NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong highly valued Mr Paska’s visit to Vietnam, describing it as an important event to boost the traditional cooperation between the two countries.

Mr Trong noted that the visit took place at a significant time when Vietnam and Slovakia plan to mark the 60^th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties. Vietnam wants to promote the exchange of visit among high-raking delegations to increase mutual understanding, he said.

He expressed gratitude for Slovakia’s support for Vietnam’s admission to the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and its non-permanent membership of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), as well as for Vietnam’s exports of leather-capped shoes to the EU market.

During their talks, the two legislative leaders agreed on the need to enhance cooperative relations between Vietnam and Slovakia.

The Vietnamese legislative leader pledged to strengthen cooperation with the Slovak National Council in the implementation of agreements reached by both sides during Vietnamese State President Nguyen Minh Triet’s visit to Slovakia in December 2009.

Mr Trong stressed that during its development process, Vietnam needs support and investment from Slovakia in various fields, including energy, electricity, medical equipment, science and technology. The two countries should establish an inter-government committee to increase bilateral cooperation, he added.

For his part, Slovak National Council Speaker Pavol Paska expressed his belief that the two countries’ relationship will develop more fruitfully. He appreciated the Vietnamese people’s past struggles against foreign aggressors for national independence and freedom.

Mr Paska said that the Slovak National Council wishes to foster its cooperation with Vietnam, particularly in legislature, inspection and decision on national issues.

Vietnam and Slovakia should fully tap their potential for cooperation and development, especially in the economic field, he said.

After talks, Chairman Trong and Speaker Paska told a press conference that both sides agreed to tighten bilateral ties and promote the exchange of visits.

Vietnam vowed to assist in enhancing cooperation with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA). As a member of the European Union (EU), Slovakia is willing to function as a bridge linking Vietnam with the EU.

Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong accepted the invitation of Slovak National Council Speaker Pavol Paska to visit Slovakia in the near future.