Vietnam full of determination to build stronger ties with Bulgaria

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue made the statement while meeting with Korneliya Ninova, chairwoman of the Bulgarian Socialist Party (BSP) who is also president of the Parliamentary Group "BSP for Bulgaria".

At the meeting held on September 26 (Bulgaria time), taking place part of NA Chiarman Hue’s official visit to Bulgaria, the top Vietnamese legislator thanked the Bulgarian NA for approving the EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) just ahead of the visit, which he said is an important step for the agreement in taking effect.

The Vietnamese NA leader hailed contributions made by Ninova and members of the BSP parliamentary group to the new memorandum of understanding on co-operation between the two legislatures signed during his visit.

The Vietnamese side treasures the time-honoured friendship with Bulgaria, which was one of the first 10 countries to establish diplomatic ties with the nation, NA Chairman Hue emphasised, while applauding Bulgaria’s whole-hearted support of the country in its past struggles for national liberation and reunification.  

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) is therefore keen to closely co-operate with Bulgarian political parties, contributing to promoting ties between the two countries across spheres, consolidating mutual trust, and enhancing relations in the State channel intensively, substantively and effectively, he went on.

He spoke glowingly of co-operation between the CPV and the BSP, noting his hope that they will intensify the exchange of experience in Party building and education about the traditional friendship and co-operation.

The top legislator invited Ninova and other members of the BSP parliamentary group to visit Vietnam in the near future, going on to convey an invitation from Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the BSP leader, who accepted the invitations with pleasure.

Ninova said she believes that the EVIPA, once put into force, will help the two countries to raise the overall competitiveness of their goods and attract more investments.

Both sides should therefore strive to further tap into their co-operation potential whilst fostering collaboration in both traditional and potential new areas, she said.   

The BSP and its parliamentary group always desires to enhance the traditional friendship and all-around co-operation with the Vietnamese side, she affirmed, adding that as a bridge between Asia and Europe, Bulgaria stands ready to work to reinforce the connectivity between the two countries, as well as the two regions.

The same day saw NA Chairman Hue received Desislava Atanasova, chairwoman of the GERB-UDF parliamentary group, who expressed her belief that after the Vietnamese leader’s visit, the mutual relationship will see fresh developments across many spheres.

He noted that on the basis of the MoU between the two legislative bodies, the Vietnamese NA will do its utmost to promote joint relations, expressing hope that Atanasova and other members of the GERB-UDF parliamentary group continue their support for the promotion of the bilateral legislative ties, as well as the traditional friendship and multi-faceted links between the two countries.

He called on Atanasova and the group to urge the European Parliament (EP) to remove the “yellow card” warning placed on Vietnamese seafood, which has impacted not only the livelihood of Vietnamese fishermen, but also millions of European consumers.

Given the ever-evolving world, the Vietnamese and Bulgarian leaders and people should work to further cultivate and forge their long-standing friendship and multi-faceted collaboration, the leader suggested.

As part of the occasion, NA Chairman Hue invited Atanasova and parliamentarians who are members of the Gerb-UDF Party to visit Vietnam in the near future.

Atanasova pledged that the parliamentary group will work to raise more proposals to support Vietnamese rights and interests, going on to suggest that the country should further facilitate the access of Bulgarian products to its market.

She outlined that NA Chairman Hue’s visit demonstrates the importance both countries attach to collaboration in politics, trade, and investment.

Also on September 26, NA Chairman Hue and his entourage visited Burgas city, a centre of industry, transportation, culture, and tourism in Bulgaria’s southeastern region.

Mayor Dimitar Nikolov highlighted the sentiments that both him and Burgas residents have towards Vietnam, saying Burgas established twinning relationship with the northern province of Quang Ninh in 2013.  
 
Mayor Nikolov expressed his hope for stronger co-operation with Vietnam in education, as well as for expanded collaboration with other Vietnamese localities.

In response, NA Chairman Hue suggested that Mayor Nikolov visit Vietnam and Quang Ninh at an early date to promote relations, especially in tourism.

The Mayor said he is impressed by the outstanding development achievements recorded by the country, suggesting that Vietnam move to open Vietnamese language classes in Bulgarian localities as a contribution to promoting their mutual understanding and friendship.  

Burgas authorities always offer the optimal conditions possible for businesses to operate in the locality, he said, adding that the city is building industrial parks and will zone off land for Vietnamese investors.

The city will also work as a bridge for Vietnamese enterprises based in Europe and create the best conditions for Vietnamese people to integrate into the host society, he said.

The official proposed that the Vietnam-Bulgaria inter-governmental committee add tourism to its agenda, which is the city’s strength. His suggestions received the support from the Vietnamese NA leader.

While in Burgas, NA Chairman Hue visited BMF Port Burgas built in 2011 and the Burgas Museum of Ethnography.

This marks the final activity of the official visit to Bulgaria of NA Chairman Hue and his delegation.