Hanoi (VNA) – The official visit to Bulgaria, starting o🌠n September 23,by Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue is set tofurther intensify the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation betweenthe two countries, including their parliamentary ties.

This isthe first visit to Bulgaria by a chairperson of the Vietnamese NA in 15 years,since the trip by then NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong in 2008. The twocountries boast long-standing friendship and cooperation. Bulgaria was one ofthe first countries in the world to recognise and set up diplomatic ties withVietnam, on February 8, 1950. The official visit to the European country bythen President Ho Chi Minh in August 1957 laid the foundation and marked animportant milestone in the history of bilateral relations. Over thelast more than 70 years, the countries’ Governments and people have unceasinglynurtured their traditional ties in various fields, from politics, diplomacy to culture,science, education, and security-defence. Leadersof Vietnam and Bulgaria have maintained frequent dialogues and taken concretesteps to enhance bilateral cooperation. Trade between the two countries have been growing steadily but yet to live upto potential. Duringthe first eight months of 2023, their trade turnover reached 147.3 million USD,rising 12.5% year on year. It included 96.5 million USD in exports from Vietnamand 50.8 million USD in imports, respectively up 9.6% and 18.2%, according tothe Vietnamese Ministry of Industry and Trade. DeputyMinister of Industry and Trade Do Thang Hai said the two countries hold manyfavourable conditions to foster economic links, including trade and investment.While Vietnam mainly exports its traditional consumer products to Bulgaria, thereremain a number of other consumer goods they are strong at and demand in thetwo markets is substantial. Meanwhile,comprehensive cooperation between the two peoples have been bolstered as seenin the fields of education, tourism, culture, business, and labour. More than30,000 Vietnamese people who used to work and study in Bulgaria in the 1970sand 1980s became leading scientists, experts, and engineers of Vietnam, and theyare still making important contributions to the national development and defencenowadays. Vietnam’s membership of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) andBulgaria’s membership of the European Union (EU) have generated more addedvalue for bilateral cooperation. The dynamic expansion of Vietnam - EU tiesunder the EU - Vietnam Free Trade Agreement (EVFTA) and Investment ProtectionAgreement (EVIPA) has also enriched the potential for business-to-business andpeople-to-people exchanges based on common political priorities between the twocountries. Don Tuan Phong, Vice Chairman of the NA’s Committee for External Relations, notedthat an important part of Chairman Hue’s visit to Bulgaria is to promote thiscountry and the EU’s effective implementation of the EVFTA, and persuade theBulgarian parliament to ratify the EVIPA. The NA Chairman will also have talks and meetings with Bulgarian leaders todiscuss measures for developing cooperation in multiple areas on par with thecountries’ potential and aspirations, he added./.