NA leader welcomes foreign guests to IPU-132

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung hosted a reception on March 28 for President of the German Parliament Norbert Lammert, who is in Hanoi to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132).
National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung hosted a reception on March 28 for President of the German Parliament Norbert Lammert, who is in Hanoi to attend the 132nd Inter-Parliamentary Union Assembly (IPU-132).

Chairman Hung welcomed the President and his entourage and stated that their presence in the IPU-132 will contribute significantly to the success of the event.

He extended his sympathies to Germany’s Parliament and people over the recent Germanwings airplane crash, which killed a number of German passengers.

The leader affirmed Vietnam always treasures its strategic partnership with Germany, wishing that the German Parliament will support the European Union’s early ratification of a partnership and cooperation agreement and signing of a free trade agreement with Vietnam, as well as its recognition of Vietnam’s market economy.

The guest highlighted Vietnam’s increasingly important role in the region, and expressed his belief that Vietnam will surmount all challenges to develop sustainably and obtain greater achievements in its nation-building cause.

The German Parliament and people are willing to boost cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in education, training, science and technology, for the common interests of the two peoples, and for peace and development in the region and the world.

On the day, the Vietnamese top legislator also welcomed Speaker of India’s Lok Sabha (Lower House) Sumitra Mahajan, who showed her delight to visit Vietnam to attend the 132 nd Assembly of the IPU.

With its potential and available conditions, Vietnam will accomplish the Millennium Development Goals and hold an increasingly important position in the international arena, said Sumitra Mahajan.

Chairman Hung highlighted the two countries’ growing relations, saying that India is becoming one of Vietnam’s largest trade partners, with two-way trade reaching 5.6 billion USD.

The Vietnamese NA wishes to consolidate and intensify the bilateral ties and cooperate more closely with the Indian side at regional and international forums, he added.

On the IPU-132 occasion, he also welcomed Chen Zhu, Vice Chairman of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Congress.

He expressed his belief that on the basis of the time-honoured neighbourliness and tradional friendship, the two countries will continue exerting efforts to foster their cooperation, strengthen mutual trust, and deal with disputes by peaceful means in order to maintain peace and stability in the region.

The Vietnamese NA and people will do their utmost to nurture the relations, he stated, suggesting the two legislative bodies intensifying delegation exchanges and information and experience sharing as well as pushing for the two Governments’ prompt implementation of signed agreements.

The Chinese guest spoke highly of Vietnam’s preparations for a large-scale diplomatic event like the IPU-132.

With Vietnam’s thorough preparations and the IPU members’ consensus, the assembly will be a success, raising Vietnam’s position on the international stage, he added.-VNA

See more