Doha (VNA)– Vietnam is Kazakhstan’s important partner in Southeast Asia, affirmed Chairman of the Mazhilis (lowerhouse) of the Parliament of Kazakhstan Nurlan Nigmatulin.

He made the affirmation at his meeting with Chairwoman of the NationalAssembly of Vietnam Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan in Doha, Qatar, on April 8, on thesidelines of the 140th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).

He said Kazakhstan is interested in boosting parliamentary cooperation with theNational Assembly of Vietnam, while informing that he plans to make an officialvisit to Vietnam at the invitation of Chairwoman Ngan at the end of this year.

The two countries conducted dialogues to step up their cooperation over thepast time as 2019 marks the 27th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties, henoted.

Congratulating Kazakhstan on its successful election, Ngan said she isdelighted that the country’s new leaders asserted their viewpoint of enhancingthe cooperation with Vietnam.

She briefed the Kazakh leader on Vietnam’s socio-economic performance in 2018and the country’s hosting of the second Summit between the US and theDemocratic People’s Republic of Korea, saying Vietnam andthe National Assembly are keen on cooperation priorities with Kazakhstan.

The leaders shared their joy that the bilateral political ties are growing, butpointed out that trade remains modest, failing to explore the respectivepotential and meet expectations.

As a direct air route between the two countries is still absent, Ngan suggestedboosting aviation cooperation along with assessing the results of theimplementation of Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union Free Trade Agreement formaking the best use of the deal.

She also suggested the organization of a Vietnam-Kazakhstan economic forum,exhibitions and fairs during the upcoming visit by Chairman Nurlan Nigmatulin forbusinesspeople to seek more cooperation opportunities.

Chairman Nurlan Nigmatulin said he will relay the proposal on aviation cooperationto the Kazakh Government as the cooperation would help create a new momentumfor the two countries’ trade-economic partnership.

He suggested the economic forum be organized in both countries, asserting thatthe lower house of the Parliament will support the two governments in theissue.

The leader expressed his hope that Kazakhstan and Vietnam would sign amemorandum of understanding or a cooperation agreement to step up parliamentarycooperation during his upcoming Vietnam visit.

At the meeting, he handed over an invitation letter to Chairwoman Ngan invitingher to attend the fourth Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Parliaments hosted byKazakhstan.-VNA