VNA
NA approves Vietnam-US trade agreement Vietnam's National Assembly on Wednesday, November 28, passed a resolution ratifying the Vietnam-US bilateral trade agreement (BTA). The resolution won 278 votes in favour, representing 64.3% of total NA deputies, with 85 votes against (19.6%), and 17 abstentions (3.9%). "Vietnam establishes its trade relations with the United States on the principles of respect for independence, sovereignty, non-intervention into each other's internal affairs, equality and mutual benefits without enclosed conditions," states the resolution. It also states: "The agreement meets the aspiration of two peoples, ushering in a new stage of bilateral relations. The approval of the agreement again affirms Vietnam's foreign policy of openness, multilateralisation, diversification, active integration, and its willingness for equal and mutually-beneficial co-operation with all nations for peace and development." The resolution also points to what actions should be taken by the National Assembly, the government, legislative agencies, entrepreneurs and the Vietnamese people in a bid to quickly adapt to the agreement, implement it in the most effective way, and be actively involved in the world economic market. The NA deputies, in the morning of November 28, under the chairmanship of NA Deputy Chairman Mai Thuc Lan, continued to discuss the implementation of socio-economic tasks and the State budget in 2001; the orientations, tasks and estimated budget for 2002; the general balance of the State budget in 2000 and the five-year 2001-2005 socio-economic development plan. (VNA) **** Trade agreement will benefit both countries: trade minister The Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement will bring benefits to both countries, thus contributing to developing relations between the US and ASEAN and APEC member countries, countries in the Asian-Pacific region, and the world. Trade Minister Vu Khoan made this statement at a press conference held in Hanoi on the afternoon of November 28, by the National Assembly's Committee for External Relations and the Trade Ministry. The briefing was conducted immediately after the Vietnamese National Assembly's approval of a resolution ratifying the Vietnam-US Bilateral Trade Agreement (BTA). Minister Khoan said that the agreement would benefit both countries as long as principles of respect for national independence, sovereignty, non-intervention into internal affairs, and the separation of commercial from political issues are upheld. Chairman of the National Assembly's External Relations Committee Do Van Tai, who co-sponsored the press conference, said that immediately after the Vietnam-US BTA was passed, it drew keen interest and attention from the Vietnamese people and business community, who wished for early approval of the agreement. Over the past several months, Vietnam's National Assembly and government have worked together to prepare for approval by the National Assembly, Mr Tai said. He added that the passing of a resolution to ratify the agreement by the National Assembly reflected the Vietnamese people's attitude towards the Vietnam-US trade agreement. Enforcement of the agreement will meet the aspirations of both nations, helping to strengthen Vietnam-US friendship and open up prospects for developing future trade co-operation between the two countries. Minister Khoan and Chairman Tai answered questions from local reporters and foreign correspondents on the prospect of trade development between the two countries, the immediate actions of the Vietnamese government once the BTA becomes effective, the normalisation of the two countries' relations, and advantages that Vietnam will enjoy from the ratified BTA in the context of negotiations to join the World Trade Organisation. Discussing the government's first steps following the ratification of the BTA, Minister Khoan said the National Assembly had instructed the government to spread the agreement to businesses and people nationwide; to map out a programme to adjust legal documents serving the implementation of the BTA; to garner information on related laws to present to local businesses; and to implement plans to increase the competitiveness of locally-made goods and enhance human resources training. All these steps are intended to successfully implement the agreement, the minister said. The Minister said that Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung will lead a Vietnamese government delegation and about 100 business people to visit the United States and explore the US market and business opportunities. "Two-way trade between Vietnam and the US will likely surge after the BTA takes effect and Vietnam's textile and garment exports will enjoy US most favoured nation status (MFN)," Mr Khoan told reporters. However, he pointed out, some National Assembly deputies have voiced their concern over the erroneous actions taken by the US House of Representatives in the period leading up to Vietnam's approval of the trade pact. The House passed the Vietnam Human Rights Act and a bill preventing Vietnam from exporting Basa and Tra catfish from the Mekong delta to the US. The trade minister stressed that this concern has had an impact on the vote to ratify the Vietnam-US trade agreement. Many deputies voted against the agreement. Of the 380 NA deputies balloting, 278 voted for, 85 voted against, and the remaining 17 abstained. (VNA) **** President returns from Cambodian visit President Tran Duc Luong and his entourage returned home on November 28 from Cambodia where they had paid a three-day official visit. During their stay in Cambodia, President Luong met with King Norodom Sihanouk, Senate Chairman Samdech Chea Sim, National Assembly President Prince Norodom Ranariddh, and Prime Minister Hun Sen. He toured a number of historical, cultural and medical sites in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap province. Before leaving Siem Reap province, President Luong met with accompanying members of the Vietnamese media. He stressed the shared determination and agreement of the two countries' leaders and people to further strengthen multi-faceted co-operative relations, not only within the framework of bilateral co-operation, but also within the context of co-operation between Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, in the Mekong sub-region, and among ASEAN countries. On this occasion, the two countries issued a joint declaration on bilateral co-operation and signed an agreement on investment promotion; an agreement on goods exchange and trade services along the Vietnam-Cambodia border; and an agreement on co-operation between the two foreign ministries. (VNA) **** German parliamentary president to visit Vietnam Germany's Parliamentary President Wolfgang Thierse will pay an official visit to Vietnam from December 2-6, announced the National Assembly Office. The November 28 communique further said that the visit will be made at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An. (VNA) **** Vietnam, an important partner: Singapore FM The Singaporean government considers Vietnam an important partner in the region and it will take concrete measures to boost relations of mutual benefit with Vietnam. Singaporean Foreign Minister Shunmugan Jayakumar made the statement during talks with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien in Hanoi on November 28. He is on a working visit to Vietnam from November 28-30. Foreign Minister Jayakumar expressed appreciation for the achievements of the Vietnamese people in the renovation process, particularly in maintaining political stability and developing the economy. He said these achievements have helped raise the country's role and position in the regional and international arena. Foreign Minister Nien described the Singaporean foreign minister's visit as an indication of the Singaporean government's policy to attach importance to and consolidate and strengthen its friendly and comprehensive co-operation with Vietnam. The two ministers exchanged views on issues relating to bilateral co-operation, multilateral co-operation among ASEAN countries, and regional and international issues of mutual concern. They noted with satisfaction the development of friendly and co-operative ties between the two countries, especially in economics, trade, and investment. The two foreign ministers witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Vietnam-Singapore Training Centre in Hanoi. The move was a vivid example of the Singaporean government's co-operation in helping Vietnam develop human resources and integrate into the region and the world. (VNA) **** Deputy PM thanks Japan for assistance Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung thanked the Japanese government and people for their "great, timely, and effective assistance" to Vietnam's economic reforms over the past ten years. He was addressing a ceremony held in Hanoi on November 28, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Vietnam-Japan official development assistance (ODA). The deputy prime minister said that, with a vision towards the future, the Japanese government has granted Vietnam JPY 741 billion over the past 10 years, accounting for nearly 40% of the ODA pledged to Vietnam by the international community and becoming Vietnam's largest donor. The Japanese government's provision of non-refundable aid to Ho Chi Minh City's Cho Ray hospital in 1991 marked the resumption of the Japanese government's ODA to Vietnam. One year later, Japan signed an agreement to provide preferential credit worth JPY 45.5 billion to Vietnam. Japanese-assisted programmes and projects in Vietnam over the past decade have focused on developing socio-economic infrastructure, contributing to economic growth, settling urgent social problems, and reducing poverty in Vietnam. Deputy Prime Minister Dung expressed the Vietnamese government and people's wish to receive continued support and assistance from Japan in the coming years when Vietnam will continue to accelerate its process of renovation and actively integrate into the world economy. He affirmed that the Vietnamese government will take more measures to use donations from the international community and Japan effectively, and that the government will develop the friendship and co-operation between the two governments in the interests of both countries and for stability and development in the region and the world. (VNA) **** Vietnam places high value on Russian help: General Quang A senior military officer said that Vietnam's people and army always bear in mind the profound sentiments and major assistance given by the people and army of the former Soviet Union, and now Russia. Senior Lieutenant General Tran Van Quang, president of the Vietnam Veterans' Association (VVA), made the statement at a working session on November 28 with General Govorov V. Leonidovich, president of the Russian Veterans Committee (RVC). General Leonidovich, who is a Soviet hero and also vice-president of the World Veterans Federation (WVF), is leading an RVC delegation on a week-long visit to Vietnam, beginning November 27. The two parties also exchanged views on the organisation and operation of their respective veterans organisations and noted with satisfaction that relations between the two countries, armies, and veterans organisations have been developed in line with the strategic partnership statement between Vietnam and Russia. President Leonidovich and his entourage were received this afternoon by Senior Lieutenant General Pham Van Tra, defence minister. (VNA) _________________________________________________ KOMINFORM P.O. 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