VNA Cultural Heritage Law passed The National Assembly discussed and passed the Law on Cultural Heritage on June 14 by a vote of 86.6% for. The new law consists of seven chapters and 73 articles. In the afternoon, the law-making body heard a government report on draft amendments and supplements to the Labour Code and a Social Insurance Bill. They also heard the National Assembly's Social Affairs Committee report its examination on these bills. The National Assembly, the 10th legislature, is continuing the ninth session at the Conference Hall on June 15. (VNA) **** Germany considers Vietnam priority for assistance The German government will continue its assistance to and co-operation with Vietnam as it considers the country a priority in its development assistance policy. So said German President Johannes Rau while receiving out-going Vietnamese Ambassador Le Kinh Tai in Berlin on June 13. President Rao said he highly valued Vietnam's renovation process in recent years, and said that Germany has attached importance to Vietnam's role in the region, especially in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). Mr Rao went on to say that he was confident in the further development of these ties. Ambassador Tai thanked the German government for their assistance and co-operation over the past years. On the same day, Mr Tai was received by the Governor of Brandenburg state, who said that the two countries have great potential for multi-faceted co-operation, especially in economic development, and that Germany is eager to seek opportunities for investment. (VNA) **** June declared drug control month The prime minister on June 13 decided that June every year will be observed nationwide as the Month for Drug Control and June 26 will be the Day for the Entire Nation to Fight Drug Crimes. The decision also makes it clear that during this month every year the Ministry of Public Security - the executive force of the National Committee for the Control of AIDS, Drug Crimes, and Prostitution - should co-ordinate with other members of the committee and relevant organisations, provinces, and cities to crack down on drug crimes on a national scale. Massive campaigns to encourage the entire society to participate in the control of social vices should be launched on this occasion. The decision came into effect immediately on the signing day. (VNA) **** Workers worldwide should promote solidarity: Trade Union leader Permanent vice president of the Vietnam General Confederation of Labour (VGCL), Nguyen An Luong, has called on workers worldwide to promote solidarity for peace, security, development and social progress. Mr Luong was speaking at the plenary assembly of the 89th meeting of the International Labour Organisation (ILO) in Geneva, Switzerland, on June 12. He said trade union organisations have become more important in socio-economic development in each country and the world, while they face new challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. Mr Luong praised ILO assistance to VCL projects. While in Geneva, Mr Luong had working sessions with senior officials of the ILO and trade union representatives from other countries to discuss measures to boost co-operation in future. (VNA) **** Vietnam-Russia economic ties discussed A workshop on Vietnam-Russia Economic Relations was held in Moscow on June 13 by the Russia-based Vietnam Science-Technology Association's Economic Science Society and the Vietnamese trading group 'TOGI.' Addressing the workshop, Ambassador Ngo Tat To reviewed the Vietnamese Party and State's persistent policy to unceasingly expand and strengthen friendship and economic co-operation with Russia in all fields. Participants in the workshop agreed that trade and investment between Vietnam and Russia have been effective, bringing economic benefits to both sides. While the two governments are making efforts to create good legal corridor, enterprises have to improve their product quality to better compete in the Russian market, thus accelerating the process of debt settlement and increase two-way trade turnover, the participants said. Besides, Vietnamese businesses operating in Russia should actively participate in economic co-operation with Russian counterparts. (VNA) **** Framework Vietnam-France financial deal signed A framework agreement on financial co-operation was signed in Hanoi on June 14, defining the operational forms of Proparco Economic Co-operation Encouragement and Participation Company in Vietnam with the aim of supporting Vietnam's private economic sector. Signatories were deputy governor of the Vietnam State Bank, Duong Thu Huong, and acting president of the Hanoi-based French Development Agency (AFD), Philippe Lecrinier. Under the framework agreement, the financial assistance will be given to projects involved in Vietnam's agriculture, industry, and services. All individuals, private enterprises and enterprises operating in the form of private management will benefit from the framework agreement. Proparco company will grant financial assistance in the form of medium and long-term loans, credits, or the contribution of capital through domestic investment. Earlier, Proparco company provided its first financial assistance to Ho Chi Minh City's telecommunications service in the framework of a business co-operation contract. The AFD has granted more than EUR 246 million (US $222 million) to Vietnam's agriculture, infrastructure, and long-term management of natural resources since 1994. 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