National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong’s recent visits to India and Indonesia have created a new driving force to boost relations between Vietnam and the two Asian countries, said an official.

In an interview with the press on the visits’ results, Chairman of the NA’s External Relations Committee Nguyen Van Son on March 3 said both India and Indonesia wish to lift cooperation with Vietnam to new height and this policy receives the support of opposition political parties in the two countries.

India affirmed its intention to strongly promote strategic partnership relations with Vietnam , stressing that India is willing to cooperate in any field of Vietnam ’s need, especially in oil and gas, information technology, education and training and tourism.

Meanwhile Indonesia is willing to develop all-rounded cooperation with Vietnam , with priorities to be given to mining, agriculture, service, tourism and fisheries.

NA Chairman Trong’s visits to the two countries not only contributed to enhancing bilateral ties, but also helped Vietnam win their support in multilateral relationship, Son said.

India affirmed Vietnam is the centre of its “East looking” policy, while Indonesia voiced support to Vietnam ’s participation to G20 summit as ASEAN’s Chair.

Both countries affirmed their support to Vietnam so that it can successfully organise the Vietnam Year during its tenure as ASEAN and AIPA’s chairs.

India and Indonesia ’s legislative bodies also pledged to increasing cooperation with Vietnam not only in bilateral relations but also at regional and international forums.

Regarding the prospect of legislative cooperation, Son said India and Indonesia said they will work closely with Vietnam for the successful organisation of the 31st AIPA General Assembly.

They also wanted to enhance the sharing of information and experience with Vietnam , especially in law-making and supervision, as well as consultation with Vietnam in international forums.

The three legislative bodies agreed to work together in the supervision of the implementation of signed agreements between them.

The NA official also said Chairman Trong’s visits helped stimulated economic ties between Vietnam and the two Asian countries with the organisation of business forums and the “Vietnam Days” event in India .
As Indian and Indonesian leaders saw cooperation with Vietnam in economics and trade as yet to match their potentials, they said the forums had provided a boon for the business circles.

According to Son, the President and the Speaker of the House of Representatives of Indonesia pledged to take with them large business delegations during their visits to Vietnam this year to boost investment cooperation.

In conclusion, Son said India and Indonesia want to cooperate with Vietnam not only for a prosperous ASEAN community but also for ASEAN countries to expand relations with other countries and regions to improve their positions in international arena.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong on March 3 wrapped up official visits to India and Indonesia which were made at the invitations of Speaker of the Indian House of the People (the Lok Sabha) Meira Kumar and Speaker of the Indonesian House of Representatives Marzuki Alie./.