Ceremonies held abroad to commemorate former PM Phan Van Khai

At a memorial service in the US on March 20th, Vietnamese Ambassador to the US Pham Quang Vinh highlighted Prime Minister Khai’s contributions to the Vietnam-US relationship through his visit to the US in June 2005.

He said that this is the first visit to the US by a senior Vietnamese leader. It took place on the occasion of the 10^th anniversary of the bilateral ties and 20 years of Vietnam’s renovation reform.

Mr. Vinh added that during the trip, the late leader emphasized leaving the past behind and looking towards the future in Vietnam-US relations, and painted the picture of a Vietnam on the path of renewal, and regional and international integration.

At the event in Beijing on March 20^th, Vietnamese Ambassador to China Dang Minh Khoi emphasized the lPM’s significant contributions to the reform of Vietnam and his dedication as a faithful communist who strived for national independence, socialism and people’s happiness.

The diplomat said while serving as the PM of Vietnam from 1997 to 2006, Mr. Khai greatly contributed to the friendly neighbourliness and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and China. He made many official visits to China and met with leaders of the Communist Party of China and the State and Government of China.

During this period, aside from the fast progress in bilateral cooperation in economy-trade, culture-education and people-to-people ties, the two countries also attained a number of important outcomes in solving outstanding problems, especially land- and sea-related border issues.

On the same day, the Vietnamese Embassy in Japan held a memorial service for Prime Minister Phan Van Khai and placed funeral books that will remain until March 22^nd.

Vietnamese Ambassador Nguyen Quoc Cuong and staff of the Embassy, and representatives from Vietnamese representative offices in Japan solemnly offered incense to the former Government leader.

After observing a minute of silence in memory of the deceased, the Ambassador reviewed PM Khai’s contributions to the revolutionary cause of the Party and the nation, as well as the country’s Renewal and nation-building cause.

Former PM Khai was also commemorated in many other countries such as India, Germany and Hong Kong (China), Laos, Thailand, Myanmar, Russia, Canada, Mexico, Australia, New Zealand, Algeria and Israel./.