Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman NguyenThi Kim Ngan met with Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Ardeshir Larijanion April 8 on the sidelines of the 140th Assembly of the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion in Doha, Qatar.

The Iranian top legislator recalled memories of his visit toVietnam in 2018 and expressed delight at the partnership development betweenthe two countries and parliaments.

NA Chairwoman Ngan congratulated the Iranian government and peoplefor maintaining socio-political stability and achieving economic progress.

Vietnam and Iran celebrated the fruitful outcomes from theninth meeting of the Joint Committee, while agreeing on various measures to enhancecooperation in different areas such as agriculture, aquaculture, energy,mining, oil and gas, telecommunications, and banking, she noted.

Ngan said she hopes that the two sides will continuecoordinating closely to organise the 10th meeting of the committee within theyear, and work out solutions to boost bilateral affiliation.

The Vietnamese NA leader also proposed that the two sideswork harder together to complete the target of 2 billion USD in trade. Shesuggested that the two countries prioritise the trade of each other’s strongproducts, deal with payment problems to support trading activities, encouragebusinesses of both sides to study each other’s market, and promote trade andinvestment partnership.

Agreeing with his Vietnamese counterpart, Ali ArdeshirLarijani held that banking cooperation is key to a successful partnership. However,Vietnam and Iran have yet to make any negotiations or discussions in the field,he noted, stressing the need for the two sides to develop collaboration.

Ngan said that Vietnam hopes Iran will continue itsprovision of scholarships for Vietnamese students in Persian studies and othersectors; maintain the exchange of lecturers and students among universities; andstrengthen ties in culture and tourism by holding painting exhibitions, filmscreenings, musical performances, and Iranian cultural days in Vietnam andVietnamese cultural days in Iran.

The Iranian Parliament Speaker said that he will assign hisassistants to work on the providing of scholarships to Vietnamese students andsend notice to the Vietnamese side in the next few months.

He added that following his return, he will discuss with theIranian Minister of Culture on the organisation of cultural days in eachcountry, and suggested that Vietnam and Iran increase the import and export offruits and farm produce to each other’s market, paying more attention toagricultural cooperation.

Iran hopes for Vietnam’s technical support in ricecultivation, while fostering partnership in education and customs, he stated. –VNA