POLITICS IN BRIEF 23/8

August 23, 2009
Vietnam applauds peace and stability in Lebanon

Vietnam welcomes the general trend of peace and stability in Lebanon since the June parliamentary elections and calls for all parties concerned to soon establish a new national unity government.

The statement was made by Ambassador Bui The Giang, Deputy Representative for Vietnam at a UN Security Council consultation on the operations of the UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) in New York on August 20.

He added that Vietnam wishes to see a Lebanon of long-term stability, prosperity and full integration into the international community.

“We confirm our continued support for the collective undertakings by the United Nations, the League of Arab States, regional countries and the international community aimed at a just, lasting and comprehensive peace in the Middle East, of which respect for the territorial integrity, sovereignty and political independence of Lebanon represents an integral part,” he stressed.

While advocating the investigation process carried out by UNIFIL and the Lebanese Armed Forces, the Vietnamese diplomat underlined the imperative for all parties to exercise maximum restraint and ensure the safety and security of UN peacekeepers, humanitarian workers and the local population. “We urge Israel to immediately cease flights over Lebanese territory and withdraw from the northern part of Ghajar village and an adjacent area north of the Blue Line,” he said.

After commending the role played by UNIFIL in deterring the resumption of hostilities and maintaining the ceasefire in the area between the Blue Line and the Litani River, Ambassador Giang welcomed the tripartite cooperation between UNIFIL and the parties involved to visibly mark the Blue Line, their effective efforts in clearing landmines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war, as well as the increased assumption of security responsibilities by the Lebanese Armed Forces across the country.

Regarding the Secretary-General’s intention to conduct an assessment of the structure of the force, assets and requirements in the coming months, the diplomat said that the exercise should be carefully planned and in close consultation with countries contributing troops so as to ensure the highest possible efficiency.

Vietnam, Hungary work for more practical cooperation
Hungary and Vietnam have both been trying their best to raise the benefits reaped from their traditional cooperation over the past six decades to a more comprehensive and practical level.

These views were shared by Hungarian Ambassador to Vietnam Vizzi Laszlo and the President of the Vietnam-Hungary Friendship Association’s HCM City Chapter, Le Minh Triet, at a ceremony to mark Hungary ’s National Day in Ho Chi Minh City on August 21.

Triet said members of the Vietnam -Hungary Friendship Association “are ready to join in contributing to” developing and diversifying the ties between the two countries, particularly education and training cooperation.

Last year, the two countries signed an education cooperation agreement for the 2008-2011 along with three other cooperation agreements during Hungarian President Solyom Laszlo’s visit to Vietnam.

Hungary opened its second trade and investment promotion office in Ho Chi Minh City early this year, which acts as a representative for small and medium-sized Hungarian businesses in Vietnam.

According to the Hungarian Ambassador, his country is embarking on economy-targeted diplomatic activities to prepare for its next phase of dynamic cooperation with Vietnam in the post-crisis period.

The Ambassador also emphasised new cooperation opportunities for both countries in the fight against climate change, the treatment of environmental pollution, the management of water resources, healthcare and tourism.

Hungary officially provided ODA to Vietnam in 2004. Though the ODA remains very modest, it has been used for projects that brought in benefits for national development, which is highly valued by Vietnam.

Legislative bodies vow to speed up border demarcation Vietnam and Cambodia are both determined to speed up the planting of markers along the land border between the two countries to finish by 2012 as previously agreed, said legislative officers on both sides.

The agreement was reaffirmed during a meeting in Hanoi on August 21 between Vietnam National Assembly Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien and Nin Saphan, chair of the Cambodian NA’s committee of public works, transport, post and telecommunications, industry, mining, energy, commerce, urbanisation, land management and construction, who is in Vietnam for a working visit from August 16-21.

During the meeting, Chair Nin Saphan conveyed the results of her delegation’s working visits to several ministries and agencies in Vietnam, especially in drafting laws and evaluating enforcement.

Vice Chairman Nguyen Duc Kien complimented the Cambodian people’s achievements in various areas in recent years.

Kien reiterated Vietnam ’s consistent policy of strengthening bilateral relations with Cambodia under the motto: “traditional, friendly neighbourliness and long-term cooperative partnership.”
He thanked the National Assembly, the government and the people of Cambodia for creating favourable conditions for the search, recovery and repatriation of the remains of Vietnamese volunteers who died in Cambodia, as well as conditions for the current overseas Vietnamese to work and do business in the country.

He also called for a continued exchange of experience between the two national assemblies in the coming time.

Lao Deputy PM meets Vietnamese voluntary soldiers Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Douangchay Phichith received in Vientiane on August 21 a delegation of Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts, who fought and worked in Laos.

The Lao Deputy PM said that the Lao army and people continue to honour the great contributions of the Vietnamese volunteers in the struggle for national liberation in the past and national construction and defence at present.

He stressed that statues built all across Laos to memorialise the Vietnam-Laos special fighting alliance will remind future generations of both countries of their special traditional ties.

He stated that annual visits by Vietnamese voluntary soldiers and experts to Laos will help them be mindful of the achievements of devoted and outstanding people from the two nations, which have contributed so much to prosperity at present and in future.

He also related joint efforts underway to complete a compilation of the history of the Vietnam-Laos fighting alliance, describing this as an important event for educating current and future generations in both countries.

Nguyen Quoc Uy, standing member of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Association’s Central Committee, and head of the Vietnamese delegation, expressed the warm sentiments of Vietnamese who served and lived in Laos. He expressed his hope that the special traditional ties between Vietnam and Laos would be constantly developed.
PV