National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung has described Chairman of the El Salvador Legislative Assembly’s visit to Vietnam as an important development milestone in the two nations’ and legislatures’ ties, contributing to linking Southeast Asia and Central America.

At talks with visiting Chairman Sigfrido Reyes in Hanoi on June 6 following the welcome ceremony, Nguyen Sinh Hung hailed his first Vietnam visit since the two countries established diplomatic ties in 2010.

He stressed that Vietnam and El Salvador have enjoyed a time-honoured relationship since Vietnam was engulfed in its fight for national liberation and unification.

The host suggested Reyes urge his Government to recognise Vietnam as a market economy and make it easier for Vietnamese enterprises to invest in the Latin American country.

Nguyen Sinh Hung said he hopes the two sides will promote the all-level exchange of delegations, information sharing and work closely at multilateral forums of which the two legislatures are members.

Reyes affirmed that his visit aims to seek cooperation opportunities between the two legislative bodies and peoples.

He also expressed his wish to share each nation’s experience in how to reduce poverty and ensure social welfare.

Through Vietnam, El Salvador is keen to cement cooperation with Southeast Asian and Asia-Pacific nations, he said.

Apart from discussing the regional and global situation and issues of mutual concern, the two leaders also agreed to establish close and regular links between the two legislatures to raise mutual understanding and launch joint political, diplomatic, cultural and tourism cooperation projects.-VNA