Hanoi (VNA) – At the conference on defining the defence ministry’s external tasks to 2010, the ministry said it will join in multilateral, regional and international affairs in line with the UN Charter and international laws while preparing to take on obligations to the UN and its humanitarian work and disaster rescue missions.

Additionally, the ministry will take part in making and deploying the UN Security Council’s resolutions to maintain peace, stability and security in the globe in order to heighten Vietnam ’s prestige in the international arena.

The ministry stated that its external activities will consistently follow the nation’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, openness, multilateralisation and diversification, and international economic integration.

It vowed to continue implementing the Party and State’s external policies, pledging to make practical contributions to building the ASEAN Security Council (ASC), and join in creating and development an environment of peace and friendship in the region and the world.

By doing so, the ministry said it hoped to contribute to solidifying the international community’s trust on Vietnam and its army, and pushing up the country’s international integration while still upholding its duties to defend the nation.

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Singapore (VNA) – Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem praised dialogue partners’ assistance to programmes promoting regional cooperation, narrowing the gap among ASEAN member countries and building the ASEAN community.

Speaking at the ASEAN Post Ministerial Conference (PMC) +10 Sessions with China, Japan, the Republic of Korea, India, Russia, the US, the EU, Canada, Australia and New Zealand on July 23, the Deputy PM said the two sides should accelerate implementation of cooperation agreements and complete ongoing negotiations as soon as possible in order to build free-trade areas to boost the two sides’ economic and commercial ties.

He said they should also create opportunities for ASEAN member countries to integrate through international trade, promote cooperation for mutual benefit, and deal with global issues and challenges, with the aim to contribute more to maintaining peace, security and development in Southeast Asia , the Asia-Pacific region and the world.

The Deputy PM said he hoped dialogue partners would continue to support and assist ASEAN to obtain its targets of building the ASEAN community and upholding its important role in regional processes.

In the afternoon of July 23, the Vietnamese delegation co-chaired the ASEAN PMC+1 session with Canada.

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President George W. Bush welcomed Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung to the United States of America and to the White House yesterday for the fourth bilateral meeting between leaders of our two countries in as many years. The President and the Prime Minister discussed the progress made since they last met in Vietnam in 2006 and committed to specific efforts to carry this increasingly robust bilateral relationship forward. The two leaders agreed the relationship is based on a positive, growing friendship, mutual respect, and a shared commitment to pursuing constructive and multifaceted cooperation on a wide range of issues that will contribute to the development of the depth of the relationship, which is in the long-term interests of both countries. They also shared their vision and goals for a stable, secure, democratic, and peaceful Asia-Pacific region and discussed future U.S.-Vietnam contributions to that end.

The leaders welcomed the deepening economic ties, noting that two-way bilateral trade topped $12 billion in 2007 and that the United States is Vietnam's top export market. Prime Minister Dung affirmed Vietnam's resolve to maintain macroeconomic stability and determination to implement its commitments under the World Trade Organization, the Bilateral Trade Agreement, and the Trade and Investment Framework Agreement; improve its legal system; and create conditions favorable for foreign investors and trade growth.

The two leaders agreed that trade and economic ties are significant to the bilateral relationship. They announced that the United States and Vietnam would initiate negotiations toward a Bilateral Investment Treaty, signaling our commitment to open investment regimes and fair, non-discriminatory, and transparent treatment of foreign investment. President Bush affirmed that the United States is seriously reviewing Vietnam's request to be designated as a beneficiary of the Generalized System of Preferences program, and he acknowledged Vietnam's request to be accorded Market Economy Status. They noted the importance of efforts within the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum to promote free and open trade and investment, including the prospect of a Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific. President Bush reiterated the United States' general opposition to restrictions on food exports at a time of rising prices. The two leaders called on all countries to join in the effort to solve the world food problem. President Bush reaffirmed the United States' commitment to pursuing actions to maintain or expand existing assistance levels and to address the underlying conditions contributing to high food prices.

The two leaders discussed expanding and strengthening our senior-level dialogues. They endorsed the creation of new political-military and policy planning talks, which will allow for more frequent and in-depth discussions on security and strategic issues. The two leaders noted the benefit of an open and candid dialogue on issues relating to human rights and fundamental freedoms. President Bush and Prime Minister Dung agreed on the importance of the rule of law in modern societies, and President Bush underscored the importance of promoting improved human rights practices and conditions for religious believers and ethnic minorities. Prime Minister Dung informed President Bush of the policies and efforts made by Vietnam in this area, and President Bush took note of Vietnam's efforts to date and encouraged further progress. On the occasion of the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, the two leaders reaffirmed their commitment to promoting and securing fundamental human rights and liberties.

The two leaders were pleased with the successes of Vietnamese Americans and noted their contribution to the promotion of the relationship between the two countries. President Bush welcomed these contributions and reiterated the U.S. government's support for Vietnam's national sovereignty, security, and territorial integrity.

President Bush expressed appreciation for Vietnam's cooperation in our joint humanitarian effort to achieve the fullest possible accounting for Americans who remain missing in action and Vietnam's willingness to carry out additional measures, noting that the Joint Field Activities have allowed for the identification and repatriation of the remains of 629 U.S. soldiers and reaffirmed the U.S. government's continued assistance in obtaining information for Vietnam's own accounting efforts. Prime Minister Dung highlighted the United States' assistance in this area as well. Prime Minister Dung applauded bilateral progress in addressing environmental contamination near former dioxin storage sites in Vietnam, particularly the ongoing implementation of $3 million in U.S. funding for environmental remediation and health projects.

President Bush congratulated Prime Minister Dung on his country's two-year membership on the United Nations Security Council. The two leaders reaffirmed that the two countries will continue consultations on the pressing issues that will face the Security Council. The Prime Minister informed the President that Vietnam is completing the preparatory process for its effective participation in UN peacekeeping operations. Prime Minister Dung thanked President Bush for the invitation for Vietnam to participate in the Global Peace Operations Initiative (GPOI), through which Vietnam will participate in training courses and other activities on peacekeeping operations. President Bush noted the ongoing visit of the humanitarian ship the USNS Mercy to Vietnam.

The two leaders expressed their wish to enhancing further U.S. relations with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and President Bush expressed his appreciation for Vietnam's active role in ASEAN. The two leaders discussed the areas of cooperation with ASEAN, including humanitarian assistance and Cyclone Nargis. President Bush reiterated that the United States is willing to work with ASEAN, the United Nations, and other non-governmental organizations to bring additional, much-needed humanitarian assistance to those affected by the devastating cyclone, and they discussed the need for entry and prompt access to all international aid workers to the disaster area.

The two leaders underscored the importance of cooperation on education and agreed to launch a high-level bilateral Education Task Force that will chart a roadmap and identify effective modalities for enhanced U.S.-Vietnam education cooperation. The two leaders also welcomed the continued success of the Fulbright Program in Vietnam and the growing number of Vietnamese students who choose to study in the United States. President Bush underscored the importance of a future Peace Corps program in Vietnam. Prime Minister Dung agreed in principle to the President's proposal on such a program and that the two sides will continue discussion to finalize related arrangements.

Prime Minister Dung thanked President Bush for assistance under the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), noting that many people in Vietnam, including vulnerable children, are now receiving care, support, anti-retroviral treatment.

The President expressed his commitment to continue the development of intercountry adoption cooperation between the United States and Vietnam that ensures the best interests of the child, respects his or her fundamental rights, and prevents the abduction and trafficking of children. The Prime Minister underscored that Vietnam shares these goals and stressed that Vietnam will speed up preparations for an early accession to the Hague Convention on Intercountry Adoptions. The Prime Minister also welcomed U.S. technical assistance in facilitating this step.

Prime Minister Dung thanked President Bush for the United States' assistance on Vietnam's Atomic Energy Law as well as for technical information and training on nuclear safety.

Finally, the two leaders discussed cooperation on climate issues. Prime Minister Dung and President Bush welcomed the commencement of the Delta Research and Global Observation Network (DRAGON) project in Vietnam, which will establish an institute at Can Tho University to cooperate on training and research to produce healthy ecosystems and sustainable deltas. The two leaders also agreed to work together to promote Vietnamese climate change adaptation and mitigation efforts, including the formation of a new subcommittee under the bilateral Science and Technology Agreement to discuss and coordinate joint initiatives.

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Beijing (VNA) – Vietnam and China on June 1 released a joint statement on the official friendship visit to China by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee Nong Duc Manh from May 30-June 2.

The joint statement wrote: “The two sides reached a broad common awareness of relations between the two Parties and States, as well as international and regional issues of mutual concern. The two sides agreed that the visit was of success and will surely have a profound and positive influence on deepening Vietnam-China comprehensive ties in the new stage, as well as upon peace and development in the region and the world at large.

“The two sides emphasised the path of socialist development in line with characteristics of each nation is a correct choice, meeting the fundamental interest of the two countries’ people. The Vietnamese side appreciated the great achievements China has recorded over the past 30 years of implementing the reform and open-door policy; and firmly believes that the Chinese people will surely obtain new, greater achievements in socialist construction imbued with Chinese characteristics and achieve the goal of building a comprehensive well-to-do society. The Chinese side applauded the great achievements of historical significance that Viet Nam has gained during the renewal process, strongly believes that the Vietnamese people will gain new, greater achievements in socialist construction and successfully fulfill the goal of a rich people, a strong country and a fair, democratic and civilised society.

“The Vietnamese side expressed deep sympathy and sincere regard to China for great losses in humans and poverty caused by the serious earthquake in Sichuan province and believes the fraternal Chinese people will quickly overcome the aftermath of the natural disaster and stabilise their lives. Vietnam applauded China ’s careful preparations for the 2008 Beijing Olympic and will continue to give strong support to China ’s bids to successfully organise the sports event. The Chinese side expressed sincere thanks for Vietnam ’s sentiments and support.

“The two sides expressed satisfaction at the great achievements in developing the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties and States over the past years. They affirmed that the Vietnam-China friendship is a valuable asset of the Parties, the States and the people of the two countries that needs to be preserved and upheld. The two sides agreed to develop the Vietnam-China strategic and comprehensive cooperative partnership under the motto of "friendly neighbourliness, comprehensive cooperation, long-term stability, and looking towards the future” and in the spirit of "good neighbours, good friends, good comrades, good partners". The two sides are unanimous in firmly grasping the right development direction of bilateral ties to ensure long-term, stable and healthy development of the two countries’ relationship.

“The two sides agreed to continue with mutual support and assistance in areas, increase mutual comprehensive understanding, and deepen cooperation for mutual benefit, thus helping the two countries together develop, to succeed in socialist construction in each country. In the spirit of respecting the great cause and friendly, equitable, reasonable, mutual and win-win negotiations, the two sides will strictly implement the common awareness reached by leaders of the two nations, and actively cooperate in dealing with and satisfactorily setting, those issues that have been found in the two countries’ relations. The two sides pledged to increase coordination in international and regional tasks in order to promote long-lasting peace and prosperity in Asia and the world at large.

“The two sides emphasised the need to maintain the tradition of close meetings between Party and State leaders; declared to set up hotlines between Vietnamese and Chinese leaders. The two sides agreed to bring into full play the role of the Steering Committee on Vietnam-China Bilateral Cooperation, build a master plan on and comprehensively promote the two countries’ cooperation in all spheres, and build mechanisms for exchanges and cooperation between relevant Party agencies. The two sides will conduct in-depth exchanges on theoretical and practical experiences of socialism and Party building, national management; continue to well organise theoretical seminars between the two Parties; and boost cooperation in managerial training. The two sides will promote a mechanism on effective cooperation between foreign affairs, national defence, police and security sectors; expand cooperation in the fields of economy, trade, science, technology, culture and education; increase friendship exchanges between the youth, the pioneers, and other mass and people’s organisations; and jointly organise activities to increase public awareness of the friendship between the two countries’ people.

“The two sides expressed their satisfaction at the development of the two countries’ trade-economic cooperation in recent years; agreed to continue pushing implementation of the agreement on expanding and deepening bilateral economic cooperation to early discuss, sign and effectively implement the “five-year plan on trade-economic cooperation development between Vietnam and China” to define key cooperation sectors and projects, and to further lift the scale and level of trade and economic cooperation.

“The two sides agreed in the spirit of reciprocal supplement of priviledge, mutual interests and together winning, to actively seek new areas of cooperation to boost commercial growth and keep increasing two-way trade turnover; and at the same time to take practical and effective measures to improve commercial structure for a balanced development of bilateral trade.

“The two sides actively support and encourage businesses of the two countries to engage in long-term cooperation for mutual benefits in infrastructure, manufacturing, human resources development, energy, mineral ore processing and other key areas.

“The two sides will boost cooperation in such projects as the Dak Nong bauxite project, projects within the “two corridors, one economic belt” framework and other key projects.

“The two sides affirmed to foster cooperation within economic mechanisms in the region, inter-regions and the world at large.

“On this occasion, the two sides signed an agreement between the Government of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Government of the People’s Republic of China on cooperation in flora quarantine and protection, an agreement between the two governments on animal quarantine and veterinary cooperation, and a number of other economic and commercial deals relating to China’s provision of preferential credits and preferential buyers’ loans to Vietnam.

“The two sides expressed satisfaction at basic completion of land border demarcation; agreed to tighten cooperation to solve remaining matters and accelerate work to fulfil, on schedule, the target of fully completing landmark planting along the land borderline of the two countries in 2008 and to early sign a new regulation on border management in order to build a land border of peace, friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

“The two sides will continue well implementing the “Treaty on Tonkin Gulf Demarcation” and the “Treaty on Fishery Cooperation in the Tonkin Gulf”, well conducting join examinations and investigation of aquatic products sources within the common fishing ground as well as joint patrols between the two countries’ naval forces in the Tonkin Gulf; accelerate the implementation of the “framework agreement on oil and gas cooperation in agreed zones in the Tonkin Gulf”, striving to early gain practical results in jointly exploring and exploiting oil and gas structures crossing the Tonkin Gulf delineation line; keep normal fishing operations in order, actively implement cooperation in fishing, environmental protection and search and rescue work at sea in the Tonkin Gulf.
“The two sides will continue firmly accelerating negotiations on delineation of the sea off the Tonkin Gulf , actively exchanging views on cooperation for mutual development, and early starting a joint survey of this area.

“The two sides agreed to strictly abide by related common understanding of the two countries’ leaders, keep the situation in the East Sea stable, continuously maintain negotiation mechanisms on sea issues, through peaceful negotiations, persistently seek a basic and long-lasting solution that can be accepted by the two sides while actively studying and debating cooperation issues for mutual development in order to reach proper models and sectors.

“The Vietnamese side affirmed its consistent one-China policy and its support for the major cause of China unification and resolutely rejected activities targeting an independent Taiwan in any form; Vietnam has never developed and will not develop any official relations with Taiwan. The Chinese side welcomed Vietnam’s stand.

“The two sides expressed satisfaction at the two countries’ cooperation in regional and international works. The two sides affirmed to continue fostering cooperation and coordination at multi-lateral forums such as the United Nations (UN), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC), and the China-Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), work together to maintain and boost peace, prosperity and development of the world.”

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Ha Noi (VNA)- The Viet Nam Agent Orange/Dioxin Victims’ Association has called on the Government to work out policies that take into account toxic chemical consequences and victims’ sacrifice to the nation.

The association has said it is keeping in touch with US attorneys for Vietnamese A/O victims in a lawsuit against US chemical companies and raising fund for this purpose.

In support of the move, the association has been conducting a general survey to know the exact number of the victims.

The lawsuit saw the US Appeals Court opened a testimony on June 18, 2007, in which victims received strong support from the entire Vietnamese nation and international friends with a long list of signatures.

Last year the association received over 62 billion VND in aid, set up humanitarian kindergartens for victims’ children and financially support over 7,000 victims in housing, production and daily life.

The funding was also used to provide free medical check-ups and treatment and wheel-chairs for victims in difficult circumstances.

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The COVA will join the Viet Nam Fatherland Front Central Committee and the Viet Nam Television to organise a ceremony to welcome overseas Vietnamese at the National Conference Centre in Ha Noi on January 31.

The meeting is expected to draw the participation of over 1,000 Vietnamese from countries and territories worldwide.

The committee said it also plans to invite some 50 OVs who had made significant contributions to the national defence and construction to return home to welcome the New Year festival, visit beautiful places in different parts of the country and meet with the Party and State leaders.

The committee will coordinate with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism to send art troupes to Japan and France to serve Vietnamese communities during Tet.(VNA)

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Ha Noi (VNA) – The Republic of Korea (RoK) topped the list of 82 foreign investors in Viet Nam in 2007 for the second consecutive year with 403 projects capitalised at a record of nearly 4.2 billion USD.

This is the highest yearly figure since RoK investors marked their presence in Viet Nam in 1988.
Aside from new investment, RoK enterprises poured an additional 467 million USD into their existing projects in the country, according to the Foreign Investment Department under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

The RoK’s investment structure has changed with remarkable increases in both the number of projects and investment capital in real estate and other key industries such as energy, chemicals, petrochemical and steel production instead of the traditional focus on garment and footwear.

The East Asian country has also attracted attention for its large-scale projects. Charmvit Group recently began work on a 500 million USD project to build the 27-storey Ha Noi Plaza Twin Towers which will house a five-star hotel and a high-end office building while Keangnam Group invested 1 billion USD in building an office and hotel complex near the new International Convention Centre in Ha Noi.

According to Hong Ki Hwa, President of the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (Kotra), Viet Nam has become an attractive destination for foreign investors thanks to many advantages, including low-cost labour, an improved investment environment, a rapid economic growth and an ideal geographical position at the centre of the ASEAN bloc.

A recent survey by the Korea Trade Association showed that in the future, Viet Nam will be the second most attractive address for RoK enterprises, after China . At the moment, many large groups from the RoK such as Posco, Samsung, Lotte and Kumho Asiana are present in Viet Nam .

However, RoK investors are worried about poor infrastructure and high land price in Viet Nam in addition to the lack of information and language barrier.

To address those concerns, the Government has focused on upgrading and developing infrastructure, including electricity and water supply systems as well as traffic works and ports, to facilitate investment activities, said Nguyen Thi Bich Van, Deputy Director of the Foreign Investment Department.

Human resource training is also high on the list of the government’s priorities in the coming time, she added.
As well as cutting down import taxes on goods in line with the country’s commitments to the World Trade Organisation (WTO), Viet Nam will continue implementing its roadmap to open the service market, including telecommunications, transport, banking, insurance and securities services.

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Remittances from the Viet kieu (Overseas Vietnamese) community this year could exceed US$7.5 billion, according to media sources.

Based on figures from local commercial banks, the National Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, remittances from the Viet kieu community to HCM City this year could amount to $6 billion.

According to a recent story in the New York Times, remittances from overseas Vietnamese to Viet Nam in 2006 reached $6.82 billion, just behind the Philippines ($14.8 billion), for all countries in Southeast Asia.

In all of Asia, Viet Nam ranks fourth in the amount of remittances, behind India ($24.5 billion), China ($21.07 billion) and the Philippines.

Nguyen Hoai Bac, director of the Canadian-based Cavitours Trading Corp., said remittances to Viet Nam this year could reach $10 billion.

Remittances are often brought each year to Viet Nam from the 1 million overseas Vietnamese returning to the country every year.

Each year Viet Nam sends from 80,000 to 100,000 guest labourers to these countries.

According to Vietcombank, in the first 11 months of 2007, remittances to Viet Nam through this channel reached $950 million and is expected to amount to $1.05 billion for the entire year, a 60 per cent increase compared with 2006.

Vietcombank accounts for 18 to 20 per cent of the total remittances to Viet Nam through the local commercial banks.

Remittances through Sacombank in the first 11 months reached $840 million and is expected to rise to $950 million for the entire year.

According to figures from the National Committee for Overseas Vietnamese, remittances to Viet Nam through official channels rose from nearly $4 billion in 2005 to $5.2 billion in 2006. - VNS

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A World Bank (WB) report on East Asian and Pacific economies released on November 15 says Viet Nam ’s economy growth remains strong in 2007.

According to the WB Viet Nam report, the country’s firm development, with a GDP growth rate of 8.3 percent in the first nine months of 2007, has been fuelled by strong non-oil exports, investment and private consumption.

The country’s crude oil exports decreased by 10 percent, however, exports in agricultural products, seafood, clothing and footwear surged, the report said.

In particular, the clothing industry recorded a 32 percent increase in sales abroad during the period, putting Viet Nam in the world top ten garment exporters.

Meanwhile retail sales and services grew by nearly 23 percent and total investment rose by 16.3 percent in the year to September 2007, representing 42.5 percent of GDP. Investment by the domestic private sector increased by nearly 28 percent and now accounts for about 17 percent of the GDP.

According to the WB, the US is the biggest market among Viet Nam’s trade partners, making up nearly a fifth of the total, followed by EU, ASEAN and Japan. It is also Viet Nam’s largest garment market, accounting for almost 60 percent.

WB also said the development of Viet Nam’s stock market had experienced “a dramatic boom” over the last two years. By the end of September, stock market capiltalization had surpassed 22 billion USD, or 32.4 percent of the estimated GDP along with a rapid increase of earnings of the listed companies.-(VNA)

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ASEAN member countries are committed to speeding up the fight against terrorism and will continue to cooperate with international community, particularly the United Nations in this effort, a representative from the bloc affirmed.

Ambassador Le Luong Minh, Permanent Representative of Viet Nam to the UN, made the statement on behalf of the ASEAN member countries at the Sixth Committee of the 62nd Session of the General Assembly on Agenda Item 108 "Measures to Eliminate International Terrorism.

Ambassador Minh said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) encourages other UN member states and the UN system to step up cooperation for full realization of the action plans and measures identified in the UN's Global Counter-Terrorism Strategy.

He stressed that ASEAN member countries strongly condemn terrorism in all its forms and manifestations, adding: "We have always been firm in our position that measures to be taken against terrorism must be comprehensive, balanced and in compliance with international law, particularly the principles of national sovereignty, territorial integrity and non-interference in the internal affairs of States."

The diplomat also highlighted the ASEAN's stance that the root causes of terrorism should be addressed and that terrorism cannot and should not be associated with any religion, nationality, civilization or ethnic groups.

Ambassador Minh affirmed that fighting terrorism and other related crimes is always a priority for ASEAN and during the past year, ASEAN member countries spared no efforts in building and strengthening coordination and cooperation in this regard, both within and outside the region.

He noted that a delegation of the UN Counter-Terrorism Executive Directorate, which has just wrapped up a fact-finding tour in Viet Nam, commended Viet Nam for its commitment to combat terrorism and willingness to cooperate with the UN.

In its preliminary conclusions, the delegation recognized the efforts that Viet Nam had made, and continued to make, to improve its legal and institutional framework through its national judicial reform strategy, as well as operational mechanism, to deal with terrorism, the ambassador added.

According to him, the Vietnamese agencies concerned are assessing findings and recommendations of the delegation in order to submit to the Government measures of implementation. (Quan doi Nhan dan)

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