Vietnam bolsters parliamentary cooperation with Asian, European nations

Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Tong Thi Phong on September 23 had bilateral meetings with foreign delegates on the sidelines of the 4th Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’ Parliaments (MSEAP) which takes place in Kazakhstan on September 23-24.

24/09/2019 15:09

Standing Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Tong Thi Phong in a meeting with Deputy Chairwoman of the State Duma of Russian Federation Olga Timofeeva on September 23 (Photo: VNA)

Meeting with Deputy Chairwoman of the State Duma of Russian Federation Olga Timofeeva, Phong expressed her delight over the comprehensive strategic partnership between the two nations which has been increasingly consolidated through the exchange of high-level delegations as well as businesses and localities.

She thanked Russia for its support for Vietnam during the national construction and defense, and affirmed the Southeast Asian country always values and prioritizes the development of the partnership, as well as boosting the effective cooperation with Russia in the fields of politics, economy, trade, defense-security and people-to-people exchange.

Regarding the bilateral parliamentary relations, Phong spoke highly of the ties, saying the cooperation agreements with the Federation Council (in November 2012) and State Duma (March 2013) have served as a legal base to deepen the Vietnam-Russia partnership.

The Vietnamese NA endorses the two governments’ collaboration, and will join hands with the Russian Federal Assembly to supervise key cooperation projects and cooperation agreements between the two nations, she said.

Phong highlights the strong development of the Vietnam-Japan relations while meeting parliamentarian Takeo Kawamura in Kazakhstan on September 23 (Photo: VNA)

The official suggested both sides work closely and take full advantage of the Eurasian Economic Union – Vietnam free trade agreement to facilitate trade and economic activities.

Olga Timofeeva, for her part, spoke highly of the meeting with the Vietnamese NA representative, describing this as a valuable opportunity to review their cooperative contents.

She rejoiced at Vietnam’s attendance at the MSEAP, and affirmed that members of the State Duma reach broad consensus on supporting Vietnam at all multilateral forums.

While meeting head of the Japanese delegation, parliamentarian Takeo Kawamura, Phong highlighted the strong development of the Vietnam-Japan relations.

Japan is one of Vietnam’s most important partners, she said, noting that the Vietnamese NA and Government always make all-out efforts to remove difficulties hindering the development of the bilateral ties.

Phong affirmed the Vietnamese legislature’s support for the Vietnam-Japan extensive strategic partnership, as well as the support by Vietnamese NA deputies for the Government’s commitments to facilitating the operation of foreign businesses, including those from Japan.

She used the occasion to call on Japan to support Vietnam in the roles as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020-2021 tenure, ASEAN Chair and AIPA 41 Chair, thus contributing to maintaining peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.

For his part, Kawamura expressed his fome sentiments towards Vietnamese land and people and hoped that cooperation between Vietnam and Japan will further prosper in the time ahead.

NA Standing Vice Chairwoman Phong shakes hands with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrinon September 23 (Photo: VNA)

In a meeting with President of the Cambodian National Assembly Heng Samrin, Phong congratulated the Cambodian people’s standout achievements in recent years, and thanked Heng Samrin and other Cambodian leaders for supporting Vietnam’s bid to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council while creating favorable conditions for the Vietnamese people community in the host nation.

Touching on the construction of office buildings for the Secretariat and committees of the Cambodian National Assembly, Phong hoped that this will be a meaningful gift from the Vietnamese Party, State and people.

She also wished that Heng Samrin will continue his contributions to the friendship, solidarity and fraternal relations between the two countries.

Heng Samrin said he has been satisfied with the fruitful ties with Vietnam, highlighting the sound traditional friendship and long-lasting cooperation have helped both sides develop the comprehensive relations.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation visited the financial center of Kazakhstan.

VNA