Canberra (VNA) – Multilateral parliamentary diplomacy plays an important roleamidst the rapid and complex developments in the regional and global situation,Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnamese National Assembly Tong Thi Phong has said.  

Addressingthe first plenary session of the ongoing 28th meeting of theAsia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF 28) in Australia, Phong saidmultilateral parliamentary diplomacy creates dialogue opportunities, helpsbuild trust and prevents conflicts through respect for international law andthe United Nations Charter.

Shesuggested promoting parliamentary partnership in 2020 by enhancing mutualtrust, understanding and respect, and expanding the partnership between theAPPF and the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum, the ASEAN Inter-ParliamentaryAssembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and internationalorganisations.

Theseefforts aim to create more resources and step up cooperation in addressingconflicts and disputes in the spirit of dialogue, openness, construction andmutual support, in line with international law, the legislator said, stressingthe need for parties to exercise self-restraint and avoid actions that violateinternational law and may escalate tensions and complicate the situation.

Phongcalled on APPF member parliaments to join hands with governments, paying moreattention to sustainable development and making sustainable, inclusivedevelopment the regular and long-term orientation for the sake of all sides.

Onthis occasion, the Vietnamese legislature proposed organisinginter-parliamentary cooperation activities for sustainable development in 2020when Vietnam serves as Chair of the AIPA.

Inthe framework of the APPF 28, the Vietnamese NA delegation has activelyparticipated in meetings on politics-security, economy-trade, and the meetingof female parliamentarians.
Onthe sidelines of the APPF 28, Vice Chairwoman Phong met with Speaker of theAustralian House of Representatives Tony Smith.

Shetook the occasion to express sympathy to Australia over human and propertylosses caused by wildfires in the country.

Phongaffirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of attaching importance to the strategicpartnership with Australia. She thanked Australia for continuing to provide officialdevelopment assistance (ODA) to Vietnam and creating favourable conditions forVietnamese expatriates in the country to integrate into host society.  

Shealso thanked Australia for backing Vietnam’s candidacy for a non-permanent seatin the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021 tenure, saying she hopes that thetwo countries will continue their collaboration and mutual support in regional andinternational issues, for peace, stability and development in the region andthe world as well.

Regardingthe bilateral legislative ties, she said the two sides should enhance theoperational efficiency of the two friendship parliamentarians’ groups, as wellas the sharing of working experience between their parliamentarians.

Phongconveyed Vietnamese NA Chairman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan’s invitation to the Speakerof the Australian House of Representatives to attend the 41st General Assembly of the AIPA in the capacity as an observer parliament. Theevent is scheduled to be hosted by Vietnam in late August 2020.

Forhis part, Smith highlighted the thriving relations between Vietnam andAustralia over the past decades, and affirmed that Vietnam holds an importantposition in the hearts of Australians.

Hesaid bilateral cooperation in economy, trade, national defence and security is veryimportant to the bilateral ties, which was touched upon by Prime Minister ScottMorrison during his official visit to Vietnam last August.

Heagreed with the guest on the need to further promote the relations between thetwo parliaments and friendship parliamentarians’ groups./.