Party General Secretary Nong Duc Manh received head delegates to the 31st General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-31) in Hanoi on Sept. 21.

General Secretary Manh expressed his belief that AIPA-31 would be an opportunity for lawmakers from ASEAN, guest and observer countries to boost mutual understanding and trust, as well as accelerating cooperation and mutual benefits for peace, stability and prosperity in the whole region.

He said AIPA had become stronger and operated more effectively, contributing to building Southeast Asian into a region of peace, stability, cooperation and development and solving many economic, cultural and social problems during the regional development, while expanding relations with dialogue and partner countries.

AIPA’s proposals in many fields have had a marked impact on policy building and examination of the implemention of law in ASEAN countries.

General Secretary Manh expressed his belief that AIPA-31 would devise practical and effective measures to solve regional issues of mutual concern and provide an impetus to reach the goal of building the ASEAN Community by 2015, based on the three pillars of politics-security, the economy and culture-society.

The Vietnamese Party leader said that as an AIPA member, especially taking the term of AIPA and ASEAN Chair, Vietnam would do its best together with member countries to build a strong ASEAN Community.

Delegate heads expressed their honour to be in Hanoi in an atmosphere of celebrations of the 1,000 th anniversary of Thang Long-Hanoi, while witnessing the great achievements of the Vietnamese people in the national renewal and development.

They praised the active and effective contributions of the National Assembly of Vietnam as the Chair of AIPA in 2009-2010, especially preparations for AIPA-31. They said that issues to be discussed at AIPA-31 would receive support from member countries, reflecting mutual concerns from the region.

Delegate heads pledged to closely coordinate with the host country to make AIPA-31 a success, to develop AIPA with its role of boosting exchange between people, forming legal frameworks for regional linkage and examining the implementation of programmes and plans of action to successfully build the ASAEN Community by 2015./.