Vietnam’s diplomatic policies consistently aim for friendship with South Asian countries, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung declared while meeting with his Maldivian counterpart Abdulla Maseek Mohamed in Hanoi on April 1.

Hung lauded the Maldivian delegation’s suggestion to establish a South Asian parliament union during the 132nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliament Union (IPU-132).

Vietnam looks to work with the Maldives in trade, shipping and tourism, the NA Chairman said, adding that the two legislative bodies should support each other in regional and global forums.

Concurring with his host, Abdulla Maseek Mohamed noted his country wants to boost mutual understanding and improve tourism and cultural cooperation with Vietnam.

He hoped that a Hanoi declaration would be passed at the conclusion of this year’s IPU and urged the launch of practical programmes to celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations (1975-2015).-VNA