Political News 28/7 Ambassador confident of stronger Peru-Vietnam ties Strengthening economic-trade ties with Vietnam is one of Peru’s top priorities, Charge d’affaires Luis Tsuboyama has said. Tsuboyama told Vietnam News Agency in a recent interview that bilateral relations have developed considerably in all realms, from economics, investment and trade to science and technology since both countries established diplomatic ties in 1994. They have signed a number of agreements on economic and trade cooperation. The two governments recently decided to boost cooperation in the areas of their strength, including agriculture, industry, aquaculture and mining. The diplomat noted the military-run telecom group (Viettel) of Vietnam and the Vietnam Oil and Gas Group (Petrovietnam) have developed investment projects in Peru. In turn, Peru has invested in a beverage company in Binh Duong province, marking its appearance in Vietnam. Another Peruvian company plans to offer services on a luxury cruise ship along the Mekong River. However, Tsuboyama said bilateral economic cooperation is yet to match the two countries’ potential. He also pointed out challenges for trade exchanges, including high transport costs and a lack of information on each other’s markets.    He affirmed that the Peruvian embassy in Hanoi supports measures and cooperation programmes between the two countries. It is coordinating with the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) in encouraging business exchanges, helping Peruvian and Vietnamese companies explore markets, seek investment opportunity, and establish partnerships. The diplomat expressed his belief that Vietnam, with a population of more than 90 million, will be a potential market for Peruvian businesses.  PM Dung affirms close Vietnam-Japan ties Vietnam will do its utmost to, together with Japan, strengthen bilateral cooperation in a deep, practical and effective manner on the back of the recently established extensive strategic partnership. Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung was speaking at a reception in Hanoi on July 25 for Governor Kuroiwa Yuji of the Japanese prefecture Kanagawa. Dung hailed the result of Yuji’s working sessions with several Vietnamese agencies and localities, which he said will make a positive contribution to boosting cooperation between Vietnam and Japan.   He assured his guest that the government of Vietnam supports and facilitates cooperation between Vietnamese localities and businesses with Kanagawa. The PM voiced his support for Yuji’s proposal to build an industrial park in Vietnam, and said Vietnam will create favourable conditions and offer incentives to this park. He encouraged Kanagawa to soon make a survey and decide on the location for the park in Vietnam. For his part, Yuji said he expects stronger economic cooperation between Kanagawa and Vietnamese localities and businesses.   With a wealth of experience in agricultural production, Kanagawa is willing to help train Vietnamese agricultural engineers and receive Vietnamese nurses, orderlies and hi-tech engineers to work in the locality, he said. Legal experts analyse lawsuit mechanisms International legal experts from 12 countries, including representatives from diplomatic agencies, international organizations and Vietnamese researchers, analysed mechanisms for filing a lawsuit against China at an international seminar in HCM City. The seminar themed “Legal aspects regarding the incident of China’s placement of oil rig Hiyang Shiyou-981 in Vietnam’s EEZ and continental shelf” was co-hosted by the Vietnam Lawyers' Association (VLA) and HCM City University of Law on July 26, attracting 50 international law experts. Scholars affirmed that the East Sea is an international maritime artery and has a particularly important geo-political position not only for regional countries but the wider world. Therefore, maintaining a stable environment, cooperation and development in the East Sea is an obligation of all regional nations and is an important factor in ensuring security and freedom of navigation, aviation and international trade. China’s placement of its drilling platform 981 in Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone (EEZ) and continental shelf has promoted joint efforts for concerned parties to work together on the basis of international law, including the 1982 UN Convention Nations Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), to resolve the disputes peacefully. Judging from objective and scientific analyses, scholars shed light on international legal issues relating to the incident. They performed in-depth analysis on regulations of international legal documents relating to the peaceful settlement of international disputes through political and diplomatic measures. They also discussed the possibility of applying legal measures to resolve the current disputes as well as conditions and lawsuit mechanisms, and legal values of judgement of international court and arbitration on the issue. Professor Dr. Mai Hong Quy, HCM City University of Law Rector said: "China’s illegal stationing of its oil rig 981 in Vietnam’s EEZ and continental shelf has clearly put forth political and legal issues. The scholars more or less mentioned ramifications of human rights, the legitimate rights of fishermen and the way China dealt with. Consequently, it is needed to have answers for questions that concern all Vietnamese people.” Japanese FM honours Vietnam’s Japan Alumni Chairman The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan (MOFA) on July 25 presented a certificate of merit of its Minister to the Honorary Chairman of the Japan Alumni of Vietnam (JAV), Nguyen Ngoc Binh, in recognition of his contributions to boosting Vietnam-Japan relations. As Vice Chairman of the JAV, Binh had made great efforts in promoting connections among former Vietnamese students in Japan. Since he assumed the role of JAV Chairman in 2004, he has led the association to make positive contribution to fostering exchange and mutual understanding as well as the friendship and relations between the two countries. In 2006, after joining the ASEAN Council of Japan Alumni (ASCOJA), JAV’s position in the region has been raised. In 2013, Vietnam hosted the ASCOJA congress in Hanoi for the first time and Nguyen Ngoc Binh chaired the event. Binh has also cooperated with Japanese partners in organising workshops on Japanese study or contests of eloquence in Vietnam.- President Sang tours Quang Ninh island districts President Truong Tan Sang had working visits to island commune of Ngoc Vung, and island district Co To to inspect socio-economic, national defence and security tasks of Quang Ninh province on July 26. Ngoc Vung island commune, Van Don district, lies in a strategically important area in terms of national defence and fisheries logistics center. After three years of responding to a nationwide campaign on new rural development, it has met 11 out of 19 national criteria for new-style rural areas. Besides raising annual seafood output to 1,000 tonnes, the commune is developing community-based tourism services targeting thousands of visitors. President Sang asked local authority to further study its proposal of a special development mechanism, making it easier for agencies concerned to consider for approval. Working with Co To local authority, the leader asked for a mechanism to develop its economy, saying that he believes Co To will become a fisheries logistics and tourism centre in the foreseeable future. He also requested local authorities to build a strong political apparatus, ensuring sea and island sovereignty. The President also said island districts in the province should work together to build a coastline of peace and friendship for mutual benefit. Co To has three administrative communes and over 5,000 residents living mainly on fisheries. Last year, it welcomed 56,000 visitors and is expecting to greet 100,000 this year. In Ngoc Vung and Co To, the State leader offered incense at memorials dedicated to late President Ho Chi Minh. During his working trip, Sang also visited Mong Duong 1 and Mong Duong 2 thermo-power plants and paid floral tributes to war heroes in Ha Long city. Meeting marks Cuba’s Moncada Barracks attack Northern Tuyen Quang province on July 26 celebrated the 61st anniversary of the attack on Moncada Barracks that led to the victory of Cuban armed forces against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. In his speech, provincial People’s Committee Vice Chairman Vu Thi Bich Viet recalled the two countries’ traditional friendship that had been nurtured by late President Ho Chi Minh and leader Fidel Castro. “Vietnamese people, including those in Tuyen Quang, always remember and are grateful for Cuba’s valuable support for Vietnam’s past struggle for national liberation as well as its current national construction and defence.” she said. Liurka Rodríguez Barrios, Chargé d’ Affaires at the Cuban Embassy greatly valued the sound Vietnam-Cuba relations, saying that bilateral ties have been further strengthened through exchange visits by senior leaders. Vietnam congratulates Cuba on Moncada anniversary Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, President Truong Tan Sang and Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung have extended congratulations to Cuban leaders over the 61 st anniversary of the attack on Moncada Barracks (July 26) that culminated in the victory of Cuban armed forces against the dictatorship of Fulgencio Batista. The congratulations were sent to First Secretary of the Communist Party of Cuba’s Central Committee, President of the Council of State and President of the Council of Ministers Raul Castro Ruz. On the occasion, Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Binh Minh also cabled a congratulatory message to Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez Parrilla. Indian seminar marks 60 years of Geneva Accords The Vietnam Embassy in India and the Indian Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) co-hosted a seminar in New Delhi on July 24 to shed light on the signing of the Geneva Accords which brought a truce in Vietnam (1954 - 2014). Ambassador Nguyen Thanh Tan highlighted the significance of the Geneva Accords, saying it asked France and all other countries who attended the Geneva Conference in July 1954 to respect the independence and territorial integration of Vietnam. The signing of the agreement created a firm legal foundation for the Vietnamese people’s struggle for national liberation and unification, he said. The diplomat noted that Vietnam has achieved tremendous achievements in its reform process over the past three decades, resulting in political stability, social security, and better living standards. Vietnam has set up diplomatic ties with almost all countries around the world and established strategic partnerships with neighbouring countries and powerful nations. The country’s active participation  in regional and international organizations (ASEAN, APEC, ASEM and the UN)  has enhanced its role and prestige in international arena, Tan underscored. Indian Deputy Foreign Minister Anil Wadhwa took this occasion to praise the Vietnam-India relationship, which said has been nurtured and strengthened by generations of the two countries’ leaders. The bilateral strategic partnership is currently developing despite challenges. “India is always a friend of Vietnam in any circumstances,” he stated. Senior leaders pay tribute to fallen soldiers A high-level Party and State delegation on July 25 laid a wreath and offered incense to commemorate fallen soldiers at the Monument to Heroic Martyrs on Bac Son street. The ceremony was part of commemorative activities marking the 67th anniversary of Memorial Day for War Martyrs (July 27). The delegation also paid a floral tribute to late President Ho Chi Minh at his mausoleum. Senior leaders included Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong, State President Truong Tan Sang, Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung, former Party General Secretary Le Kha Phieu, former NA Chairman Nguyen Van An and other politburo members. The same day, delegations from the Ministries of Defence, Public Security, Labour, Invalids and Social Affairs, the Hanoi municipal People’s Council and People’s Committee, offered incense to commemorate the nation’s fallen soldiers and paid tribute to Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum.  Source: VNA/VOV/VNS