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Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha (R) and his Czech counterpart Richard Brabec (Photo: VNA) Prague (VNA) – Vietnam and the Czech Republic will enhance environmental collaboration under an action plan for cooperation during 2020-2025 signed between Minister of Natural Resources and Environment Tran Hong Ha and his Czech counterpart Richard Brabec in Prague on December 13. At the event, the two ministers spoke highly of the unceasingly consolidated traditional friendship between the two nations, describing it as a foundation for the environment ministries and sectors of both sides to boost cooperation in this field. Ha highlighted that the signing of the action plan, implementation of the Memorandum of Understanding signed between the two ministries in 2012 and the Vietnam-Czech environmental business forum will serve as a base for competent authorities of both sides to concretise cooperative activities in environment, climate change and technology … [Read more...] about Vietnam, Czech Republic step up environmental cooperation

New Zealand’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Trevor Mallard presented a gift to Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc at their meeting in Auckland on March 13. (Photo: VNA) Auckland (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc had a meeting with New Zealand’s Speaker of the House of Representatives Trevor Mallard on March 13 during which both leaders agreed that the two countries’ legislations should maintain traditional cooperation and close coordination at international and regional parliamentary forums. PM Phuc and Speaker Mallard expressed their delight at the development of Vietnam – New Zealand relations in recent years, notably the two-way trade which is likely to hit 1.7–2 billion USD in 2020. They agreed to soon upgrade the bilateral ties to the level of Strategic Partnership and held that the two nations must step up practical and specific measures to boost cooperation in the fields of trade, investment, tourism, aviation connectivity and … [Read more...] about PM Phuc meets New Zealand Speaker of House of Representatives

Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull. (Photo: AFP/VNA) Sydney (VNA) – Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull on March 17 announced Australia will provide an investment of 30 million AUD (23.4 million USD) to support “smart cities” in Southeast Asia. Australian Economist Intelligence Unit (EIU) named Melbourne the world’s most livable city in 2017 for a seventh consecutive year while Perth and Adelaide always made to the Top 10, said Turnbull during his keynote address in a special conference with 10 ASEAN member country leaders on the sidelines of the ASEAN-Australia Special Summit. However, some ASEAN cities, such as Indonesia’s Jakarta, the Philippines’ Manila, and Thailand’s Bangkok were ranked near the bottom of the list, he added. Modern cities today are applying many advanced technologies like touchscreen, e-commerce and digital currencies designed to be compatible in different countries, the leader said, citing Singapore as … [Read more...] about Australia announces 23.4 mln USD fund for ASEAN’s smart cities

State President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse have left Ha Noi to start their State visit to Japan from May 29-June 2, 2018. State President Tran Dai Quang and his spouse have left Ha Noi to start their State visit to Japan from May 29-June 2, 2018 - Photo: VNA In 2018, Viet Nam and Japan are celebrating the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties. The two nations’ high-ranking leaders have organized visits and exchanges at international and regional forums, launching crucial cooperative mechanisms and enhancing close coordination at multi-lateral forums such as the UN, ASEAN, APEC and ASEM. Japan is one of Viet Nam’s key economic partners. In 2017, the countries' two-way trade value reached US$33.4 billion, up 16.8% against the previous year. Japan has taken the lead among nations and territories investing in Viet Nam with US$9.11 billion. As of March 2018, Japan has poured US$49.839 billion in 3,693 valid FDI projects in Viet Nam, ranking second. Japan is … [Read more...] about State President starts State visit to Japan

London stocks and the British pound jumped Friday after an election triumph for Conservative Prime Minister Boris Johnson that analysts said will bring clarity to Brexit proceedings and unlock stronger economic growth. Other European stock markets -- although lagging buoyant London, which rose over two percent at one point -- also powered ahead, supported by confirmation of a partial trade deal between the United States and China. However, Wall Street's rally petered out, with American equities finishing little changed on the day both Beijing and Washington finally said they were on the same page. Stocks had rallied Thursday in anticipation of the trade deal with China, but then declined when the pact was announced. "You got a pretty good example of 'buy the rumors and sell the news,'" Art Hogan of National Holdings told AFP, referencing the saying indicating equities rise more in anticipation of an event than after the event itself. "But it's certainly great news on Brexit … [Read more...] about European stocks surge on Johnson election triumph, US trade deal