NA Chairman Hue hails Bulgaria's EVIPA ratification

Talks were held between NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and his Bulgarian counterpart Rosen Zhelyazkov in Sofia on September 25 (local time) following an official welcome ceremony for the Vietnamese top legislator.

During the talks, Hue told his host that Vietnam always treasures and wishes to boost its traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation with Bulgaria.

In response, Zhelyazkov affirmed that stated that Hue’s visit is of significance as it marks a new step in the relations between the two countries.  

He also congratulated the great achievements Vietnam has recorded in reform, in which, he said, the Vietnamese legislature plays a crucial role.

Bulgaria always places importance on the time-honoured friendship and multi-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, which have been cultivated by generations of leaders of the two countries over the past more than seven decades, he emphasized.

The Vietnamese NA leader said that the State, NA and people of Vietnam always remember the valuable, whole-hearted support of Bulgaria to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence as well as the present cause of national construction and development.

Bulgaria was one of the first countries to recognize and establish diplomatic relations with Vietnam, and it has helped the Southeast Asian nation train over 30,000 officials and technicians, including many high-ranking officials, he continued.

Hue noted his confidence that the visit will contribute to enhancing the bilateral cooperation intensively, practically and comprehensively across multiple fields.

The two leaders had an in-depth discussion on various issues, both bilaterally and multilaterally, and shared the view that the bilateral cooperation has been strengthened in different areas, yet it has not matched the political trust and potential of both sides.

Therefore, for politics and diplomacy, they consented to intensify the exchange of delegations at all levels, enhance collaboration between NA committees and agencies, and enhance the legislatures’ role in supervision and the implementation of agreements reached by the two countries.

Vietnam and Bulgaria will also further coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums like the United Nations, the European Union (EU) and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).

Vietnam supports the Bulgarian NA to consolidate and enhance its relations with the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Hue affirmed. Meanwhile, Zhelyazkov pledged to support Vietnam in cooperation areas with the EU and the European Parliament (EP).

Both leaders held that economic cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria has made progress over the past time, and noted their support for the implementation of documents signed bilaterally as well as within the EU framework to improve the trade balance and foster the economic ties.

They concurred to soon organise the 24th meeting of the inter-governmental committee for economic, trade and scientific cooperation, offer favourable conditions for products of the two countries to access the respective markets, expand cooperation in such fields as processing and manufacturing, high-tech, innovation, health care, pharmaceutical products, and especially economy and logistics.

Zhelyazkov suggested the two sides capitalize on advantages generated by the EVIPA and consider establishing joint ventures in either Vietnam or Bulgaria to meet their demand or serve export to a third country.

The leaders shared the view that such traditional, potential cooperation spheres as education-training, labour, and tourism, and collaboration between localities should be promoted in the time ahead.

Hue took the occasion to call on the Bulgarian Government and NA to create more favourable conditions for nearly 1,000 Vietnamese to live and integrate in the host society.

They said the bilateral legislative ties are seeing positive development, and consented to maintain the exchange of delegations at the high level, as well as between specialised committees and friendship parliamentarians’ groups.

The two legislatures should strengthen the exchange of information and experience, and continue their close coordination and mutual support at multilateral forums like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP).
Hue said the Vietnamese NA advocates enhancing parliamentary diplomacy and forging bilateral legislative cooperation, while actively participating in regional and international forums.

Regarding regional and international issues, the two leaders underscored that all conflicts and disputes should be handled by peaceful measures in accordance with international law and the UN Charter.

The top Vietnamese legislator asked Bulgaria to continue its support for ASEAN’s centrality and stance on the East Sea.

Zhelyazkov said Bulgaria always keeps a close watch on and greatly values Vietnam’s position in the region and ASEAN, as well as the Southeast Asian country’s foreign policy.    
                             
Both leaders expressed their confidence that the talks will help consolidate the good political ties between Vietnam and Bulgaria, and upgrade their traditional friendship and cooperation.

On this occasion, Hue invited Zhelyazkov to visit Vietnam and his  invitation was graciously accepted.

Following their talks, they signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on cooperation between the two legislatures, which takes effect from the date of signing and replaces the MoU inked on April 16, 2012.

They then witnessed the signing and handover of four cooperation documents, including one between the Vietnamese NA Office and the Bulgarian NA Secretariat, and the others covering cooperation in culture and tourism, and collaboration between Vietnam’s Vinh Phuc province, and Pernik province of Bulgaria.