Political Headlines January 20 Vietnam to attend WEF annual meeting in Davos Deputy Prime Minister-cum-Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh will represent Vietnam at the World Economic Forum (WEF) annual meeting 2014 in Switzerland. The meeting, due to take place in Davos from January 22-25, is themed “The Reshaping of the World: Consequences for Society, Politics and Business”. The event aims to develop the insights, initiatives and actions necessary to respond to current and emerging challenges arising from political, economic, social and technological transformation around the globe. New temple honors late Party General Secretary Le Duan President Truong Tan Sang was in attendance on Saturday when a temple was dedicated to the late Party General Secretary Le Duan in Cam Xuyen District of central Ha Tinh Province.   President Truong Tan Sang was in attendance on Saturday when a temple was dedicated to the late Party General Secretary Le Duan in Cam Xuyen District of central Ha Tinh Province. Le Duan was a founding member of the Indochinese Communist Party in 1930 and later became Party General Secretary in 1976, a position he retained until his death 10 years later. Le Duan was born into a patriotic family on April 7, 1908 in Bich La Village, Trieu Dong Commune, Trieu Phong District of central Quang Tri Province, though his home village is in Cam Xuyen District, Ha Tinh Province. During his revolutionary career, the former leader displayed a special sentiment towards the people of Ha Tinh Province. Local leaders and people built the temple, whose construction started in 2011, to honor the great leader. While in the province, President Truong Tan Sang also met with key provincial leaders, where he expressed pleasure over Ha Tinh's development, its high growth rate and successful implementation of a program to build new rural areas. The President said he believed that the province would achieve greater success in the reduction of poverty and in its ongoing socio-economic development. ASEAN ministers talk disaster relief The third meeting of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM Plus) working group on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief was held on January 17, in Viet Nam's coastal central province of Khanh Hoa. The event, co-chaired by Viet Nam and China, drew 50 officials and experts from 17 ADMM+ members and the ASEAN Secretariat. Addressing the meeting, Lieutenant General Vo Van Tuan, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Viet Nam People's Army, stressed that cooperation, sharing information and mobilising resources between member countries might contribute to preventing severe consequences of natural disasters and climate change. Humanitarian assistance and disaster relief will continue to be a priority for member countries, particularly as the region braces for increasingly frequent and dangerous natural disasters, he said. A representative from Viet Nam shared the lessons drawn from the ASEAN Disaster Emergency Response Simulation Exercise hosted by the country last year. Meanwhile, a Japanese delegate spoke of his nation's experience in sending armed forces to join humanitarian and disaster relief activities. During the three-day event, delegates are also reviewing the group's operations from the 2011-13 period and proposing an action plan for the 2014-16 period. The first ADMM+ meeting took place in October 2010 in Ha Noi. At that time, it was agreed to promote cooperation in five sectors: humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, marine security, military medicine, anti-terrorism and peacekeeping. Laos and Japan will take over as co-chairs from Viet Nam and China for the 2014-16 experts' working group. Japan’s Saitama commits to closer ties with Hanoi Hanoi and Japan’s Saitama Prefecture on January 17 signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) boosting their future development cooperation in a comprehensive manner. Addressing the signing ceremony, Deputy Chairman of the municipal People’s Committee Nguyen Van Suu said Hanoi is enjoying strong growth and wants to expand partnership and exchanges with many localities around the world. The capital city has established various large and modern industrial clusters to attract foreign direct investment with priority given to high and clean technology projects, added Suu. Despite advantages in farming, Hanoi’s agricultural production only meets 60 percent of Hanoian’s demand for food. Thus, the city will strongly invest in the agricultural sector in the coming time, especially specialised farming areas. Hanoi wants to receive scientific and technical aid, along with investment from the Japanese partner, which is strong in agriculture and industry and pledges to facilitate the two sides’ businesses to seek sustainable investment opportunities. Deputy Governor of Saitama Yasuo Iwasaki said his prefecture, one of Japan’s 17 largest localities, shares many similarities with Hanoi. He expressed his hope that the two sides will put forth specific action plans following the signed document, adding that Saitama will encourage its enterprises to learn about potential of business in Hanoi, especially its cheap and skilled labour forces. Role of Buddhism in Vietnam’s development reviewed The contribution of primeval Buddhism in Vietnam’s human and national development was explored in depth at a symposium in Ho Chi Minh City on January 18 marking the 57 years since it was introduced to the country. Primeval Buddhism is a branch of the religion based on the Pali canon, an older version of Buddhist scriptures handed down by the Theravada in Pali, known as “the school of the elders”, which is the most ancient of all Buddhism schools. Its followers worship Sakyamuni and avoid superstitious practices. The primeval Buddhism community played their part in the establishment of the Vietnam Buddhist Sangha (VBS) in 1981, said Venerable Thich Tri Quang, Vice President of the VBS Executive Council and head of the Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute. Rector of the Ho Chi Minh City University of Social Sciences and Humanities (USSH) Vo Van Sen emphasised that Buddhism in general, and primeval Buddhism in particular, have long played an important role in the spiritual lives of the Vietnamese. The event focused its discussion on philosophy, Buddhology and primeval Buddhism in Vietnam and Southeast Asia, offering participants an overview of its nature, history, development and values. Deputy Head of the Government Committee for Religious Affairs Bui Thanh Ha commented that the Party and State pay special attention to religious activities, adding that moral and cultural values of all religions are made clear in guidelines and policies. The symposium was co-hosted by the USSH and the VBS’s Vietnam Buddhist Research Institute. VUFO leader upbeat about foreign assistance in 2014 President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Vu Xuan Hong has said he believes international friends will continue to give assistance and close collaboration to Vietnam this year. Meeting with representatives from diplomatic corps, international and non-Governmental organisations (NGO) in Hanoi on January 17 on the occasion of the upcoming Lunar New Year, Hong thanked them for their effective assistance to Vietnam in 2013. He noted with pleasure Vietnam’s cooperation with foreign partners over the past time. The foreign non-Governmental assistance hit some 250 million USD which has gone to poverty reduction, socio-economic development, health care, education, social affairs, environmental protection, emergency assistance, climate change prevention and post-war recovery, he said. Friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and international organisations will continue to thrive, he promised. On behalf of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi, Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam El Houcine Fardani hailed VUFO for facilitating people-to-people exchange over the past time, saying that its activities have popularised Vietnam as a beautiful and hospitable country worldwide. Director of the NGO Resource Centre Marko Lovrekovic, for his part, committed to funding and getting involved in Vietnam’s course of development. The meeting was co-hosted by VUFO and the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee. Embassy marks 64th anniversary of Vietnam-China ties Vietnam is absolutely committed to developing its comprehensive strategic partnership with China, considering it a top priority in both the short and long term, according to Vietnamese Ambassador to China Nguyen Van Tho. The diplomat made the remarks during a January 17 banquet hosted by the Vietnamese Embassy in China to mark the 64 th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties (January 18, 1950-2014). He said the establishment of ties was a milestone leading to the current comprehensive cooperation between the two countries. Despite complexities in the regional and international situation, as well as many ups and downs in bilateral ties, the friendship between Vietnam and China - initiated by President Ho Chi Minh and President Mao Zedong and nurtured by generations of leaders ever since – has remained steadfast. Bilateral ties have helped achieve common aspirations and benefitted both peoples, in line with the current trend of mutual development and prosperity, he said. Tho reiterated that the Party, Government and people of Vietnam treasure the effective support that China gave the country during its struggle for national independence and reunification- which has continued as Vietnam has undertook its ongoing socialist development. He noted that China has been Vitenam’s largest partner during the past nine consecutive years, with two-way trade hitting 50 billion USD last year. Agreements and common understanding reached during meetings between leaders of both countries has shaped the future direction of the ties and strengthened the trust shared by both nations, the ambassador said. He also expressed belief that the Vietnam-China partnership will further flourish in line with the wishes of both countries. In his speech, Chinese Deputy Foreign Minister Liu Zhenmin stated that the bilateral relationship has recorded positive progress last year. Leaders of both countries have achieved common perception on consolidating the shared friendship and settling existing issues appropriately. The Chinese side considers Vietnam as an important part of its external relations, he said. He added that China is ready to work with Vietnam to boost exchanges of delegations and all-round cooperation and seek proper measures to settle all maritime issues, bringing more benefit to both peoples. Earlier the same day, Ambassador Tho held a New Year meeting with local press in China, briefing them on the basic socio-economic situation in Vietnam and the progress made in its external relations, Party building and relationship with China. Hong Kong ceremony marks Vietnam-China diplomatic ties The Vietnamese Consulate General in China’s Hong Kong and Macau has held a ceremony to mark the 64th anniversary of Vietnam-China diplomatic ties (January 18). Speaking at the January 17 event, Consul General Nguyen Thi Nha recalled the two countries’ traditional friendship over the past 64 years, affirming that since the normalisation of the bilateral diplomatic relations in 1991, their ties have enjoyed incessant development in all fields. President Truong Tan Sang’s visit to China, Chinese Prime Minister Li Keqiang’s trip to Vietnam, and his meeting with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung in China’s Guangxi province last year, have helped deepen the two countries’ strategic comprehensive cooperative partnership, helping both sides solve existing problems between them, Nha said. She also expressed her delight at the fine development in relations between Vietnamese localities and Hong Kong, particularly in economics and trade. In the first 11 months of 2013, two-way trade between Vietnam and Hong Kong hit 11.2 billion USD, a year-on-year rise of 11.6 percent. By the end of 2013, Hong Kong had poured investment into 760 projects in Vietnam with a total capital of 12.6 billion USD. It ranked sixth among more than 100 countries and territories investing in Vietnam. Chinese Foreign Ministry’s Commissioner Song Zhe stressed that developing the friendship between Vietnam and China is essential to meet the basic interests of the two countries and their peoples, adding that the ties between Vietnam and Hong Kong are an important part of that. He also spoke highly of the consulate general’s efforts to intensify the Hong Kong-Vietnam partnership, affirming that he will continue supporting the agency. Deputy PM Phuc to visit RoK Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc will pay an official visit to the Republic of Korea from January 19-23 at the invitation of the RoK Government. The strategic partnership between Vietnam and the RoK has fared well in various areas in recent times. The RoK is Vietnam’s largest foreign investor in project number and third largest in capital value. As of November 2013, it had invested in 3,514 projects capitalised at US$28.8 billion. It is also Vietnam’s second largest donor of official development assistance (ODA), committing US$1.2 billion over 2012-15. The RoK is Vietnam’s fourth largest trade partner, with two-way trade reaching US$21.12 billion in 2012 and estimated US$27 billion in 2013. It is also the second largest labour market of Vietnam. Phuc’s visit is expected to start a busy diplomatic year between Vietnam and the RoK. Deputy PM attends ASEAN foreign ministers’ meeting Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh on January 17 attended the ASEAN Foreign Ministers’ Meeting (AMM Retreat), the first regional meeting of its kind hosted by Myanmar. Themed "Moving Forward in Unity to a Peaceful and Prosperous Community”, the event focused on efforts to speed up ASEAN Community building, develop a regional vision beyond 2015, strengthen external relations and talk on issues of global and regional concern. On the realisation of the ASEAN Community – a bloc comprising of ASEAN members that will strengthen the connectivity of the region - by 2015, ministers shared the view that 2014 is a key year that requires the strongest will to fulfill the remaining tasks in an active and responsible manner. At the same time, the bloc should work well on key cooperation programmes like the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity (MPAC), the Initiative for ASEAN Integration (IAI) to narrow the development gap, further improve working efficiency and collaborate within ASEAN agencies and organisations. Participants said that this will enhance the bloc’s capacity for dealing with key regional issues and improve the ability of the ASEAN Secretariat. On the political-security front, ASEAN needs to ensure an environment of peace and security while strengthening trust building, sharing a code of conduct, respecting regulations and agreements, and utilising existing cooperation tools and mechanisms, the talks heard. On the other hand, it is necessary to strengthen ASEAN’s efforts in coping with non-traditional security challenges like natural disasters, climate change, humanitarian assistance, search and rescue and trans-national crime combat. Foreign ministers decided to ask ASEAN leaders a launch review of the ASEAN Charter and working regulations of the ASEAN Inter-Governmental Commission on Human Rights five years after its operations. About economic affairs, they consented to acting quickly on the 2013-2015 priority tasks as scheduled, and implementing agreements signed among member countries and those with their partners, including the free trade agreements. Referring to socio-culture, more attention will be paid to emerging challenges like natural disasters, climate change, environmental pollution, improvement of people’s well-being and social welfares. Simultaneously, images and awareness of the ASEAN Community will be spread further. Participants worked out a concrete plan to put the ASEAN Coordinating Council Working Group into operation soon to formulate of the Vision for post-2015 ASEAN Community. When it came to regional and global issues, the East Sea issue came high on the agenda. Expressing concern over recent developments in the waters, they reiterated the ASEAN’s Six-Point Principle on the East Sea and the significance to maintain peace, stability, security, freedom for maritime navigation and aviation. They called on all parties concerned to exercise restraint and settle disputes by peaceful means in accordance with international law, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the East Sea (DOC). Ministers also stressed the need to step up negotiations towards the early formulation of the Code of Conduct in the East Sea (COC). As for external affairs, they called for deeper and wider external relations, and further bringing into play the ASEAN’s nucleus role. Such must go hand in hand with closer collaboration between the grouping and partners to deal with key regional issues while ensuring that ASEAN plays a central role in an evolving regional structure. They paid special attention to response to natural disasters, especially following the severe damages caused by Haiyan typhoon. They suggested improving capacity of ASEAN functional bodies like the ASEAN Committee on Disaster Management, the Coordinating Centre for Humanitarian Assistance and so that they can offer faster and more effective support in case that a similar disaster occurs. VUFO meeting with foreign representatives The Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) and the People’s Aid Coordinating Committee co-hosted a January 17 meeting with representatives from diplomatic corps, international and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in Hanoi. Speaking at the event in the lead up to the upcoming Lunar New Year Festival (Tet), VUFO President Vu Xuan Hong thanked international friends for their effective assistance to Vietnam over the past year and expressed his belief that they will proceed with assistance and close collaboration with Vietnam in 2014. He noted with satisfaction over cooperation between Vietnam and foreign partners in recent times. The foreign non-governmental aid worth US$250 million was focused on poverty reduction, socio-economic development, health care, education, social affairs, environmental protection, emergency assistance, climate change adaptation and post-war recovery, Hong said. On behalf of the diplomatic corps in Hanoi, Moroccan Ambassador to Vietnam El Houcine Fardani praised VUFO for facilitating people-to-people exchanges, adding that its activities have promoted Vietnam as a beautiful and hospitable country worldwide. NGO Resource Centre Director Marko Lovrekovic pledged to provide funding and engage in Vietnam’s development process. 40 years of Vietnam-France in review The relations between Vietnam and France as well as Europe since the signing of the 1954 Geneva Agreement on the restoration of peace in Vietnam is the focus of an ongoing international workshop in Paris. The three-day event, which began in January 16, is jointly held by Paris I Pantheon-Sorbone University of France, Vietnam’s University of Social Sciences and Humanities, and several other partners. As part of activities within the framework of the “2013-2014 Vietnam-France, France-Vietnam Year”, the workshop also aims to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two countries. Following the Dien Bien Phu victory in 1954 that ended the invasion war waged by French colonialists, the Vietnam-France relations underwent a difficult period. However, the bilateral ties have entered a new chapter since the two countries established their diplomatic relations in 1973. Over the past four decades, both sides have made every effort to cultivate the relationship, notably the signing of many cooperation agreements and mechanisms in various areas. Besides, bilateral dialogue has been expanded to a multilateral one, especially through the Asia-Europe Summit (ASEM). On the first working day, delegates looked back at milestones in the defence ties, which started with France’s opening of its defence attache office in Vietnam in 1991. France has pledged to support Vietnam in training peace-keeping forces within the framework of activities of the United Nations. Major General Daniel Schaeffer, first French military attache to Vietnam, stressed that the two countries boast a lot of potential for defence cooperation, not only in the provision of military technologies but also officer training. He suggested the two sides broaden the bilateral relations into those between European and Southeast Asian countries in order to ensure free navigation at international seas. Historians, experts and historic witnesses highlighted potential for comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and France with the elevation of the bilateral relations into a strategic partnership during Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung’s visit to France in September last year. They also talked about the upcoming visits to Vietnam by French President Francois Hollande and Defence Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian scheduled for this year. Cooperation in politics, economics, trade, culture, science and education will also be tabled at the workshop. VNN/VOV/VNS/VNA