Key leaders’ missions deliver sterling results

Top Vietnamese and Cambodian leaders commit to building a common framework of peace,
friendship and cooperation

During his official visit to Cambodia from December 6-8, Vietnam Communist Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong and Cambodian leaders shared their common interest in doubling the two countries’ two-way trade turnover to $5 billion over the next five years.

Projections for this year are for $2.5 billion. Measures discussed include plans to encourage the two nations’ enterprises to place projects in border areas, and especially in the development triangle between Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia (see related stories on page 4).

The two sides also agreed to label 2012 “Vietnam-Cambodia Friendship Year” – a year which marks the 45th anniversary of the two countries’ diplomatic relationship. The leaders pledged to efficiently implement border treaties, agreements and pacts between the two nations along with accelerating land border demarcation and marker planting.

They also  vowed to build a common framework of peace, friendship, cooperation and sustainable development. Meanwhile, National Assembly chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s visits to the European Parliament, Belgium and the UK have also borne fruit.

During Hung’s visit to the European Parliament he asked the President of the European Council Herman Van Rompuy to continue supporting the EU-Vietnam relations and assist Vietnam in the country’s socio-economic development.

Hung also witnessed the signing of a financial agreement for a programme of supporting policies for Vietnam’s health care sector between European Commission (EC) and Vietnam’s government representatives. Under the agreement, the EC will grant €40 million ($53.2 million) to Vietnam to help formulate health care sector policies.

Hung also met with Belgian Chamber of representative André Flahaut and President of Belgium’s Senate Sabine de Bethune to agree to boost exchanges of diplomatic delegations between the two law-making bodies. He also called for more European investment into Vietnam at the Belgian-Vietnamese Business Forum.

Meanwhile, Hung’s first official working visit to the United Kingdom culminated in a meeting with British Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg who affirmed that his government would continue giving official development assistance to Vietnam. The two nations also inked an agreement on educational cooperation, and vowed to expand bilateral cooperation in the economic, commercial, investment, cultural and climate change sectors.

“Hung’s visit to the UK was the most senior level visit from Vietnam, following the signing of the Strategic Partnership in 2010. Meanwhile, in the UK we have taken forward high level discussion to develop and grow the trade and investment relationship between our two countries. Other areas of potential cooperation are trade, investment, energy, education, culture and sports,” said British ambassador to Vietnam Antony Stokes.

While in the UK, Hung also met with representatives of many private companies, particularly in the financial services sector where London is the leading global centre.