1. Chairman of Vietnamese National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong to visit China from 8-15/4/2007:

At the invitation of Chairman of the Standing Committee of Chinese National People’s Congress Wu Bangguo, Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong will visit China from 8-15 April 2007.

The visit is aimed at strengthening the relation of friendship and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China and exchanging experiences on the operations of the legislative bodies of the two countries.

At the invitation of Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem, Cuban Foreign Minister Felipe Perez Roque will visit Vietnam from 13-15 April 2007.

The visit aims to intensify the fine traditional friendship, solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba, exchange views on measures to promote the cooperation between the two countries in general and between the two Foreign Ministries in particular.

1. AP Question:Please provide Vietnam’s comment on the writing of U.S Ambassador Michael Marine about some elements who were handled by Vietnamese authorized agencies recently?

The relationship between Vietnam and the U.S has witnessed important progress toward building a constructive partnership, friendship, multifaceted cooperation on the basis of equality, mutual respect and mutual benefit. These positive developments have brought about pratical benefits to the two peoples.

Vietnam is always willing to hold dialogues with the U.S about issues of concern. The two countries share mutual interest in developing the bilateral cooperation on a broad, stable and effective base and should not let differences affect development of bilateral relationship in various fields. The two sides also have frank discussion on their differences including human rights and religious issues.

The State of Vietnam always respects the rights to freedom and democracy. Every citizen has the right to express his opinions for the country’s development. In Vietnam, no one is arrested on the ground of political views or religion; only those who violate laws are handled with in accordance with Vietnamese laws.

Recently, some elements have taken advantage of Vietnam’s policies and regulations on freedom and democracy to violate laws and undermine security, social order and stability. Like other countries, within the framework of a law-governed state, all legal violations must be dealt with in accordance with the law. This is a normal action conforming to Vietnamese and international laws.

The trial of Nguyen Van Ly and several others is aimed at ensuring the strictness and fairness of the rul of law state, promoting democracy, protecting human rights and enforcing the Vietnamese laws.

Vietnam requests the United States to adopt a comprehensive approach of democracy and human rights issues in Vietnam against Vietnam’s historical background with respect for Vietnam’s economic, cultural and social characteristics and in the spirit of cooperation and mutual understanding so as not to let the issues affect current fine developments in the two countries’ relations.

Viet Nam supports the Federation of Russia's early admission into the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and holds the view that will not request bilateral negotiations on Russia’s joining the WTO.

Recently, from April 1-3, a delegation from the Russian Trade Ministry visited Viet Nam and discussed with their Vietnamese counterparts some outstanding issues in the two countries' trade and economic ties, particularly tariff and non-tariff barriers that hinder Vietnamese businesses' access to the Russian market. The meeting yielded positive results, basically meeting both sides' expectations. The two sides also pledged to address several remaining technical issues in order to reach an overall agreement as soon as possible.

Viet Nam hopes to enhance economic and trade cooperation with Russia within the framework of the Vietnam-Russia traditional friendship and strategic partnership./.