[Vietnamization] Vietnam, Cambodia promote cooperative ties

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc (R) and his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen

 Vietnam, Cambodia promote cooperative ties

Vietnam Net Bridge | 27 October 2016

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc discussed ways to promote cooperative ties between Vietnam and Cambodia in both regional and bilateral frameworks during a working breakfast with his Cambodian counterpart Hun Sen in Hanoi on October 26.

 

The PMs also talked about measures to implement agreements signed between the two countries, and mapped out orientations for strengthening bilateral partnership in the time ahead. 

They agreed to assigned their relevant ministries and sectors to coordinate in carrying out the measures to bolster cooperation in investment, trade, agriculture, among others.

 

NA Chairwoman supports judicial cooperation with Italy

Italian Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando (L) and Jusice Minister Ha Hung Cuong 

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expressed wish to acquire Italy’s judicial experience during a reception in Hanoi on October 26 for Italian Minister of Justice Andrea Orlando. 

Speaking highly of the signing of a memorandum of understanding on cooperation between the two ministries, Ngan affirmed that the Vietnamese legislature supports the strengthening of comprehensive ties between the two justice ministries. 

She expressed thanks to Italian government and legislature for approving the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (PCA) between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) in March, saying that the PCA and Vietnam-EU free trade agreements will give greater leverage for economic, trade and investment ties between the two nations. 

The host informed the Italian Minister that the 14 th NA’s ongoing second session will discuss and adopt a number of important bills, including the Law on amendment and supplement of several articles of the Criminal Code. 

Orlando, for his part, described Vietnam as Italy’s important partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), and stressed that Italy wishes to expand ties with Vietnam in the fields of infrastructure and transport, as well as increase Italian investors’ presence in Vietnam. 

He said the Italian government backs Vietnam’s underway international economic integration policies. 

The two countries are striving to lift two-way trade to 5 billion USD from 4.3 billion USD in 2015.

Revisions to Penal Code under debate at NA’s plenary meeting

The draft law amending and supplementing some articles of the Penal Code No. 100/2015/QH13 was under debate at the plenary meeting of the National Assembly on October 26. 

Under the chair of NA Vice Chairman Uong Chu Luu, the discussion focused on the scope of amendment to the code, the scope of criminal responsibility of children aged from full 14 to under 16, criminal liability of commercial legal persons and the addition of new addictive substances and plants to the code. 

Attention was also paid to proposals on the amending some articles on crime preparation, hiding a criminal and failure to report criminals, along with the elimination or supplementation of certain crimes. 

Deputies also considered the suitable time to submit the draft law to the NA for approval. 

Minister of Justice Le Thanh Long gave explanations on issues related to the draft Law. 

On October 27, the deputies will hear a report verifying the draft Law on Foreign Trade Management, the draft Law on Legal Assistance (revised), the Law on State Compensation Liability Law (revised). In the afternoon, deputies will discuss the draft Laws in groups.-

VN, Belarus enjoy co-operation potential

Co-operation in trade and investment between Việt Nam and Belarus is enjoying ample opportunities brought about by the free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union which took effect earlier this month.

The relationship between the two countries in economy, trade and investment remained restricted and far from the political one, agreed Deputy PM Trịnh Đình Dũng and his visiting Belarus counterpart Vladimir Semashko in Hà Nội yesterday.

Despite a 14 per cent increase in 2015 compared to the previous year, two-way trade reached only US$125 million.

Additionally, Deputy PM Semashko said leaders from both sides were particularly concerned about strengthening co-operation, especially in energy, machine manufacturing, automobile, education and training.

Belarus said specialised bodies from both countries should closely work together to remove obstacles and shortcomings, and to soon increase bilateral trade to $500 million annually.

In the coming time, big enterprises from Belarus, including manufacturers of mechanical products, energy, automobile, machinery, and rubber would come to Việt Nam to seek co-operation as well as investment opportunities.

Deputy PM Dũng said Belarus should facilitate Vietnamese goods entering the country’s market, particularly farm produce.