A doctor takes care of an infant at a hospital in HCMC. The European Union has carried out a number of projects to help Vietnam reduce the maternal and infant mortality ratios - PHOTO: VNA Over the past two decades, the country has made considerable efforts in reducing MMR and IMR and gained significant achievements. However, it is still facing discrepancies in MMR and IMR between major cities and remote regions. To assist Vietnam in overcoming this problem, the European Union has supported to improve the professional skills for ethnic village birth attendants and midwives, upgraded or renovated health stations in disadvantaged regions, and raised the awareness of pregnant women and women of reproductive ages within ethnic minorities. As part of the support, 400 midwives are being trained to improve their knowledge and clinical skills following the ASEAN-UNFPA regional guidelines for minimum requirement for training and accreditation of skilled birth attendants. Koen Duchateau, … [Read more...] about European Union helps Vietnam reduce maternal, infant mortality ratios
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Vietnam’s labor issues likely hamper trade pact with European Union
The Hanoitimes - Vietnam needs to take its revised Labor Code into account as the revision aims to align the law with the ILO’s standards, particularly on issues concerning collective bargaining and freedom of association. EVFTA is “once-in-a-decade” opportunity for Vietnam to integrate into global value chain No major barriers remain for EVFTA: Ambassador UK backs early signing of EVFTA in 2018 Europe businesses back early implementation of EVFTA EVFTA gives advantages to Vietnamese agricultural products EVFTA has legal review completed The EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) may not be ratified as soon as expected if Vietnam makes no progress in addressing key labor issues, experts warned. The EVFTA has strict requirements on labor standards Under the labor chapters of the EVFTA, Vietnam is obliged to reform both its legal system and its institutions and practices to ensure the realization of the fundamental principles and rights at … [Read more...] about Vietnam’s labor issues likely hamper trade pact with European Union
European Union diplomatic communications ‘targeted by hackers’
Hackers successfully targeted the European Union's diplomatic communications over a period of several years, The New York Times reports. Thousands of messages were intercepted in which diplomats referenced a range of subjects from US President Donald Trump to global trade. The breach was reportedly discovered by the cyber-security company Area 1. European officials say that information marked as confidential and secret was not affected by the three-year hack. One expert told the New York Times that the methods used by the hackers were similar to those previously used by the Chinese military. "After over a decade of experience countering Chinese cyber-operations... there is no doubt this campaign is connected to the Chinese government," he said. The intercepted messages, known as diplomatic cables, reveal one exchange in which diplomats describe July's meeting between Mr Trump and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin as "successful (at least for Putin)". Another message gives details … [Read more...] about European Union diplomatic communications ‘targeted by hackers’
European stock markets rebound after dramatic tumble
Logo of the London Stock Exchange. In Europe, all key markets closed solidly in the black, but London's FTSE index underperformed, held back by a steady pound and a weak sales outlook from advertiser WPP. Wall Street extended opening gains, helped by optimism on corporate earnings, a day after geopolitical worries and trade fears slashed billions off US stock valuations. The tech-heavy Nasdaq was well over two percent higher approaching midday in New York, having fallen a whopping 4.4 per cent on Wednesday. "US stocks are rebounding in early action from yesterday's sharp drop, with a host of relatively favourable earnings reports helping counter a flood of global headwinds that have pressured the markets and kept volatility elevated as of late," said analysts at the Charles Schwab brokerage. But Capital Economics analyst Oliver Jones said that the rebound in US markets was unlikely to last. "We think that the bounce in the S&P 500 today after its slump on Wednesday will prove … [Read more...] about European stock markets rebound after dramatic tumble
European Commission adopts Vietnam-EU free trade agreement
The Hanoitimes - Vietnam and the European Union (EU) made another move pushing their free trade agreement and Investment Protection Agreement (IPA) into place, during Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc’s visit to Europe. The European Commission (EC) on October 17 agreed to submit the EU-Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) to the European Council for its signing approval (expected late 2018) and to the European Parliament (EP) for ratification in 2019. The meeting between Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Chairman of the EP’s International Trade Committee Bernd Lange (Photo: VGP) At a press conference, the EU affirmed its commitment to putting the pact in place as soon as possible. The EC’s adoption of the EVFTA ahead of the 12th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) Summit, which takes place on October 18, has shown all sides’ efforts to step up connectivity between Asia and Europe. During his trip, PM Phuc alslo met with other European leaders and … [Read more...] about European Commission adopts Vietnam-EU free trade agreement