National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung received outgoing Ambassador Sean Doyle, Head of the European delegation to Vietnam and Antony Stokes, Ambassador of the UK and Northern Ireland to Vietnam, in Hanoi on Oct. 18.

Chairman Hung thanked Doyle for his contributions to promoting Vietnam-EU relations, saying that bilateral relations have developed strongly, comprehensively and effectively during his term of office.

Hung said that the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) always treasures cooperation with the European Parliament and will do its utmost to foster the relationship in the future.

Doyle expressed his honour at receiving the Friendship Order, a noble reward of the Vietnamese State, and suggested that as a country of rich potential, Vietnam should popularise the images of its country and people to Europe.

Receiving Ambassador Stokes, Chairman Hung expressed his delight at the strong development of cooperation between Vietnam and the UK in the spirit of strategic partnership, saying that relations between the Vietnamese NA and UK Parliament are of extreme importance, contributing to the success of cooperative programmes between the two governments.

The Vietnamese NA leader thanked the UK and people for their support to Vietnam, especially official development assistance which is being used effectively in poverty reduction, healthcare and educational development, and administrative reform.

Expressing his sympathy over losses faced by the Vietnamese people during recent floods, as well as challenges in development due to impacts of the global economic downturn, Ambassador Stokes said that the UK will closely cooperate with Vietnam in settling these difficulties.

Stokes added that the UK government wants to cooperate with Vietnam in the field of defence, an important area within the framework of the strategic partnership, to contribute to fostering friendship between the two countries for peace and stability in the world./.