NA Chairman welcomes Luxembourg PM to Vietnam
Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue has welcomed Prime Minister of Luxembourg Xavier Bettel to Vietnam on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, believing that the visit will boost relations.
During a meeting
with the guest in Hanoi on May 4, Chairman Hue hailed the outcomes of talks
between the Vietnamese and Luxembourg PMs, adding that he and the Vietnamese
legislature highly appreciate bilateral friendship and cooperation via both
Government and parliament channels, with regular exchange of high-level visits.
Despite having a relatively small population,
Luxembourg is the third largest EU investor in Vietnam and one of the
countries toearly ratify the Vietnam-EU Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA).
Hue lauded the signing of many cooperation agreements between the two countries, especially the establishment of the Strategic Partnership on Green Finance framework. He thanked Luxembourg for its continued support to Vietnam, particularly in poverty reduction and climate change adaptation.
Noting that Luxembourg is strong in finance and banking, the host said the Vietnamese NA is
finalising the legal framework for these areas and suggested that the two sides
strengthen cooperation and share lawmaking experience in them.
Bettel, for his part, said during his talks
with PM Pham Minh Chinh in the morning the same day, Luxembourg announced two
projects worth a total of 7 million EUR to assist Vietnam in environment
protection and climate change adaptation. This shows Luxembourg's determination
to help Vietnam in its transition and contribute to preserving the environment
and beautiful landscapes for future generations, he said.
According to him, both sides are organising an
economic forum on May 5 with the participation of 25 businesses from Luxembourg.
Impressed by Vietnam's economic policies amid the global recession, he said
Vietnam not only focuses on economic development but also on greenhouse gas
emission reduction.
On the occasion, he hoped that Vietnam will
soon waive visas for Luxembourg citizens, thereby facilitating economic, trade,
and people-to-people exchanges.
As digital transformation is a priority of the
Luxembourg Government, Bettel affirmed that Luxembourg is ready to share
information on digital transformation with Vietnam.
The Vietnamese leader described economy, trade and investment as potential cooperation areas for both countries.
Vietnam welcomes more Luxembourg investors to the country which has great potential in both population and economic size. Both sides are well-positioned to maintain and improve a new supply chain amid complex and uncertain developments in the world, he said.
Agreeing
with the guest’s proposal, Hue affirmed that the two countries should continue creating
favourable conditions for visa issuance on the basis of reciprocity. The Vietnamese
National Assembly will consider this issue within its authority at the upcoming
session, he said.
He also asked for Luxembourg's support in
urging the European Commission (EC) to soon lift the yellow card warning against
Vietnamese seafood exports for the benefit of EU consumers and the livelihoods
of Vietnamese fishermen.
On the occasion, the host wished that both sides would promote parliamentary diplomatic ties.
Chairman Hue conveyed his invitation to the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Luxembourg to visit Vietnam. As the Vietnamese NA will host the ninth Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians this September, he hoped that the Luxembourg side will send a delegation of young parliamentarians to the event./.