National Assembly Chairman welcomes Icelandic President

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (R) and Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson. (Source: VNA)

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung on November 4 received Icelandic President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson who is on a state-level visit to Vietnam.

At the meeting, NA Chairman Hung thanked the President and Iceland’s people for supporting Vietnam in the resistance war of national liberation in the past as well as in the construction cause today.

He expressed his pleasure at the progress in bilateral relationship on many fields, but noted that the bilateral cooperation is still below potential.

The legislative leader said he hopes after the Icelandic President’s visit, cooperation between the two countries will see strong growth, benefiting both countries and the peace and prosperity in the world.

Chairman Hung said being one of countries suffering the most severe impact of climate change, Vietnam is willing to closely cooperate with Iceland and international communities to respond to this danger.

He also informed the President that at its on-going session, Vietnam’s NA is discussing an action plan to achieve sustainable development goals set out by the United Nations General Assembly at the end of September.

At the same time, the Vietnamese legislature is making efforts to complete policies and laws to develop the country and improve the life of its people.

The Chairman asked President Olafur Ragnar Grimsson to support and promote the cooperation between two legislatures in fields of shared interests.

He voiced agreement with recommendations made by Iceland in increasing cooperation in fishing and seafood, energy, responses to warming climate and rising sea level, and suggested agriculture as another potential field as this is one of Vietnam’s strengths.

Thanking Chairman Hung for his warm reception, the Icelandic President affirmed the visit aims to promote connectivity between the two countries, business communities in order to make better use of advantages and potential of each country.

The President said Iceland is willing to share experience with Vietnam in various fields, especially renewable energy industry, fishery, information technology, education and training, climate change and social welfare.-VNA