Top legislator hosts Ambassadors of New Zealand, Philippines

Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted separate receptions for New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning and Philippine Ambassador Noel Servigon in Hanoi on August 23.

She suggested New Zealand soon allow the entry of Vietnamese fruits, encourage its businesses to invest in the processing of agricultural products in Vietnam, and support the country in human resources training.

Mentioning the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, she said both sides should intensify experience sharing to take advantage of regional free trade agreements to boost bilateral trade and investment.

The top legislator also expressed her hope that New Zealand will share its experience in developing sustainable agriculture and responding to climate change, recalling the prolonged drought and saline intrusion and their serious impacts on the Mekong Delta early this year.

Haike Manning said that the two countries should increase delegation exchanges, pay attention to cooperation between specialised committees and friendship parliamentarians’ groups, and increase coordination at international parliamentary forums, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

New Zealand had cooperated with the Mekong Delta province of Ben Tre to improve farmers’ adaptation to climate change and livelihood improvement and wants to expand the cooperative model, he stated.

The country also hopes for further collaboration in boosting exports to the respective countries and to the third market as well, he added.

Meeting with the Filipino Ambassador, Ngan said both sides should implement efficiently existing cooperative mechanisms and continue promoting their strength in maritime cooperation through the implementation of agreements related to search and rescue, response to oil spill incidents, and protection of the sea environment.

She also requested the two Governments to create favourable conditions for the two countries’ enterprises, particularly in rice trading.

The diplomat noted his hope that the two sides will expand cooperation between localities and agencies involved in women affairs and drugs prevention, along with intensifying ties between the two legislative bodies.-VNA