Geneva (VNA) – Chairwoman of theNational Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that the Vietnamese legislature hasregarded joining the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s activities as animportant task in its multilateral parliamentary diplomacy in order to promoteand protect Vietnam’s interests.

The participation also aims to show Vietnam’sviewpoints on global common concern, thus contributing to improving theposition of the legislative body in particular and Vietnam in general in theinternational arena, the NA Chairwoman told IPU President Gabriela Cuevas Barron during theirmeeting in Geneva, Switzerland, on March 24 afternoon (local time). The meetingtook place right after NA Chairwoman Ngan and her entourage arrived in Genevato attend the 138th IPU Assembly (IPU-138) the same day.

Chairwoman Ngan describedthe IPU as a venue for the Vietnam NA to learn from operational experience ofparliaments worldwide to complete and improve the quality of its operation, andcalled for more support of IPU President G. Cuevas Barron during the process.

Thankingthe IPU President for attending the 26th Annual Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum(APPF-26) in Hanoilast January, the top legislator said the President’s presence demonstrated herspecial sentiments and support for the NA as well as the land and people ofVietnam.

She expressed her beliefthat President G. CuevasBarron and the IPU will continue to closely coordinate and assist IPU memberparliaments, including the Vietnamese NA, in conducting activities aiming toaccelerate the implementation of commitments to sustainable development goals(SDGs).

She alsopraised active and proactive contributions of the IPU leader to the union’soperational reform through her initiatives so as to raise the union’s role inregional issues.

TheVietnamese top legislator said she believes that President G. Cuevas Barron will realise her commitments to turning the IPU into a more effective, transparent andresponsible organisation that works to ensure common interests of its memberparliaments, including the Vietnamese NA.

TheVietnamese legislature also acknowledged the IPU’s support in implementing the1992 Constitution, and other activities such as hosting IPU-132, she said,stressing that thanks to such assistance, the Vietnamese NA’s role in the IPUhas been elevated, as reflected through the fact that Vietnam was elected tothe IPU Executive Board, themost supreme agency of the IPU, for 2008-2012 and 2015-2019.

For herpart, President G. Cuevas Barron applaudedVietnam’s participation in IPU activities, noting her hope that the countrywill continue to raise its voice and participate in multilateral forums such asthe IPU and the APPF.

The unionhas drafted the IPU Strategy during 2017-2021 with many action programmes andinclusive policies, she said, urging the Vietnamese legislature to continue itssupport for the organisation.

IPU President G. Cuevas Barron, who is alsoa Mexican Senator, highlighted the fruitful relationship between Vietnam andMexico which are both members of the Comprehensive and ProgressiveTrans-Pacific Partnership(CPTPP).

She pledged to promotecooperation between the IPU and member parliaments, including the VietnameseNA.-VNA