(Photo: Xinhua/Newsis) Pyongyang and Seoul agreed to rebuild a full-scale dialogue on various issues, including military ones. Namely, they decided to restore talks between military personnel in order to prevent incidents involving weapons. The two sides also vowed to ramp up exchanges and collaboration in various fields. The talks were the first to take place in more than two years, and are likely to prove a major turning point in overcoming a nearly ten-year vacuum and opening up a new chapter in inter-Korean relations. China on January 9th hailed the positive outcome of talks. “It is encouraging that the two sides show each other goodwill and shake hands at a time when the situation of the Korean Peninsula is quite tense,” spokesperson Lu Kang said at a daily press briefing. “The US welcomes the January 9th meeting between the RoK and DPRK aimed at ensuring a safe, secure, and successful Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang,” State Department spokeswoman Heather Nauert said in a statement, referring to the Republic of Korea by its formal name. RoK’s President Moon Jae-in and his American counterpart Donald Trump welcomed the resumption of inter-Korean talks, with Mr Trump saying that the US is also open to talks with the regime “at an appropriate time and circumstance”. In a phone conversation, both leaders agreed the talks may go beyond the DPRK’s participation in the upcoming Winter Olympics and naturally lead to negotiations about denuclearization. Also on January 9th, UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres welcomed progress in talks… [Read full story]
The Vietnamese leaders welcomed Mr Bouphavanh’s visit and appreciated his selection of Vietnam as the first country to visit following his election as Prime Minister of Laos. They noted that the two countries have already implemented many cooperation projects, bringing about practical improvements in their relations. Vietnam will do its utmost to foster this relationship,” they stressed. Vietnam for the first time after his election as Prime Minister of Laos. He informed the Vietnamese leaders of Laos’ socio-economic development and the results of talks with his Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Tan Dung and expressed thanks for Vietnam’s effective cooperation and assistance…... [read more]
Ukraine launched air strikes and a paratrooper assault against pro-Russian rebels who seized an airport on Monday, as its newly elected leader rejected any talks with "terrorists" and said a robust military campaign in the east should be able to put down a separatist revolt in "a matter of hours".Ukrainians rallied overwhelmingly in Sunday's election behind Petro Poroshenko, a political veteran and billionaire owner of chocolate factories, hoping the burly 48-year-old can rescue the nation from the brink of bankruptcy, civil war and dismemberment by its former Soviet masters in the Kremlin.Monday's rapid military response to separatists who seized the…... [read more]
HONG KONG (VNS) — Small knots of pro-democracy demonstrators remained on Hong Kong's streets on Tuesday morning after protest leaders agreed to talks with the government and dwindling demonstrator numbers dropped further. The mass protests for fully free elections have brought parts of the city to a standstill for more than a week, with tens of thousands mobilised in support of the campaign. But while many in the city remain supportive of the movement, they also want to resume their daily lives – and even protest leaders are now worried that further disruption could alienate supporters. Tuesday saw another morning…... [read more]
Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong (R) shakes hands with Lao PM Thongsing Thammavong, Ha Noi, July 17, 2014 - Photo: VNA The Party leader welcomed the Lao PM’s visit and wished Laos success in realizing the five-year socio-economic development plan and organising Party congresses at all levels ahead the 10th National Party Congress.The host leader afirmed that Viet Nam will spare no effort to elevate the all-around cooperation with Laos to a new height for mutual prosperity as well peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and beyond.He also highly lauded the two countries’ efforts in implementing effectively high-level…... [read more]
Party leader Nguyen Phu Trong reiterated Vietnam’s consistent policy while receiving Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Hanoi on August 5.He welcomed Wang’s visit and noted that bilateral relations have developed strongly in recent times through high-level reciprocal visits. He conveyed his best wishes to General Secretary-President Xi Jinping and other senior Chinese leaders. Trong expressed his hope that both countries should make a greater effort to concretise and realise agreements reached by their top leaders to effectively strengthen cooperation in all areas. He urged both sides to reasonably address pending issues through peaceful negotiations in line with international law…... [read more]
