call, Deputy PM, FM Minh updated the recent developments in the East Sea after China illegally placed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou 981 in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf. Tension in the East Sea has escalated as China has kept on increasing its vessels, including missile boats, fast attack crafts and amphibious landing ships.

ASEAN Defence Ministers issue joint statement

ASEAN Defense Ministers on May 20 in Nay Pyi Taw passed a three-year working program (2014-2016) and a joint statement on “Defense cooperation towards community and prosperity”.

The Vietnamese high-ranking military delegation was led by Defence Minister General Phung Quang Thanh.

The joint statement voiced support to the outcomes of the 24 th ASEAN Summit and the Nay Pyi Taw Declaration on ASEAN Community building in 2015, which call on cooperation in ensuring the full and effective implementation of the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC), compliance of commonly recognized principles of international laws and the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).

Deputy PM: VN ensures safety for foreign businesses

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai has affirmed that the Vietnamese Government will make every measure to ensure security and safety of life and assets for domestic and foreign businesses operating in the Formosa project in Ha Tinh province.

Hai made the statement during his May 19 working session with leaders of the central province and representatives from the Hung Nghiep Formosa Co., Ltd on a recent disturbance that occurred at the Formosa project in the Vung Ang Economic Zone.

While inspecting the situation at the project, he said the disturbance, created by extremists, caused losses for not only investors but also workers at the project, affirming that the Government, the locality and competent agencies have strictly punished them under the law.

He also pledged to create the best conditions for investors and contractors to complete the project on schedule.

 Hai asked the province to continue communication campaigns to raise public awareness of the situation while coordinating with investors and contractors to bring production activities back to normal. 

SBV vows to ensure safety for foreign banks’ operations

The Governor of the State Bank of Vietnam (SBV), Nguyen Van Binh, on May 21 committed to ensuring security and safety for foreign banks and protecting the legitimate interests of foreign investors in Viet Nam.

At a Ha Noi conference on the operations of foreign banks in Viet Nam, Binh stated that despite complicated developments in the East Sea following China’s illegal placement of a drilling rig in Viet Nam’s exclusive economic zone, the country’s currency and gold markets remain stable.

The governor asked foreign banks to continue their normal operations to well serve both domestic and international customers, and inform the SBV of difficulties they face so that it can take appropriate measures to help solve these shortcomings.

They were also urged to fulfil their role as a bridge encouraging foreign investors to do business in Vietnam, as well as join hands with the Vietnamese Government and the SBV in maintaining a stable currency and gold market and solving difficulties in business for enterprises.

Activities mark 20 years of Ha Long’s UNESCO recognition

A ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of Ha Long Bay’s recognition as a UNESCO World Heritage site will be held on October 14 by the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

The event will include various activities such as an international workshop, lectures and photo competitions on Ha Long’s heritage, along with exchange programmes between other world heritage sites in Vietnam, the organisers told the media in Ha Long city on May 20.

A yearbook on the 20th anniversary and a documentary film titled Ha Long Bay – 20 years of World Natural Heritage will be introduced to the public on this occasion, the organisers added.

Preventive measures needed to stop spread of Coronavirus

The Ministry of Health has recommended preventive measures against the Middle East respiratory syndrome Coronavirus (MERS-CoV) that is spreading in many countries around the world.

The ministry’s Preventive Medicine Centre advised people to minimise direct contact with acute respiratory syndrome patients, while maintaining personal hygiene and living in an airy environment. 

Those who come to or return from countries with MERS-CoV should apply intensive measures to prevent the dangerous infectious disease, it recommended./. 

(Source: VNA/VGP/Nhandan/VOV)