Category: Politics

Bangkok: The 23rd conference of the nine provinces of Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand that share the use of Road 8 and Road 12 took place in the northeastern Thai province of Sakon Nakhon on February 27 – 29 to review their cooperation in 2023 and propose future cooperation directions.

The event saw the participation of representatives from the central provinces of Ha Tinh, Nghe An, Quang Binh of Vietnam; Bueng Kan, Sakon Nakhon, Nakhon Phanom and Nong Khai provinces of Thailand; and Bolikhamxay and Khammouane province of Laos. It was also attended by representatives of dozens of businesses from the three countries.

Addressing the event, Vietnamese Consul General in Khon Kaen Chu Duc Dung said the agency is actively strengthening cooperation with provinces in northeastern Thailand, particularly those with overseas Vietnamese communities and bordering Laos, focusing on areas of trade, investment, tourism, culture, education, and health care in provinces along Road 8, Road 9 and Road 12; and fostering development
in the nine provinces.

Participants reviewed their cooperation in 2023 and discussed orientations for future cooperation.

They agreed to continue promoting cooperation in education, health care, culture, sports, tourism, science, and technology, including expanding partnerships in training human resources; supporting migrant workers to move freely in accordance with agreements within ASEAN and on the basis of each country’s legal regulations; and strengthening information exchange on preventing COVID-19, monkeypox and other diseases are spreading.

Regarding transportation, participants unanimously agreed to urgently request the governments of the three countries to complete documents for constructing the Ha Tinh – Thakhek – Nakhon Phanom – Bangkok transport route; coordinate to open a passenger transportation route connecting Quang Binh, Khammouane, Nakhon Phanom and Sakon Nakhon; create favourable conditions for logistics businesses in the nine provinces to set up partnerships in transporting goods via Ro
utes 8 and 12 to the Vung Ang Industrial Zone of Ha Tinh province, Hon La of Quang Binh province, Cua Lo of Nghe An province, and delivery to third countries.

They underlined the necessity to accelerate the construction project of the Vientiane – Hanoi expressway via the Thanh Thuy (Nghe An) – Nam On (Bolikhamxay) intersection, towards facilitating trade, travel, and socio-economic development in Laos and Vietnam.

For agriculture cooperation, the localities also agreed to intensify information and experience sharing in training and technology transfer in agriculture among them; and cooperation in combating the trafficking of wild animals along border areas.

The 24th event of this kind will be held in Quang Binh in February and March, 2025. The 23rd preparatory conference for the event will take place in Laos’s Khammouane province in September and October this year./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Vientiane: The Senior Officials’ Meeting (SOM) of the Cambodia-Laos-Vietnam (CLV) Development Triangle Area took place in the Lao southern province of Attapeu on February 29, as part of the 13th Meeting of the Joint Coordination Committee (JCC) on the CLV Development Triangle Area underway from February 26-March 1.

The event was co-chaired by Lao Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongphan Savanphet, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong, and Under-Secretary of State at the Ministry of Commerce and Head of the CLV SOM for Cambodia Peng Sovicheat, with representatives from the three countries’ ministries, agencies and authorities from 13 provinces, including Kon Tum, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Dak Nong and Binh Phuoc of Vietnam; Sekong, Attapeu, Salavan and Champasak of Laos; and Stung Treng, Rattanakiri, Mondul Kiri, and Kratie of Cambodia taking part.

Delegates were briefed on the outcomes of the meetings of the four sub-committees on economy, security-foreign affairs, socio-enviro
nment, and local authorities; and activities related to the JCC. They also heard reports on the outcomes of the 13th Conference on Trade, Investment and Tourism Promotion and the 9th CLV Youth Forum.

The meeting later considered and approved the scheduled programme and agenda of the JCC’s 13th Meeting, along with the SOM report, and recommendations and draft report.

In his address, Deputy Minister Phuong highlighted joint activities among the three countries over the past 25 years that have contributed to their relatively high economic growth. National defence and security have been maintained, contributing to building a borderline of peace, stability, friendship, and mutual development.

However, he pointed to the slow formulation of specific policies, programmes and cooperation plans as hinderances to materialising the full collaboration potential. This requires the three countries to make concerted efforts and come up with more comprehensive solutions to make a breakthrough in regional cooperation agreem
ents, he said.

The outcomes of the SOM meeting will be reported to the JCC’s 13th Meeting on March 1./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Beijing: China’s Guangxi province is willing to work with the Vietnamese provinces of Ha Giang, Quang Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang to realise common perceptions reached by the high-ranking leaders of the two Parties and States, thus further deepening the relationship between the two countries, said Liu Ning, Secretary of the Party Committee of China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region.

He made the statement at the 2024 spring meeting with his counterparts from the four Vietnamese provinces in Beijing on February 27-28.

They reviewed results of cooperation over the past year and put forth orientaitons for joint work in the time to come.

They agreed that China and Vietnam are good neighbours, good friends, good comrades and good partners. They also pledged to continue to step up high-level exchanges and practical cooperation in the fields of economy-trade, people-to-people exchange, and border management.

Within the framework of the event, Liu hosted separate receptions for the Party leaders of Ha Giang, Quan
g Ninh, Lang Son and Cao Bang, during which they exchanged ideas on the implementation of common perceptions reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and nations as well as measures to boost practical collaboration in various fields./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Paris: Ambassador Nguyen Thi Van Anh, Permanent Representative of Vietnam to UNESCO, had working sessions on February 27 – 28 with Qu Xing, Deputy Director-General of UNESCO; Ernesto Ottone Ramirez, Assistant Director-General for Culture at UNESCO; and Anthony Ohemeng Boamah, Assistant Director-General for Priority Africa and External Relations.

During the meetings, the Vietnamese diplomat emphasised the importance of multilateralism and the role and contributions by UNESCO in addressing increasing global challenges, contributing to preserving peace and security, and promoting sustainable development in the world.

She affirmed Vietnam’s consistent foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation, and diversification, highlighting Vietnam’s policy of considering culture, science, and education as important motivations for rapid and sustainable development. She also underscored Vietnam’s efforts to fulfill its commitments under UNESCO’s conventions that Vietnam has joined.

The ambassador th
anked UNESCO for its support, especially in implementing the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation between the Vietnamese Government and the organisation in the 2021-2025 period, hoping that it will strengthen cooperation with Vietnam in the fields of culture, education, social and natural sciences, and information and communication.

She called for UNESCO’s assistance to Vietnam in building new heritage dossiers, as well as in preserving and promoting UNESCO-recognised heritage pieces.

Anh affirmed that Vietnam will strive to implement its role and responsibilities as a member state of UNESCO, aiming to deepen cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO in a substantive and effective manner, thus contributing to implementing UNESCO’s goals as well as promoting socio-economic development of countries.

For their part, UNESCO officials thanked Vietnam for its role, participation, support, and positive, effective, and responsible contributions to UNESCO. They highly valued Vietnam’s concurrent roles in various
crucial positions, such as Vice Chair of UNESCO committee for the protection of cultural expression diversity, member of the Executive Board of UNESCO, and member of the World Heritage Committee.

UNESCO officials said they are pleased to observe the fruitful development of cooperation between Vietnam and UNESCO, considering it a model partnership that should continue to be strengthened. They suggested Vietnam share its experiences with other UNESCO member countries, particularly those in Africa.

The officials affirmed their commitment to continue boosting cooperation with Vietnam, accompanying and supporting Vietnam in implementing policies related to education, science, and culture, expressing their hope that Vietnam will promote international cooperation and solidarity in these fields within the framework of global governance for sustainable development./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: President of Ireland Michael D. Higgins has agreed to foster bilateral cooperation and connectivity with Vietnam across spheres, especially economy, people-to-people exchange, and education-training.

At a reception for visiting Vietnamese Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son on February 28, the President lauded Son’s official visit, the first to Ireland by a Vietnamese foreign minister over the past more than 20 years, and expressed his belief that it will contribute to deepening the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between the two countries.

He congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements over the past time, and affirmed the importance Ireland attaches to the Southeast Asian nation’s position and role in its strategy towards the Asia-Pacific.

For his part, Son stressed Vietnam always wishes to enhance the bilateral friendship and multi-faceted cooperation, saying he hopes that through the visit, the two sides will review and set out major orientations and measures to enhanc
e the relationship comprehensively and intensively, for the sake of their people.

The minister suggested the President support joint efforts in stepping up all-level delegation exchanges and contacts, and raise his voice for the Irish parliament to soon ratify the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).

He also expressed his hope for stronger collaboration in education-training, as well as further culture and art exchanges, and connectivity between localities of the two countries.

Son proposed the host leader continue his support for Vietnam as a priority partner in development cooperation policies in the time ahead, and help the country in human resources development, digital transformation, and high-tech agriculture.

Expressing his delight at the strong, intensive, and extensive development of the Vietnam-Ireland cooperation, Higgins agreed with Son’s proposals to enhance coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums, settle conflicts and disputes by peaceful measures in line with t
he United Nations Charter and international law, and cope with global challenges like climate change and food security, for sustainable development in each country, and for peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large.

On this occasion, the President commended contributions by the Vietnamese community in Ireland to the country, and pledged to create favourable conditions for them to further integrate into the host society, study and work there, serving as a bridge in the bilateral friendship./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: Directive No. 27-CT/TW, which has recently been issued by the Politburo regarding the enhancement of the Party’s leadership over thrift practice and wastefulness prevention, has received strong support from public opinion to effectively fight wastefulness at its root, an evil that is as harmful to society as corruption.

The policy to encourage thriftiness and prevent wastefulness is not a new one. President Ho Chi Minh once affirmed that frugality is one of the virtuous qualities of a revolutionary.

‘Corruption is harmful, but wastefulness is sometimes even more harmful. It is more harmful than corruption because it is more common,’ the late leader had said.

Over the years, thrift practices and wastefulness combat have received great attention from the Party and State. The 6th National Party Congress defined the way for comprehensive national reform with economic reform being the core, during which thrift practices and wastefulness control is a significant part. The Party has considered frugality as
a major policy that must be applied in all production, construction and consumption activities.

In 1987, the Council of Ministers issued a decision on thorough frugality practicing. In 1993, the 9th National Assembly adopted a resolution on thrift practices and wastefulness and corruption prevention. In 1998, the 10th National Assembly Standing Committee released an ordinance on thrift practices and wastefulness combat. The same year, the Government issued a decree specifying the implementation of the ordinance.

In 2005, the 11th National Assembly passed the Law on Thrift Practice and Anti-Wastefulness. The 3rd session of the 10th Party Central Committee released a resolution on strengthening the Party’s leadership over corruption and wastefulness prevention and control.

The efforts have produced positive changes. A report from the National Assembly’s supervision team over the implementation of policies and laws on thrift practices and wastefulness combat in the 2016-2021 showed that the policies have resu
lted in more effective mobilisation and use of human, material and financial resources, tightened management and use of state budget and other state resources, along with more streamlined state apparatus and substantial administrative reform.

Resources for many stagnant projects have been revoked, including nearly 100,000 hectares of land, while many economic cases causing serious losses of state capital and assets have been strictly handled.

However, in reality, thrift practice and wastefulness combat activities have still seen a lot of shortcomings and limitations, according to the report, citing an incomplete report from ministries, sectors and localities showing that in 2016, there were 1,448 projects lagged behind schedule. The figure was 1,962 projects in 2021, including important national projects and key projects.

Wastefulness has been found in the social life and become common in many areas and many localities, causing a waste of thousands of billions of VND.

At a meeting with voters on the thres
hold of the 5th session of the 15th National Assembly, NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue stressed that wastefulness even causes greater losses than corruption.

Wastefulness is clearly causing unpredictable consequences and creating invisible barriers in socio-economic development. More seriously, wastefulness and corruption are threats to efforts to turn Vietnam into a developed and high-income country by 2045 as set by the 13th National Party Congress’s resolution.

This is the reason that the Politburo has issued Directive 27-CT/TW, in which the Politburo underlined the need to consider frugality as the behavioural culture of every official, Party member, public servant and every citizen, especially leaders and managing officials.

Through the directive, the Politburo asked for special attention to areas prone to loss, waste, and negativity such as bidding, auction, management and use of land, resources, credit, and asset management, public investment, the use of state capital and assets in enterprises.

Particul
arly, with the issuance of Directive 27, the Politburo emphasised the need to thoroughly deal with problems in key national projects, projects using ODA, and inefficient BOT and BT projects that cause great losses, as well as weak commercial banks and halted projects, thus revoking assets to serve socio-economic development.

With the directive, wastefulness is expected to be stopped at the root./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency

Hanoi: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee Nguyen Phu Trong has sent a letter of congratulations to President of the Cambodian People’s Party (CPP) Samdech Techo Hun Sen on the successful organisation of the fifth Senate election in Cambodia on February 25.

In the letter, Trong, on behalf of the CPV Central Committee, extended warm congratulations to Hun Sen, and other CPP leaders, officials and members on the success of the election, in which the CPP has won a landslide victory.

The election results once again have affirmed the role and position of the CPP under the leadership of its President, he said.

‘We firmly believe that with its achievements and rich experience, along with support from the Cambodian people, the CPP, led by President Hun Sen, will gain many new, greater achievements during the cause of national defence, construction and development,’ the Vietnamese Party leader said.

Trong affirmed that Vietnam will continue to do its best, together with Camb
odia, to preserve and promote the good relationship between the two countries, making its more intensive, substantive and effective, for the sake of their people and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world at large./.

Source: Vietnam News Agency