ANNOUNCEMENT

+ The Grand Duke of Luxembourg will be visiting Vietnam from 15th to 18th February 2009.

At the invitation of President Nguyen Minh Triet, the Grand Duke of Luxembourg Henry will make an official visit to Viet Nam from 15th to 18th of this month. This is his first visit to Vietnam as the Head of Luxembourg State. (In November 1995, he visited Vietnam in the position as the Hereditary Grand Duke)

This visit aims to enhance the traditional friendship and cooperation between the two countries. The two sides will exchange views on the directions and concrete measures to promote the cooperation between the two countries in various fields, especially in economics, trade, investment, finance and development cooperation. This visit will also help strengthen the relations between Viet Nam and the European Union.

 + Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung will pay an official visit to the United Arab Emirates between 15th and 18th February 2009

At the invitation of Vice President and Prime Minister of United Arab Emirates (UAE), Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vietnamese Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dzung will pay an official visit to the UAE between 15th and 18th this month. This is the first visit of a Vietnamese Prime Minister to UAE since the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries.

The goal of this visit is to further strengthen, expand and deepen the friendship and multi-faceted cooperation between Viet Nam and the UAE; create a breakthrough in the economic, investment and trade ties, and promote cooperation in areas where the two countries have potentials and needs such as energy, labour, finance, banking and agriculture; sign documents to facilitate investment and business between Viet Nam and the UAE; and enhance the bilateral cooperation and coordination in regional and international fora.

+ His Imperial Highness Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito will make an official visit to Viet Nam from 9th to 15th February 2009.

At the invitation of Vice President Nguyen Thi Doan, His Imperial Highness Crown Prince of Japan Naruhito will make an official visit to Viet Nam from 9th to 15th this month.

This visit aims to build a fine relationship between the Imperial Family of Japan and the leadership of Viet Nam, and lift the relations between the countries to a new plane towards a strategic partnership. This is also an opportunity for the Japanese Crown Prince to learn more about the country, people, and cultural and historical traditions of Viet Nam.

Viet Nam and Japan have enjoyed very good relations in many areas since the establishment of diplomatic ties 35 years ago. Japan is Viet Nam’s most important economic partner. Last year, the two countries concluded Viet Nam - Japan Economic Partnership Agreement and co-organised many political, economic and cultural events to celebrate the 35th year of diplomatic ties.

Question and Answer:

1. Q: On 2 February 2009, the House of Representatives of the Philippines approved the Bill HB 3216 on the new baseline that includes some islands of Spratley archipelago and Scarborough Shoal. Earlier, on 27 January 2009, the Philippino Senate passed the Bill SB 2699 that does not include these islands in the baseline and accordingly these islands are managed under the “regime of islands” as enshrined in Article 121 of the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea. What is the reaction of Vietnam on this?

A:
Vietnam’s position on Paracel and Spratley archipelagos is very clear.

We are of the view that while seeking a fundamental and long-term solution to the disputes over these archipelagos, the parties concerned should observe the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea (DOC) and refrain from taking actions to complicate the situation, contributing to maitaining peace and stability in the region.

2. Q: Please give us Vietnam’s opinion on the news that Japan will soon resume ODA to Vietnam?

A:
We have not yet received any official information on Japan’s decision to resume ODA to VN.

     But if proven true, it is a very encouraging signal. It reflects the results of close cooperation between the two Governments to come up with measures to prevent corruption in Japan’s ODA projects in Vietnam. We hope that Japan will soon announce its decision to resume ODA to Vietnam.
   
With regard to the cooperation between the two countries, on December, 2008, the second meeting of Vietnam-Japan Joint Committee on Preventing Corruption in Japan’s ODA projects was held in Hanoi to discuss issues relating to preventing corruption in Japan’s ODA projects. At this meeting, both sides drafted a report on measures against corruption and the ways to improve the effectiveness of Japan’s ODA projects in Vietnam. This report is being considered by the two Governments.

After the measures are approved, the two sides will implement them to prevent and fight against corruption and raise the effectiveness of Japan’s ODA projects in Vietnam.

3. Q:  When will land border - demarcation between Vietnam and China be celebrated?

A:  The celebration of land - border demarcation between the two countries will be held at the end of February at the Huu Nghi – Huu Nghi Quan border gate. We are now cooperating very closely with the Chinese side in preparing for this event.