A leading Romanian lawmaker has urged his country and Vietnam to deepen their partnership in politics and economics.

The Speaker of the Chamber of Deputies, Valeriu Stefan Zgonea, made the proposal while receiving visiting Vietnam National Assembly Vice Chairperson Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on September 6 in Bucharest.

The Romanian legislator highlighted the time-honoured traditional friendship between the two countries and the close links shared by their respective legislative bodies.

Praising Vietnam’s development as remarkable, the host pledged to do his utmost to promote cooperation with Vietnam and work as a facilitator linking the Southeast Asian country with its EU partners.

He also expressed his hope that Vietnam, in return, will become an attractive destination for Romanian businesses, helping them access the ASEAN market as well as the Asian-Pacific region.

Sharing her host’s views, Vice Chairperson Ngan suggested the two sides should do more to step up their work together in politics, economics, education, training and culture.

She expressed her regard for Romania’s support to Vietnam in training over 3,000 high-quality officials.

Ngan conveyed NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s invitation to Zgonea and a delegation of Romanian businesses to visit Vietnam, an offer which was gladly accepted.

While staying in Romania, Vice Chairperson Ngan also met with Romanian Foreign Minister Titus Corlatean, Governor of the National Bank Mugur Isarescu, Minister of the Economy Manuel Marian Donescu and staff of the Vietnamese Embassy in Romania.

In each of the meetings, she voiced her hope that the Romanian Government and people will make it easier for overseas Vietnamese to work and study in the country.

The Vietnamese legislator took the occasion to explore the National Bank’s performance in managing monetary policy, monitoring public debt, reducing the budget deficit and handling the banking crisis.

She encouraged Romanian businesses to increase their investment in Vietnam, especially in the areas that match the strengths of the two sides.

Her visit to the country will end on September 7.-VNA