Bright examples praised in following President Ho’s moral

He expressed his wish that each delegate will share with people in their localities about lessons and experiences from other outstanding individuals.

Delegates from 7 cities and provinces shared practical experiences in studying and following Ho Chi Minh’s moral example.

Truong Thi Nhan from Hanoi talked about her experiences in mobilising people’s contributions to encourage education.

Bui Ngoc Du from Mangyang district, the Central Highlands province of Gia Lai , said he strove after President Ho’s example of thrift, transparence and dedication to work and the people.

Meanwhile, Dang Kim Thuy, chief care worker at the General Hospital of southern Bac Lieu province tried to follow Uncle Ho’s selflessness and wholehearted spirit in caring for her patients.

Russian FM talks ties with Vietnam

Moscow (VNA) –The ties with Vietnam bear special significance for Russia , a senior Russian official has said.

“Experiencing numerous difficulties and challenges over the past 60 years, Russia and Vietnam have still maintained a friendly and trustful relationship as well as mutual respect to each other,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov emphasised, noting that it is one of the major achievements the two countries have attained to date.

The Foreign Minister made those assessments in an interview granted to the Vietnam News Agency on the occasion of the 60 th anniversary of Vietnam-Russia diplomatic ties (Jan. 30).

Lavrov noted that a series of high-level political meetings held in early 21 st century have helped lift the Russia-Vietnam strategic partnership to a new level that fully meets the vital interests of the two peoples and contribute importantly to strengthening security, stability and cooperation in the Asia-Pacific.

“While implementing their own foreign policies of diversification, both Russia and Vietnam attach importance to enhancing their coordination of actions,” the diplomat said, highlighting the experiences accumulated in major cooperation areas over the years as the firm foundation for that coordination.

He cited the Hoa Binh hydro-electric power plant and the VietsovPetro oil and gas joint venture company as the symbol of the two countries’ effective cooperation, alongside traditional links in education, training and humanitarian areas.

Lavrov in particular mentioned the warm and sincere feelings that the people of both countries share about each other.

Regarding the prospect of the two countries’ relationship, the FM said that after the difficult time in the 1990s, Russia-Vietnam ties have entered a new chapter of dynamic development on the basis of a Joint Statement on Strategic Partnership signed during the Russian President’s visit to Vietnam in March, 2001.

The two countries have been able to find optimal solutions to a wide range of issues of bilateral cooperation, Lavrov affirmed.

Political dialogues have been increased at all levels, first of all high level, over those years. In the past decade, the Russian President and Prime Minister each visited Vietnam twice while Russia greeted Vietnam ’s Party chief once, the State President, twice, and the Prime Minister, three times.

He said the outcomes of President Dmitry Medvedev’s talks with President Nguyen Minh Triet in Moscow in October 2008 and the results of Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s working visit to Russia in December 2009 have contributed significantly to furthering the Russia-Vietnam all-around cooperation.

Russia and Vietnam share common viewpoints in many major global issues at present, and both have unanimously supported the adherence to collective principles in global policies as well as the formation of a global multi-polar system based on international laws and multilateral diplomacy with the UN playing the core role, the FM underlined.

Lavrov described economic-trade cooperation as the most important component of the Russia-Vietnam ties, citing the January-October trade value of 1.5 billion USD in 2009 – a record high over the past two decades – to support his view.

Bilateral cooperation has proved effective in the fields of fuel, energy, mechanical engineering, post and telecommunications, the FM said.

“In general, the development results of the Russia-Vietnam ties give us the reason to be optimistic about the future,” Lavrov said.

Regarding Vietnam ’s role in Russia ’s foreign policy in 2010, the FM affirmed that “Russian always gives priority to Vietnam in its Asia-Pacific policy.”

Russia and Vietnam are cooperating effectively in Southeast Asia and the Asia-Pacific, particularly in the APEC forum and within the Russia-ASEAN dialogue framework, he said.

“I believe that the Russia-Vietnam relationship would be further boosted this year as Vietnam becomes the Chair of ASEAN as Russia treasures cooperation with the association and is its overall dialogue partner,” the FM said.

He said he hopes with Vietnam ’s assistance, the second Russia-ASEAN summit would be held successfully in Hanoi in the upcoming autumn.

Clash breaks out at Cambodia-Thailand border area

Phnom Penh (VNA) - Cambodian troops clashed with Thai soldiers on Jan. 24 at the two countries' disputed border area, about 20 kilometres east of Preah Vihear temple.

Lt. Gen. Chea Tara, Deputy Commander of the Royal Cambodian Armed Forces and commander at the border area near the temple said Cambodia suffered no casualties in the skirmish. Tara said the fighting began when Thai troops intruded into Cambodian territory. 

Meanwhile, Cambodia ’s Defence Ministry spokesman Lt. Gen. Chhum Socheach said there were two firefights that happened after 9 am local time and lasted about five minutes each.

Disputes between Cambodia and Thailand broke out into violent clashes in 2008, when the 11 th century Preah Vihear temple was named a world heritage site by the United National Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). Seven soldiers of both sides were reported killed in the fighting.

Vietnam, Germany youths enhance friendship

Berlin (VNA) – The authorities of Germany ’s Hessen State have launched an youth exchange programme with Vietnam as part of activities to mark the 35 th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic ties.

According to a press release of the Culture Ministry of Hessen, the project “Hessen meets Vietnam-Vietnam meets Hessen” is participated by 100 young people from Hessen and Vietnam .

Participants from Hessen will hold seminars on prospects for sustainable development in Germany and Vietnam and establish on-line links with Vietnamese friends in Hanoi to work on joint projects. 
They plan to open “Culture Café” in Vietnam and Hessen and promote sport exchanges and environmental protection activities.

The German young people will come to Vietnam this summer and then Vietnamese participants will visit Hessen to carry out a project in cooperation between Hessen Culture Ministry and German World University Service (WUS).

Visit by Lao inspectors to boost Vietnam-Laos ties

Hanoi (VNA) – The party, state and people of Laos will do their utmost together with Vietnam to further promote the traditional friendship relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, said a ranking Lao official.

Asang Laoly, Deputy PM, Head of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party’s Central Inspection Committee, made the remarks at a meeting with Secretary General of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), Nong Duc Manh, in Hanoi on Jan. 24.

During the talks, Laoly informed Secretary General Manh of the results of a recent talks between the inspection committees of the two parties and expressed thanks to Vietnam for tremendous support to Laos ’ revolutionary cause.

Secretary General Manh praised the results of the meeting between the two party’s inspection bodies as well as their contribution to strengthening and increasing the special Vietnam-Laos relations.

He said both sides should continue to closely coordinate and regularly exchange experiences so as to make sound preparations for party congresses at all levels.

He also thanked Laos for its support, confirming Vietnam ’s determination to work with Laos in lifting the bilateral relations to new heights for the benefits of the two peoples and for the sake of peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

During the stay in Vietnam , the delegation of Lao Party inspectors had held talks with the CPV’s Central Inspection Commission, worked with the People’s Committees of Hanoi and Hai Duong province and visited Ho Chi Minh mausoleum.

BUSINESS

Vietnamese investors in Laos shift to new fields

Vientiane (VNA) – Vietnamese investors in Laos are planning to expand their investment into such new fields as post and telecommunications, finance, banking and insurance in addition to their current interests in mining, hydro-electricity and industrial crops. 

The intention was included in the working programme of the Vietnam Business Association for Cooperation and Investment in Laos (Viet-Lao BACI) discussed at its meeting in Vientiane on January 24. 

To that end, the association will promote relations with other Vietnamese business associations to get experiences as well as technical and financial supports. 

Vietnam is one of the leading investors in Laos , with a combined investment capital of over 2.1 billion USD in nearly 200 projects.

100 enterprises get trade services awards 2009

Hanoi (VNA) – One hundred enterprises and ten entrepreneurs were granted the Vietnam Top Trade Services awards 2009 at a ceremony held in Hanoi on January 24. 

The annual event was jointly organised by the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Cong Thuong newspaper. 

Addressing the ceremony, Deputy Minister of Industry and Trade Le Danh Vinh spoke highly of the role the enterprises and entrepreneurs play in the course of building a socialist-oriented market economy in the country. 

The awards aim to honour those enterprises which have made great achievements in trade, services and industrial production. In addition, it is hoped to further strengthen relations among the enterprises and spur them to integrate into the world economy. 

The winners of those awards will be introduced by Vietnam ’s missions abroad. 

The Vietnam Top Trade Services Awards were started in 2007.

Vietnam, Thailand cooperate in stock market

Bangkok (VNA) - The Hanoi Stock Exchange and the Stock Exchange of Thailand (SET) have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on a bilateral cooperation framework for five years, in Bangkok . 

Under the MoU, the two sides will share information and experiences in stock market management, create new business opportunities for investors by linking their networks and activities. 

In addition, Vietnamese enterprises and Vietnam-Thailand joint ventures will be encouraged to list on both Vietnam ’s and Thailand ’s stock markets when the two countries approve relevant laws and regulations. 
At present, trade and investment relations between Vietnam and Thailand are flourishing. According to a survey recently conducted by SET, 43 percent of Thai listed companies said they are very interested in Vietnam ’s market.