President Truong Tan Sang hosted Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly Pany Yathotou, Speaker of the Pakistani National Assembly Sardar Ayat Sadiq and Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament of India Sumitra Mahajan on March 30, all of whom are in Vietnam for the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132) Assembly.

Meeting Pany Yathotou, the President suggested the two Parties and legislatures work to remove any barriers to achieving set goals, and foster comprehensive cooperation in the run-up to their respective National Party Congress, while working supportively at multilateral forums.

Informing her host of the outcomes of talks between the two legislatures, the Lao guest asked to further nurture and educate young generations about the strong relationship between Vietnam and Laos.

In a reception for Speaker Sardar Ayat Sadiq, the leader agreed with a proposal to facilitate high-level visits and boost coordination between Vietnam and Pakistan, seeking to elevate trade from the current modest 400 million USD.

Both sides should review signed agreements and accelerate preparations for the inter-governmental meeting, the President said, adding that Pakistan would take concrete actions to tighten bilateral ties.

Sardar Ayat Sadiq spoke highly of the IPU-132’s theme and the ideas put forward at the event which, he said, would contribute to global peace and development.

In an effort to intensify economic, trade and defence ties, the guest said the inter-governmental meeting should be held in late April and a meeting between the Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade and Pakistani Ministry of Industries and Production should take place in the fourth quarter.

He urged the facilitation of all-level visits and business operations in each nation and thanked Vietnam for backing Pakistan’s bid for a seat at the United Nations Economic and Social Council for the 2016-2018 tenure and its role as a partner of ASEAN.

The Speaker made it clear that both sides would work closely together at regional and global forums.

Welcoming Sumitra Mahajan, the President said determined efforts are required to achieve the proposed trade goal of 7 billion USD in trade between Vietnam and India over the next year.

Mahajan, for her part, said she is impressed with Vietnam’s achievements during its 30-year reform process.

She expected Vietnam to facilitate collaboration in oil and gas, tourism, agriculture, and science-technology, as well as the opening of a direct flight to boost exchanges.-VNA