Finland ready to help Vietnam in wide-ranging issues

Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen says his country can provide Vietnam with equipment and technology to tackle environmental problems.

Meeting with Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh in Hanoi on November 16, the Finnish PM affirmed that his country treasures its friendship and wants to increase cooperation with Vietnam to fully tap their potential.

The Finnish PM pointed out that Finland and Vietnam boast conditions to promote joint efforts in a wide range of areas, particularly the forestry sector, in a stable, equal, mutually-beneficial and long-term manner.

Vietnam’s party chief praised Finland’s active role in dealing with international issues and responding to global challenges.

While reiterating the nation’s foreign policy of independence, openness, diversification and multilateralism, the Vietnamese party leader expressed his wish to strengthen and broaden the potential cooperation with Finland, which includes pushing up promotional activities for trade and investment as well as forestry, supporting and facilitating bilateral trade, soon expanding a pilot programme on the exportation of Vietnamese labour to Finland and increasing coordination at international forums.

Seeing National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, the Finnish PM said cooperation in the fight against corruption can be enhanced through parliamentary channels and Finland is willing to share its experience in the field with Vietnam.

He expressed hope that the two countries’ legislative bodies will promote their exchange of law-making experience and work closely in the fields prioritised for bilateral cooperation.

The Finnish PM said while working to raise two-way trade turnover, the two countries can boost collaboration in the areas of information technology, green technology and environmental protection.

For his part, NA Chairman Trong affirmed that Finland’s ODA has been used effectively in Vietnam, especially in poverty reduction programmes, the construction of infrastructure and the development of the ship-building industry.

The NA Chairman brought up other areas in which his country would welcome cooperation and assistance from Finland--education, the environment, and labour-which are the European country’s strengths.

He pledged that the Vietnam NA will step up its monitoring of the implementation of cooperation agreements already signed between the two countries in a bid to create a more favourable legal environment for all foreign investors, including those from Finland.

At his meeting with State Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, the Finnish PM confirmed that his country will continue to support Vietnam in its efforts to step up cooperative relations with the European Union and expressed his belief that Vietnam will perform well as Chair of ASEAN.

He shared with the Vice President’s delight at the growing relationship, particularly in terms of political ties, between the two countries.

Vice President Doan spoke highly of the signing of a memorandum of understanding by the two PMs regarding cooperation on labour and industry policy, a very new and promising area for cooperation.

She stressed that Vietnam is eager to learn from Finland’s experiences and the solutions the country has applied to achieve sustainable developments as well as from their experience in other fields, such as education, gender equality and environmental protection.

Finland to promote cooperation with Vietnam in clean industry

The Finnish Prime Minister Matti Vanhanen said at a Vietnam-Finland business conference on November 17 that he hoped the two countries will give priority to the cooperation in developing clean industry to ensure a balanced development in economics, society and the environment. 

The Finnish PM also reaffirmed his commitment to the European Union agreement on adapting to climate change. He said it needs to be extended to help vulnerable countries like Vietnam.

He pledged to help Vietnam deal with climate change through projects and programmes by developing renewal energy, especially for the Mekong Delta, and green technology and increasing the use of clean measures in industry.

On the same day at an informal meeting with Le Hoang Quan, chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee, Mr. Vanhanen highlighted the role of Ho Chi Minh City in the development of Vietnam over the years. He also expressed a keen interest in finding partners to develop clean industry, apply measures to protect the environment and ensure social security.

Le Hoang Quan said Ho CHi Minh City will make an active contribution to increasing bilateral turnover to US$1 billion in the few years. He hoped the Finnish government will create favourable condition for 5,000 Vietnamese immigrants in Finland.

Finland opened its Consulate General office and the Finland Trade Centre (FinPro) in Ho Chi Minh in May 2009 to penetrate the Vietnamese market.

Vietnam uses energy resources effectively

On the theme “Energy and sustainable development”, the eighth meeting of the Vietnam-France Economic and Financial Forum is being held in Quang Ninh province on November 17-18.

At the meeting, Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai said sustainable development is the common trend in the world and an urgent requirement of Vietnam. The country aims to exploit and use energy resources effectively to supply high quality energy at reasonable prices for socio-economic development, ensure national energy security, diversify investment and trading methods in the field of energy, gradually improve competitiveness in the energy market, strengthen new and recycled energy resources and protect environment. Mr Hai reaffirmed that the Vietnamese Government encourages businesses to use new and recycled energy. He expressed his hope that with experiences in using energy, French experts will help Vietnamese partners to conduct researches into sustainable energy development.

French Ambassador to Vietnam Herve Bolot said it is high time that the two countries strengthened co-operation, discussed long-term strategies, identified basic targets for sustainable energy development and effective use of energy and proposed suitable measures for the 2010-2015 period. Vietnam should devise criteria and mobilise capital for energy production to meet the increasing demands. The two countries will give priority to sustainable development, training and economic and trade expansion, Mr Bolot said.

The forum discussed issues related to the impact of energy policies on CO2 exhaustion, electricity generation and CO2 exhaustion, energy efficiency and economic growth, management policy and capital mobilisation for energy policies. Vietnamese and French experts reported on the results of research into medium and long-term challenges of energy policies, measures to combine economic development with environmental protection and gas exhaustion which causes the greenhouse effect.

According to evaluation reports at the forum, Vietnam’s economy has developed strongly in recent decades, leading to increasing demands for energy. Over the past 20 years, energy consumption has increased by 10.7 times (around 66 billion kWh in 2008). Electric power consumption in Vietnam is still much lower than in other countries over the world, especially in Asia and ASEAN. Vietnam’s energy sector has made significant progress in terms of exploration, exploitation, production, transmiton and distribution. The scale of operations in the coal, electricity and oil industries is now much bigger than 10 years ago, meeting the current requirement for socio-economic development of the country.

PM orders ministries to ensure rice supply

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has instructed the Ministries of Industry and Trade, and Agriculture and Rural Development to monitor rice production and domestic demand to prevent a shortage.
 
He tasked them with ensuring businesses stock a certain quantity of the grain to meet domestic demand for the rest of the year and, especially, during Tet in February.

In related news, the Philippines’ national food agency announced it would call for tenders on December 1 to supply 600,000 tons of 25 percent broken rice.

The Information Center for Agriculture and Rural Development based in Hanoi said November 16 the Philippines wants the rice to be delivered between February and May 2010.

Countries expected to attend the bid are Thailand, Vietnam, China, Pakistan, Australia, and the US.

French, Vietnamese communist parties strengthen ties

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) values the strengthening of ties with the French Communist Party (PCF), thus helping boost friendship and cooperation between the two countries and their peoples.

Ngo Van Du, Secretary of the CPV Central Committee and Chief of the committee’s Office, made the affirmation while receiving a PCF delegation led by Director of the Commission for International Relations Jacques Fath in Hanoi on November 16.

Du thanked the French communists, as well as all the people of France, for their solidarity with and support for Vietnam in its past struggle for independence as well as its current process of national construction and defence.

For his part, Jacques Fath spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements during its renewal process, considering it to be a valuable experience to learn for the PCF and all forces struggling for peace, democracy and socialism in the world.

He expressed his hope that the PCF will further strengthen ties with communist parties, workers and vanguards throughout the world and will continue to do its utmost to tighten its relationship with the CPV, helping to develop friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

During their stay in Vietnam, the French guests held talks with a delegation from the CPV Central Committee’s Commission for External Relations. The two sides discussed measures to consolidate and strengthen cooperation between the two Parties in particular and between the two countries in general.

The French delegation also worked with the Central Theoretical Council and the Vietnam-France Friendship Association and visited Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Quang Ninh and Ba Ria-Vung Tau provinces.

Czech Senate vice chairman visits Vietnam 

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong has expressed his hope that the Czech Republic will continue to cooperate with Vietnam in the areas of its strength and help the Southeast Asian nation boost ties with the European Union.

While receiving vice chairman of the Czech Senate Jiří Liška in Hanoi on November 16, Mr Trong spoke of the long-standing relationship between Vietnam and the Czech Republic which has stood the test of time for years. He noted that cooperative ties have fared well in recent times, but the two countries still have great potential for development. 

He thanked the Czech parliament, government and people for providing official development assistance to Vietnam and creating favourable conditions for Vietnamese nationals to live, study and work in the Czech Republic.

For his part, Jiří Liška praised the role the Vietnamese community in the Czech Republic has played in strengthening bilateral ties. He congratulated the Vietnamese people on their achievements during the Renewal process and affirmed that the Czech Republic attaches great importance to developing cooperative bonds with Vietnam. In addition to economic links, he said the two countries should increase cooperation in education and training.

He said he hopes that Czech businesses who are accompanying him will establish partnerships with their Vietnamese counterparts.

The same day, Jiří Liška held working sessions with leaders of the NA Committee for Science, Technology and the Environment and the NA Committee for Social Affairs. They shared information and experiences in treating waste, supplying safe water, increasing forest coverage and conserving energy.

During his stay from November 15-23, Jiří Liška will also work with leaders of some other Vietnamese ministries and visit Thua Thien-Hue and Quang Binh provinces and HCM City. 

Party leader affirms close ties with RoK

Vietnam attaches great importance to developing the strategic cooperation relationship with the Republic of Korea, for the sake of prosperity in each country and for peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh made the statement while receiving the Speaker of the RoK National Assembly, Kim Hyong O in Hanoi on November 16.

He praised the two legislative bodies’ role in creating legal frameworks for the development of their respective countries as well as bilateral ties. He said he believes that the two bodies will increase the exchange of friendly visits and share experience and information to promote cooperation.

Meanwhile, Mr Kim affirmed that the RoK will do its utmost to lift the strategic cooperation relationship between the two countries to a new plane.

He congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements during the Renewal and international integration process and briefed Mr Manh on the results of his talks with Chairman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong.

He expressed his belief that Vietnamese people will overcome the consequences of natural disasters and the global economic recession to move forward and successfully build an industrial nation by 2020. 

The same day, the RoK National Assembly speaker was received by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung who noted that the RoK is now one of Vietnam’s leading trade partners. He said the two countries have great potential for cooperation and they should fully exploit it for the development of their respective countries.

The Vietnamese Government will create the best possible conditions for RoK businesses to operate efficiently in the country, Mr Dung assured the visiting RoK Speaker.

He proposed that the RoK promote vocational training and teaching of the Korean language for Vietnamese nationals who are working in the Rok or at RoK-invested companies in Vietnam. He also proposed that the two countries increase cooperation in national defence and security and that the RoK increase its ODA to Vietnam’s key projects.

Speaker Kim acknowledged Mr Dung’s proposals and said both countries should increase the exchange of high-level visits to foster bilateral ties not only in politics but also in other areas. 

He said he hopes Vietnam will help the RoK develop ties with other countries in Southeast Asia.

Mr Kim is on an official visit to Vietnam from November 14-18 at the invitation of his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong.

President Triet begins visit to Singapore

President Nguyen Minh Triet and his wife on November 16, began a two-day State visit to Singapore at the invitation of his Singaporean counterpart Sellapan Rama Nathan. 

Mr Triet is accompanied by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Director of the State President’s Office Nguyen Van Chien, Minister of Industry and Trade Vu Huy Hoang, Minister of Finance Vu Van Ninh,  Vietnamese Ambassador in Singapore Nguyen Trung Thanh, Deputy Foreign Minister Dao Viet Trung, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Hong Truong, Deputy Minister of Education and Training Nguyen Thi Nghia, Deputy of Planning and Investment Dang Huy Dong and several other top officials.

Earlier on November 15, the President and his wife visited staff working at the Vietnamese Embassy in Singapore.

Vietnam actively joins APEC activities, says Deputy PM 

A Vietnamese delegation led by State President Nguyen Minh Triet has actively participated in all activities of the 17th APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM), contributing to the success of the meeting.

Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem stated this while granting an interview to Vietnamese reporters in Singapore on November 15.

He added that State President Nguyen Minh Triet was one of the six leaders invited to deliver a speech at the APEC CEO Summit.

“We have shared our experiences in coping with the negative impact of the world economic-financial crisis and made specific proposals on strengthening member countries’ coordination in policy and action in order to ensure the economic recovery, continue boosting investment and trade, and implement Bogor objectives,” Mr Khiem said.

According to the Deputy PM, the Vietnamese delegation also put forth practical recommendations on enhancing cooperation within APEC and suggested APEC members to join efforts to ensure the success of the Copenhagen Climate Summit.

Vietnam’s proposals emphasised technology transfer and assistance to developing members in developing clean energy, reducing climate change impact and preventing natural disasters.

Khiem said that APEC members spoke highly of Vietnam ’s recommendations on capacity improvement, human resource development, assistance for small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), food security, fighting against trade protection and discriminations in trade and investment as well as narrowing the development gap.

“We contributed many ideas to the APEC reform in the direction of improving the efficiency of the coordination between APEC and international organisations and economic institutions as well as inter-regional and subregional mechanisms and promoting ASEAN’s connection programmes,” he said.

President Triet had many bilateral meetings with APEC leaders to boost bilateral cooperation as well as cooperation in the framework of the APEC Forum, he said, adding that APEC leaders affirmed support for and their willingness to coordinate with Vietnam when the country assumes its role as the ASEAN Chair in 2010.

The 17th AELM took place at a time when APEC was celebrating its 20th founding anniversary and its member economies were trying their best to weather the global economic-financial crisis and to improve the forum’s position and role.

In that context, the meeting achieved important outcomes. First, the APEC leaders adopted a joint declaration on “Sustaining growth, Connecting the region” and a statement on “ A new growth paradigm for a connected Asia-Pacific in the 21st century,” reflecting the strong resolve to maintain growth and prepare for the post-recovery period.

The leaders agreed to join efforts towards a comprehensive, sustainable and balanced growth policy, support global endeavours, including the directions put forth at the G-20 Summit, and highlighted the importance of enhancing regional connectivity.

Dialogues with representatives from over 800 regional leading corporations at the annual APEC CEO Summit and the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) increased awareness of the need for close coordination between businesses and governments to implement the directions regarding economic development and regional connectivity.

Second, the APEC leaders emphasised the need to keep markets open, refrain from creating new barriers to trade and investment, resist protectionism in all forms and work together for the aim of concluding the Doha round of negotiations in 2010.

Third, the APEC leaders pointed to economic and technological cooperation and human security as the main pillars of the APEC cooperation framework.

Fourth, the APEC leaders were committed to take more reform measures in a move to improve the operation efficiency of APEC and ensure that APEC remains a leading economic and trade forum in the region.

Deputy PM Khiem added that the first conference of leaders from 10 ASEAN member countries and the US President was held on the sidelines of the 17th AELM. The leaders agreed upon directions to strengthen the partnership between ASEAN and the US in the years to come.

“We believe that the APEC, which accounts more than 50 percent of global GDP and 57 percent of global trade, will remain a growth momentum for the regional economy and participate actively in rebuilding the world economy, helping to tackle global challenges and affirming APEC’s growing role in the world,” the deputy PM stressed.

PV