National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and her Cuban counterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez (Source: VNA) Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her Cuban counterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez agreed to enhance legislative ties between Vietnam and Cuba through the exchange of all-level delegations and experience sharing.
The consensus was reached during their talks in Hanoi on June 12, which took place following a welcome ceremony for the Cuban top legislator, who is on an official visit to Vietnam from June 11-18.
Host and guest consented to continue reviewing and updating existing cooperation documents and sign more agreements in order to complete the legal framework for the bilateral relationship.
They expressed their determination to advance the two-way trade to match the close political ties.
The two NAs will support and promote the implementation of cooperative programmes and projects, particularly those in agriculture, consumer goods production, research and production of medicines, health care services, tourism infrastructure construction and energy.
They pledged to intensify their collaboration and mutual support at multilateral organisations and forums, especially the UN, in the interests of each nation, as well as for peace, stability and development in the regions and the world at large.
The Vietnam-Cuba and Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Groups will also increase their exchange and seek specific measures to increase mutual understanding and consolidate the friendship and cooperation between the two NAs in the coming time.
NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan stressed that the Vietnamese legislature plans to promote parliamentary diplomacy, expand bilateral activities with other countries’ parliaments and take an active role at multilateral forums and regional and international inter-parliamentary organisations.
Vietnam persistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisation and diversification of relations and intensive international integration, she affirmed.
The country will continue to work to contribute to maintaining peace and stability, while protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity on the basis of respect for international law, the legislative leader said.
The NA Chairwoman also highlighted the reform efforts of the Vietnamese legislature, which, she said, is gearing towards transparency and publicity.
Ngan described the Cuban NA leader’s visit as a new development of the legislative ties as well as the long-standing friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
For his part, Esteban Lazo Hernandez said the exchange of experience and delegations will help the two countries understand each other more and set forth measures against challenges.
Cuba understands Vietnam’s consistent stance on the international arena and will continue to stand by the country, he affirmed.
The Cuban top legislator expressed his hope to learn from Vietnam’s experience in 30-year reform, including legislative activities, especially at the grassroots level, in order to deal with its current problems.
After the talks, the Cuban NA Chairman delivered a speech at a plenary session of the third sitting of the 14th NA of Vietnam.
Later on the day, NA Chairman Ngan will host a banquet for the Cuban NA Chairman and his entourage.-VNA
VNA
