Permanent Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man (R) and Austrian Federal Minister for European and International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg (Photo: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – Permanent ViceChairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man expressed hisdelight at the development of Vietnam-Austria ties during a reception in Hanoion April 18 for Austrian Federal Minister for Europeanand International Affairs Alexander Schallenberg.
Man said both sides have maintained the exchangeof delegations at all levels, especially those at high level. Two-way trade hit3.35 billion USD in 2021, up 5.5% annually. Due to COVID-19 pandemic, thefigure hit 2.79 billion USD last year, down 16.7% year-on-year.
He expressed his belief that the visit by theAustrian minister and his entourage of representatives of over 20 major Austrian enterprises will create a new driving force for the bilateralrelations in various areas, particularly in economy, trade and investment.
He suggested that with strengths indigital economy, green economy, circular economy, education and vocationaltraining, Austria should step up collaboration with Vietnam in these fields.
Man hailed the effective collaboration between the two legislatures, manifested by the regular exchange of delegations at all levels and sharing of experience in law building and supervision.
He noted that the Austrian parliament has established the Austria-South Asia/Southeast Asia Friendship ParliamentaryGroup to enhance cooperation with parliamentsof countries in Southeast Asia, including Vietnam. The two parliaments also coordinate and supporteach other at regional and international parliamentary forums, including the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), he said.
The host proposed that the two sides increase the exchange of all-level delegations, especially those at high level, tocreate momentum for cooperation across the board. They should also continue offeringmutual support in multilateral parliamentary cooperation mechanisms.
Vietnam always values the ties with Austriaand the European Union, he said, wishing that the Austrian parliament wouldsoon approve the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement and push for the European Commission’s early removal of yellow card warning against Vietnam’saquatic products.
Man also suggested that Austria continue backingVietnam's stance on security and safety of navigation and overflight in the EastSea and the peaceful settlement of disputes on the basis of internationallaw, including the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea 1982, forthe common interests of countries in the international community, contributingto maintaining an environment of peace, stability and development in the regionand the world.
Schallenberg, for his part, informed the hostabout the outcomes of his meeting with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, his talks with Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son and working sessions with severalVietnamese ministries and agencies.
He said his visit aims to seek cooperation opportunities,contributing to further propelling forward bilateral ties in various areas,particularly in economy, trade and investment.
Austria is always ready to cooperate with Vietnam in fieldsof its strength, he said, adding that the European country wants toreinforce ties with Vietnam, its top important partner in Southeast Asia.
Agreeing with the Vietnamese leader’sproposals, he affirmed that Austria shares the common concern with Vietnam inthe geopolitical issue, especially stability in the region to fuel economicdevelopment.
He expressed his belief that with a shared viewpoint and vision,Austria and Vietnam are friendly partners of each other.
In such a spirit,the minister stressed that bilateral policy exchange activities, both throughparliamentary and other channels, will keep growing in the coming time./.
