Vietnam pressed on human rights

The European Union has urged Vietnam to strengthen its commitment to human rights, democracy and independent media.

At the start of a two-day meeting of international donors in Hanoi, the EU said such measures were essential to Vietnam's social and economic development.

The EU statement also said more needed to be done to reduce poverty among ethnic minorities in the Central Highlands, where villagers have protested violently over access to land.

The United States said in its statement to the meeting that progress on reform had been insufficient over the past year, particularly in guaranteeing religious freedom in Vietnam.