The National Assembly (NA) Committee for Economic Affairs and Budget has examined reports on the implementation of socio-economic tasks in 2006, the State budgets for 2006 and 2007, and the Law on Thrift Practice and Wastefulness Prevention and the plan for socio-economic development in 2007.

The Vietnam, India inter-governmental committee on economic, trade and science and technology cooperation held its 13th meeting in New Delhi on February 27.

India considers Vietnam a key partner in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and in its "Look East" policy, emphasised Indian Minister of External Affairs Pranab Mukherjee.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has mandated the Vietnam News Agency (VNA) to co-sponsor a forum on regional integration and Vietnam's modernisation process.

Speaking to reporters about the election of candidates to the 12th National Assembly, vice president and general secretary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF)’s Central Committee, Huynh Dam, emphasized that everybody has the right to stand for election. They can be mobilized but cannot be forced to do against their will. The VFF will create an equal opportunity for all candidates to contact voters and present their action plans.

Speaking at the Vietnam-Cambodia business forum, State President Nguyen Minh Triet called on Vietnamese entrepreneurs to increase cooperation and investment with Cambodian counterparts in the spirit of ensuring economic efficiency and helping Cambodia rapidly reduce poverty.

Ambassador Le Luong Minh, head of Vietnam's permanent mission to the United Nations, affirmed Vietnam's support for UN peacekeeping operations and shared common concern to ensure the success of missions and the safety of peacekeeping personnel.

Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung has asked the northern mountainous province of Thai Nguyen to take full advantage of organising the tourism year to develop its tourism sector and contribute to improving local people's lives, while introducing Vietnamese history and culture to the world.

India attaches importance to the development of relations with Vietnam, affirmed Indian senior government officials.

Vietnam attaches importance to strengthening relations with neighbouring and regional countries, including Cambodia, said Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet during talks with Cambodian King Norodom Sihamoni in Phnom Penh on February 27.

The national conference on ideological and cultural work concluded in Hanoi on February 27 after a two-day sitting. Delegates focused on discussing implementation of major tasks for 2007 to bring Party resolutions to life.

Vice President and General Secretary of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee Huynh Dam has praised the press’ role in helping people get better understanding of Party and State guidelines and policies, contributing to reinforcing the bloc of great national unity.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet left Hanoi in the morning of 27 February for a three-day official visit to Cambodia at the invitation of King Norodom Sihamoni.

The Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has asked the sector to quickly renew the management of hospitals in line with the resolutions of the 10th National Party Congress. It is necessary to decentralize hospitals to enhance their independent and responsible services, he said.

The National Assembly Committee for National Security and Defense has actively accelerated the building and completing of legal document system under the resolutions of the 10th National Party Congress.

In the condition of one Party leading the country, the Party’s ideological work aims not only at Party members but also at people from all walks of life as well as the whole nation, said Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh.

Belgium’s Wallonie Region will create the most favourable conditions for increased co-operation with Vietnam in all fields, Chairman of the Parliament of the Wallonie Region, Jose Happart confirmed at a meeting with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in Hanoi on February 26.

Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh has asked the southern province of Dong Nai to maintain its steady growth in industrialisation and modernisation during his visit to the province over the weekend.

Bac Ninh should make the best of opportunities, iron out snags in mechanisms and policies and pool all of its resources in order to maintain rapid and sustainable development towards the target of becoming an industrialised province by 2015, said State President Nguyen Minh Triet.

The Government always praises the Association’s role in coordinating with ministries and sectors throughout the country to effectively implement policies towards the overseas Vietnamese community, said Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Pham Gia Khiem.

The government will not manage the securities market and investment in the market through administrative measures, affirmed Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Sinh Hung at a working session with the State Securities Commission (SSC) in Hanoi on February 23.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the visiting President of the Australian Senate Paul Calvert in Hanoi on February 23 and said the visit will help promote mutual understanding and cooperation between the two countries, especially between the two legislative bodies.

Vietnam and China discussed demarcation of their land border and marker planting along their common border at a meeting of a joint committee in Hanoi from February 6-13.

Foreign Ministry spokesperson Le Dung on February 23 welcomed the signing of Mecca Agreement between Fatah and Hamas movements on the formation of a national unity government, considering it an important step towards building and strengthening Palestine’s national unity and reconciliation.

Ministries, sectors and localities throughout the country should make a monthly report on administrative reform and corruption prevention and control with a focus on reforming cumbersome procedures for people and entrepreneurs, said Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung.

In 2007, Vietnam faces new opportunities like a large ship setting out to the sea with great aspirations. The press plays a vital role and assumes the great responsibility, task of joining hands with the entire country to turn big challenges into opportunities in order to achieve new success.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet launched a tree planting campaign in Soc Temple in Soc Son District, Hanoi on February 22.

Vietnam would deserve to be the centrepiece of media agencies worldwide in 2006 if a poll or survey was conducted. Many global media agencies ran reports on Vietnam, considering the country a rising star in the region and the world.

State President Nguyen Minh Triet has visited Saigon Jewellery Company (SJC) and Vissan one-member liability limited company on the occasion of the traditional Lunar New Year Festival (Tet).

Chairman of the National Assembly Nguyen Phu Trong and leaders of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development on February 20 offered incenses in commemoration of the Hung Kings at the Hung Temples historical complex in northern Phu Tho province, launched a tree-planting campaign and attended the 10th anniversary of re-establishment of Phu Tho province.