Announcement:

1. At the invitation of President  Dmitry Medvedev of  the Russian Federation, President Kirsan Ilyumzhinov of the Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation, President Alexander Lukashenko of the Republic of Belarus, President Doris Leuthard of the Swiss Confederation and President Tarja Halonen of the Republic of Finland, President Nguyen Minh Triet will attend the 65th Anniversary of victory over fascism in Moscow and respectively pay visit to the Republic of Kalmykia of the Russian Federation from 8-12 May, the Republic of Belarus from 13-16 May, the Swiss Confederation from 16-19 May and the Republic of Finland from 19-22 May 2010.

President Triet is scheduled to hold talks and meetings with the Heads of State and leaders of these countries to discuss measures to enhance the strategic partnership and multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and these countries, particularly in economic and trade areas.

2. Thai Foreign Minister Kasit Piromya will pay a working visit to Vietnam from 7-8 May 2010. During the visit, Minister Kasit will have talks with Deputy Prime Minister, Minister of Foreign Affairs Pham Gia Khiem and call on Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung. The two sides will discuss the latest developments in each country and measures to strengthen bilateral cooperation, and exchange views on issues of mutual concern.

QUESTION AND ANSWER:

1. Regarding reports that said police stopped a Catholic family from organizing burial service for Mrs. Ho Nhu , aka Maria Dang Thi Tan, in Con Dau cemetery in Hoa Xuan Ward, Cam Le District, Da Nang City, Foreign Ministry Spokesperson reiterated that:
   
This information is a sheer fabrication wove with ill wills to smear Vietnam.

 

The truth is that what happened has nothing to do with religious reason. 

Da Nang City had earlier publicized the plan to develop residential quarters in the area which also covers Con Dau cemetery. Relocation and land compensation work is currently underway and the city had halted burial service in this cemetery.
   
The city authorities came to convince the family of Mrs. Maria Dang Thi Tan or Ho Nhu against burial in the cemetery and the family  agreed on cremation.

2. Question: Please advise us on Vietnam's reaction to the fishing ban issued by China on 29 April which took effects from 16th May to 1st August 2010 in some waters at sea, covering some areas under the sovereignty of Vietnam in the East Sea?

Answer:

Vietnam has an indisputable sovereignty over Hoang Sa (Paracels) and Truong Sa (Spratlys) archipelagoes and possesses the sovereign and jurisdiction rights over the Exclusive Economic Zone and the Continental Shelf in accordance with the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea in 1982.

The fishing ban by China in the East Sea violates Vietnam’s sovereignty over Hoang Sa islands, the sovereign and jurisdiction rights of Vietnam over its Exclusive Economic Zone and Continental Shelf. Such ban therefore is of no validity. Vietnam is going to have representation to protest such acts by China.