Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son met with Deputy Speaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Chandima Weerakkody in Hanoi on March 26, during which both sides agreed to foster their traditional friendship and cooperation, especially in law-making, economics and culture.

Son and Weerakkody expressed their delight at the growth of ties between the two parliaments over the past year with regular delegation exchanges and mutual support at international parliamentarian forums.

In order to strengthen the partnership, Son suggested the Sri Lankan parliament work closely with the Vietnamese NA in realising agreements, especially those in investment and financial affiliation as well as machinery making and agriculture.

It is also necessary to create a favourable legal environment for businesses and people of both nations to increase exchange, trade and investment collaboration, he said.

Weerakkody, who is in Vietnam to attend the 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132), agreed with his host’s proposal and expressed his desire to further promote cooperation with Vietnam.

The Sri Lankan Parliament looks to learn from and share experience with Vietnam’s NA, he stated.

The same day, Weerakkody was also received by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who suggested Sri Lanka encourage its enterprises to explore opportunities with Vietnamese partners.

The Vietnamese Government is likewise ready to cooperate with Sri Lanka in advantageous areas, he affirmed.

The Deputy PM expressed his hope that Vietnam and Sri Lanka will coordinate at international forums and increase high-level visits.

He also proposed that Sri Lanka quickly approve the bilateral investment protection and encouragement deal signed in 2009 so as to lay a firm foundation for economic collaboration between the two nations.

For his part, Weerakkody spoke highly of Vietnam’s preparations for the IPU-132. He pledged to work to foster ties between the two parliaments and governments and lift ties to a new height.-VNA