Sri Lanka forms parliamentary friendship group with Vietnam
The formation of the Sri Lanka-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group is a key milestone in relations between the two countries as well as between their parliaments, especially as Sri Lanka prepares to welcome a high-level delegation from Vietnam’s National Assembly.
Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, the group’s chairman speaks at the ceremony. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA)ꦜ – The Sri Lanka-Vietnam Parliamentary Friendship Group has officially been launched by the 10th Parliarment of Sri Lanka.
The March 11 launch ceremony saw the attendance of Prime Minister Harini Amarasuriya, Speaker of the Parliarment Jagath Wickramaratne, and Secretary General of the Parliament Kushani Rohanadeera. Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam participated in the event as an honorary guest and co-patron of the group.
Dr. Dammika Patabendi, Minister of Environment, was elected as the group’s chairman, while Hasara Liyanage, a member of parliament, was named its secretary. The group includes 15 members from Sri Lanka’s 10th Parliament.
In his remarks, Speaker Wickramaratne highlighted the long-standing friendship between Vietnam and Sri Lanka, calling the group’s formation a key milestone in relations between the two countries as well as between their parliaments, especially as Sri Lanka prepares to welcome a high-level delegation from Vietnam’s National Assembly. He expressed his hope that the group would foster activities to strengthen ties between the two nations and their legislative bodies.
Delegates at the ceremony (Photo: VNA)
Ambassador Trinh Thi Tam praised the positive cooperation between the two countries and the key role their parliaments have played in strengthening Vietnam-Sri Lanka relations over the past 55 years since diplomatic ties were established in July 1970. She highlighted the parliaments’ role in overseeing government-level agreements and coordination at regional and international mechanisms like the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).
The ambassador voiced confidence that the group would contribute to consolidating relations between the two parliarments and people-to-people exchanges, affirming the Vietnamese Embassy’s readiness to support its activities.
Dr. Patabendi pledged to promote meaningful initiatives to deepen mutual understanding and strengthen the Vietnam-Sri Lanka partnership for the shared benefits of both nations./.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Sri Lanka Trinh Thi Tam assessed that there remains room for bilateral collaboration in Buddhism, culture, tourism, and heritage conservation.
In recent years, trade between Vietnam and Sri Lanka has reached about 300-350 million USD per year. Sri Lanka has invested in around 30 projects in Vietnam while there are four Vietnamese restaurants in Sri Lanka
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).
In particular, in April 2023, the two sides successfully carried out a joint operation that dismantled a major organised, transnational drug trafficking ring involving both Vietnamese and Cambodian suspects.
The Vietnamese Embassy in Israel is closely coordinating with relevant local agencies to stay informed and provide the utmost support possible for Vietnamese nationals.
The launch of Thanh Nien (Young People) newspaper in 1925, even before the founding of the Communist Party of Vietnam, is considered a testament to President Ho Chi Minh’s strategic foresight and strong belief in the guiding power of the revolutionary media.
New Zealand is currently one of Vietnam’s most important partners in the region, marked by a high level of political trust, strong and reliable defence and security cooperation, and increasingly open economic, trade, and investment ties.
Party General Secretary To Lam stressed that the Central Public Security Party Committee must be fully aware of the extremely important role of the People's Public Security force in the country's new revolutionary phase, so as to guide each branch and level of the force as the nation undergoes transformation.
Addressing concerns over university education spending, Son explained that as public universities gain greater autonomy, the Ministry of Finance has scaled back recurrent state funding. “Over the past decade, as autonomy has increased, the State's support has steadily declined”, he noted
Lao Minister of Foreign Affairs Thongsavanh Phomvihane affirmed that the presence of Vietnamese press offices in Laos vividly demonstrates the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations, as the press is not only a means of communication but also an important bridge for spreading consciousness about the history, values, and strategic depth of the Laos – Vietnam relationship to the people of both countries and the international community.
The country is willing to participate in collective efforts to promote cooperation and mobilise resources to advance the current priority issues of developing countries, such as trade, investment, infrastructure connectivity, making the most of scientific and technological advances for development, and people-to-people exchanges, Hang said.
During the negotiations, the US highly evaluated Vietnam’s goodwill and efforts, affirmed its appreciation for the bilateral relationship, acknowledged Vietnam’s proposals and concerns, and considered these an important basis for continuing discussions and moving towards a final agreement.
The Chairman stressed the need for stricter fiscal discipline, faster digital transformation, and more efficient management of State budget revenues and expenditures.
