NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien (fourth from left) holds talks with Chairperson of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Matti Vanhanen(third from right) (Photo: VNA)
Helsinki (VNA) – A delegation from the National Assembly of Vietnam paid a working visit to Fi✤nland from September 18-21 tಌo deepen legislative relations.
At a meeting with Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Maria Lohela, NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien suggested the two sides continue high-level delegation exchanges and coordination at international forums.
Vietnam is willing to boost cooperation between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and the European Union, including Finland, he said.
He said that two-way trade topped 322 million USD in 2015, a year-on-year rise of 22.6 percent, and Finland ’s direct investment in Vietnam stood at 321 million USD.
Both nations should encourage businesses to explore cooperation opportunities, especially in education, the environment, information technology, telecommunication, agriculture, forestry, green technology and renewable energy, he recommended.
The Vietnamese Government and NA will create favourable laws for European enterprises and Finnish firms to invest in Vietnam , he affirmed, saying that Vietnam has signed 10 free trade agreements and is preparing to ratify the Trans-Pacific Partnership.
He thanked the Finnish Government for providing Vietnam with official development assistance, focusing on poverty reduction, water drainage and climate change adaptation.
Maria Lohela congratulated Vietnam on the successful organisation of the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) in March 2015, and said Finland is ready to expand partnerships with Vietnam in various fields, particularly economics, trade and people-to-people exchanges.
While working with Chairperson of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Matti Vanhanen, the Vietnamese legislator suggested the two sides increase exchanges on parliamentary activities.
The host said with a young population of about 90 million, Vietnam is positioned to develop its economy and attract investment.-VNA
The Vietnamese and Finnish governments on March 6 signed an 11 million EUR agreement for the second phase of their joint innovation partnership programme (IPP).
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST) and the Finnish Embassy in Vietnam jointly held a ceremony in Hanoi on December 12 to launch the second phase of the Vietnam-Finland Innovation Programme.
The management board of the Finland-Vietnam Innovation Partnership Programme (IPP) stage two held a conference in Hanoi on October 1 to collect opinions on the future strategy of the programme.
A memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation in information technology, especially in information security, between Finland and Vietnam was signed on March 7.
Discussions to develop educational affiliation between Vietnam and Finland are necessary, Minister of Education and Training Pham Vu Luan said at a forum held in Hanoi on March 7.
The Ministry of Science and Technology and the Finnish Funding Agency for Technology and Innovations on March 8 signed a MoU on boosting the two countries’ cooperation in science and technology.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
NA Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien (fourth from left) holds talks with Chairperson of the Finnish Parliament’s Foreign Affairs Committee Matti Vanhanen(third from right) (Photo: VNA)
