UN Chief Arrives in Vietnam for First Visit
United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan arrived in Hanoi Tuesday evening for a three-day official visit which is expected to boost ties between Vietnam and the UN.
To the surprise of many locals, the UN chief and his wife Nane Annan came by economy class aboard a commercial flight from Beijing following a visit to China.
On his first trip to Vietnam since he took office in 1997, Annan is scheduled to hold talks with Foreign Minister Nguyen Dy Nien, and meet with the Communist Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh, President Tran Duc Luong, and Prime Minister Phan Van Khai Wednesday.
The two sides will exchange views on UN activities, especially its role in promoting human rights, dealing with regional conflicts, reforms, and fulfilling the Millennium Development Goals on poverty.
They will also discuss measures to increase the effectiveness of cooperation between UN organizations and Vietnam, especially in social and economic development issues, bird flu, and HIV/AIDS.
Annan's visit takes place as Vietnam is running for non-permanent membership of the Security Council for the 2008-2009 term.
Annan goes next to Thailand for the last leg of his six-nation tour which also took him to Australia, the Republic of Korea, Japan, and China.
Source: Thanh Nien News - Reported by Xuan Danh
