Parliamentary friendship group works to cement Vietnam’s ties with other ASEAN countries
The Vietnam - ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group on June 14 held its first face-to-face meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss orientations during the 15th tenure of the National Assembly (NA).
Chairman of the Vietnam - ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group Bui Van Cuong (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam - ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group on June 14 held its first face-to-face meeting after the COVID-19 pandemic to discuss orientations during the 15th tenure of the National Assembly (NA).
Addressing the event in Hanoi, Chairman of the group Bui Van Cuong, who is also NA Secretary-General and Chairman of the NA Office, highlighted the importance of exchanges among the countries’ parliamentarians to build and enhance political trust and cooperation.
He said parliamentary cooperation is an effective cooperation channel in Vietnam’s overall relations with other ASEAN countries and needs to be promoted, especially in policy and law making to facilitate cross-border business and investment activities.
Cuong asked members to work harder to boost locality-to-locality ties, suggesting they invite diplomats from ASEAN embassies or parliamentarians of regional countries to visit Vietnamese provinces and cities to introduce local potential and increase cooperation.
He voiced his hope that the group will contribute more to the Vietnamese NA’s partnerships with ASEAN countries, as well as people-to-people relations in the region.
Vice Chairwoman of the group Tran Thi Hong An, who is a permanent member of the NA’s Committee for External Relations, said during the NA’s 15th tenure, the group plans to organise its meetings on the sidelines of the NA’s sessions, along with exchanges with ambassadors and staff of ASEAN embassies to help foster friendships.
The group proposed NA leaders permit its members to take part in diplomatic activities, including visits by Vietnam’s parliamentary delegations to help resolve difficulties facing Vietnamese firms in other ASEAN countries, and assist ASEAN businesses investing in Vietnam.
After the event, the group engaged in a friendship exchange with representatives of the embassies of Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, Brunei and the Philippines./.
The Vietnam visit by Speaker of the Indian Lok Sabha (lower house) Om Birla has made great contributions to the strengthening of the Vietnam-India comprehensive partnership as well as the cooperation between the two parliaments, Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Committee for External Relations Vu Hai Ha has said.
National Assembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on May 1 met with visiting Japanese Prime Minister Kishida Fumio, who said he attaches great importance to promoting cooperation and exchange between the two countries’ parliaments.
Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Vuong Dinh Hue and visiting Speaker of the Singaporean Parliament Tan Chuan-Jin held talks in Hanoi on May 18, sharing view on the need for their countries to further intensify overall relations and parliamentary ties so as to step up the strategic partnership.
Visiting Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Tan Chuan-Jin received Chairman of the Vietnam - ASEAN Friendship Parliamentary Group Bui Van Cuong in Hanoi on May 19.
Lawmakers are set to vote on revisions and amendments to a broad spectrum of legal frameworks and impactful resolutions during the final week of the 15th NA's 9th session.
The State Committee for Overseas Vietnamese Affairs (SCOVA) has served as a bridge connecting and uniting the community with the homeland, becoming a trusted source of support for Vietnamese expats in times of hardship.
The programme to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses has achieved notable results, with nearly 263,000 housing units addressed to date, including 225,000 houses inaugurated and 38,000 under construction. Thirty-eight provinces and cities across the nation have already fulfilled their targets.
Stronger efforts and determination are required to achieve and surpass the set targets, especially in the eradication of makeshift and dilapidated houses nationwide, the acceleration of public investment disbursement, and the implementation of nationally important transport projects, PM Pham Minh Chinh noted.
The trip will be made at the invitations of Chinese Premier Li Qiang and WEF President and CEO Børge Brende, according to an announcement from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Long spoke highly of the dynamic, positive, and comprehensive development of Vietnam – Russia relations in recent years. He affirmed that the Vietnamese Party and State place great importance on further strengthening the comprehensive strategic partnership with Russia in a substantive and effective manner, in line with the development needs of both nations.
At the conference, participants reported that the Government has so far issued 28 decrees on the delegation of responsibilities and powers between the central Government and two-tier local administrations. Several localities have already piloted the new governance model.
Reality is the ultimate benchmark for success, he said, urging drafting agencies to work out policies that foster development, reduce bureaucratic hurdles, and respect practical conditions.
Under the official dispatch signed on June 20, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, and chairpersons of provincial and municipal People’s Committees are requested to concentrate efforts on implementing core measures to ensure the smooth operations of the new administrative framework.
The Party chief underscored the need for the press to innovate relentlessly, evolve to keep pace with the country's development, transform into a truly professional, humanistic, and modern sector that serves the cause of the Party, the State, and the people on the path to national construction and development.
The UN Secretary-General praised Vietnam’s remarkable achievements in socio-economic development and international integration in recent years, noting that the country has emerged as a model in implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), promoting international peace and security, and engaging in key UN processes.
Nghia affirmed that this is a milestone of special significance, affirming and honouring the the Vietnamese revolutionary press’s glorious tradition of 100 years of serving the revolutionary cause of the Party, serving the Fatherland, and serving the people.
The Party and State of Vietnam always attach great importance to and give top priority to the development of Vietnam–China relations. Vietnam is ready to work with the Chinese Party and State to further deepen the Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership and promote the building of the Vietnam-China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.
Under the leadership of President Ho Chi Minh and the CPV, President Cuong said, the press has been a steadfast force on the ideological and cultural front, rallying the masses to pursue national aspirations.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed the need to accelerate the application of artificial intelligence and smart teaching equipment, innovate teaching and assessment methods, and further improve the quality of formal education.
He also pledged that the NA will promote its ongoing supervision, making sure that every promise must lead to results, and every commitment must bring about real changes.
Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien welcomed the proposals put forward by the US side and reiterated Vietnam’s request for consideration of key areas of interest, including reciprocal tariff policies and access for Vietnamese key export products to the US market.
Deputy PM Le Thanh Long proposed countries promote shared values, including building trust, sincerity, and solidarity among nations and peoples; fostering cooperation spirit and responsible behaviour as well as upholding international law and the UN Charter; and placing people at the centre and as the goal, the key player, and the driving force of all policies.
The show, together with a grand parade to be held silmutaneously at Ba Dinh Square in Hanoi, will celebrate the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution, the National Day, and the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army (VPA).
Chairman of the Vietnam - ASEAN Parliamentary Friendship Group Bui Van Cuong (Photo: VNA) 
