|
Important milestone in ASEAN defence ties
Hanoi (VNA) – The ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting Plus (ADMM+) is an important milestone in the bloc’s defence cooperation, said Vietnamese Deputy Defence Minister Nguyen Chi Vinh.
In a recent article sent to the press, Vinh said that ADMM+ is the highest defence cooperation mechanism between the defence ministers of 10 ASEAN countries and eight Dialogue Partners, namely China, Russia, the US, India, Japan, the Republic of Korea, Australia and New Zealand.
As an important part of the regional security structure, besides its open and constructive dialogues, the ADMM+ also looks towards its role as a forum for practical, effective and significant cooperation between ASEAN and countries outside the region in the field of defence and security, he said.
Being a forum where ASEAN countries exchange their defence resources with the Dialogue Partners, ADMM+ offers an opportunity for ASEAN nations, including Vietnam, to access and attract resources and experiences from the Dialogue Partners to address intra-bloc security issues, especially non-traditional security matters such as terrorism, piracy and natural disasters, as well as share their own resources, experiences and strengths with the Dialogue Partners, helping strengthen the association’s presence and defence role in the region and the world at large.
According to the Vietnamese official, the fourth ASEAN Defence Ministerial Meeting (ADMM-4), themed, “Strengthening ASEAN defence cooperation for a stable and developed region”, was held in Hanoi in early May and recorded good results.
The outstanding success of ADMM-4 was the completion of important legal foundations for ASEAN’s active expansion of its defence and security cooperation with the Dialogue Partners, he said, adding that the meeting entrusted Vietnam to host the first ADMM+ in Hanoi from October 11-13.
These are gigantic efforts that represent ASEAN’s political will, determination and solidarity as well as the results of the joint preparations of ASEAN member countries, Vinh stressed.
He went on to say that the ASEAN Defence Senior Official Meeting Retreat (ADSOM Retreat) in Ho Chi Minh City on August 5 reached a consensus on two important documents: the draft Joint Statement of the first ADMM+ and a document for discussion entitled “Potentials, Prospects and Orientations for Practical Cooperation in the ADMM+ Framework.”
These documents are considered political declarations that reflect the aspirations for cooperation of ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners, give a general outlook of the ADMM+ operation mechanism and point out the future of the ADMM+, he noted.
In addition, the countries agreed to clarify the operation mechanism of the ADMM+, the establishment and operations of working teams and groups of experts, and the functions and tasks of defence senior officials from 18 participating countries.
Deputy Minister Vinh said the first ADMM+ will be a highlight in the year Vietnam assumes the ASEAN Chair, affirming the country’s defence policy of peace, self-defence and high responsibility for peace and stability in the region and the world.
An important issue to be discussed at the meeting will be the exchange of resources between ASEAN and its Dialogue Partners to cope with non-traditional security issues which they have tended to increase recently and are posing new challenges to the regional peace and stability, threatening the development all ASEAN countries.
Over recent history, regional countries, including China , the Philippines , Indonesia and Vietnam have suffered the serious consequences of natural calamities. Therefore, dealing with non-traditional security challenges is a long-term and complicated task that requires the cooperation and exchanges of resources of many countries.
Vinh affirmed that as the host country, Vietnam will continue discussions and exchanges with other ASEAN members and the Dialogue Partners to reach a high level of consensus for the first ADMM+.
There are still many jobs to do in preparation for the meeting but with the determination of the Vietnamese Party and State, the Ministry of National Defence’s active preparations together with the enthusiastic support of other ASEAN countries and the Dialogue Partners, the first ADMM+ will be surely successful, he concluded.-Enditem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cambodia pledges to facilitate Vietnamese investments
Phnom Penh (VNA) – Officials from Vietnam and Cambodia have agreed to increase bilateral meetings to remove arising obstacles and create favourable conditions for Vietnamese companies to invest in the neighbouring country.
Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong and Secretary General of the Council for Development of Cambodia Sok Chan Da reached consensus on the issue during the former’s four-day visit to Cambodia which ended on August 15.
The two sides reviewed the operation and the tempo of Vietnamese-invested projects in Cambodia .
Dong requested concerned agencies of Cambodia to deal with the difficulties Vietnamese businesses are facing while carrying out their projects.
The Cambodian official promised to address these problems in line with the regulations and investment law of Cambodia .
The deputy minister had previously met with representatives of Vietnamese companies in the country to inquire into the implementation of projects and their difficulties as well as proposals.-Enditem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hanoi beauty crowned Miss Vietnam 2010
Quang Ninh (VNA) – Dang Thi Ngoc Han, a 21-year-old arts student from Hanoi was crowned Miss Vietnam 2010 after beating 36 other candidates nationwide at Tuan Chau resort in the northern province of Quang Ninh on August 14.
Han, who stands 1.73m and has measurements of 83-63-93, is studying at the Hanoi University of Industrial Fine Arts and has been modelling since she was 16.
Vu Thi Hoang My, 22, from the southern province of Dong Nai and Pham Thuy Trang, 19, from Ho Chi Minh City were named first and second runners up at the end of the national beauty contest, which has been held every two years since 1988.
The organising board also presented the Miss Talent title to Nguyen Pham Bich Tram from Dong Nai and the Miss Sea title to Nguyen Thi Loan from the northern province of Thai Binh.
Huynh Bich Phuong, a student from Ho Chi Minh City ’s Raffles University , won Miss Beautiful Face and Most Voted awards while the Miss Amity title went to Nguyen Bao Ngoc from the Hanoi University of Foreign Trade.-Enditem
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASEAN meeting on society-culture wraps up
Da Nang (VNA) – The two-day meeting of the Senior Officials’ Committee for the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (SOCA) successfully wrapped up in the central city of Da Nang on August 15.
During the meeting, the officials reviewed the implementation of the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint and prepared for the fourth meeting of the ASCC Council to be held in Da Nang city on August 16.
The participants also exchanged views on priority areas listed in the ASCC Blueprint, including coping with global challenges, developing human resources as well as skills for economic recovery and growth, increasing social welfare for women and children and promoting ASEAN culture.
They made a final review on two draft statements of ASEAN leaders on the priority areas. The two drafts will be submitted to the fourth ASCC Council meeting and the 17th ASEAN Summit in Hanoi this October for approval.- Enditem
|
