(VOVworld) – National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan begins official friendship visits to Laos, Cambodia, and Myanmar. While in Myanmar she will attend the 37th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) from September 29th to October 3rd. Her visits illustrate Vietnam’s policy of international integration and promote the status of Vietnam and its National Assembly internationally.
National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan began a 2-day official friendship visit to Laos at the invitation of her Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou on Monday. After Laos, she will pay a 2-day official friendship visit to Cambodia from September 27 at the invitation of her Cambodian counterpart Samdech Heng Samrin. The National Assembly Chairwoman will pay a 2-day official visit to Myanmar from September 28 at the invitation of her Myanmar counterpart Win Khaing Than.
Besides meetings with high-ranking leaders of these three countries, Ms. Ngan will attend a conference on public debts management, visit Cho Ray – Phnom Penh hospital, and meet with Vietnamese businesses in Myanmar.
Enhancing bilateral parliamentary cooperation
This is the first visit by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan to Laos since she took office. More than 50 years since Vietnam and Laos established diplomatic relations, bilateral friendship, unity, and comprehensive cooperation have prospered. The legislatures of both countries signed an agreement in 2012 to deepen cooperation in all activities and regularly exchange delegations at all levels. The Vietnamese and Lao legislatures have worked closely at regional and international forums including the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), and the International Parliamentary Union (APU). Laos and Vietnam will enhance cooperation to support Laos to fulfill its ASEAN Chairmanship, contribute to ASEAN’s unity and consensus, complete necessary procedures in the ASEAN Community formation, and raise opinions to the ASEAN Community Vision 2025.
Cooperation between the Vietnamese and Cambodian legislatures has been strengthened through exchanging high-level visits and meetings of legislative agencies. During Ms. Ngan’s visit, Vietnam’s National Assembly and Cambodia’s Parliament will enhance cooperation and support each other at regional and international forums.
After 41 years of establishing traditional relations, Vietnam and Myanmar have promoted their traditional friendship and cooperation in 12 prioritized areas. Since the Myanmar’s parliament became an official member of AIPA in September 2011, the relationship between the Vietnamese and Myanmar legislatures have progressed practically with the establishment of parliamentary friendship groups. Ms. Ngan’s visit intends to promote multi-faceted cooperation between Vietnam and Myanmar.
Promoting Vietnam’s status at an international forum
After visiting Myanmar, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan will attend the 37th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly which focuses on promoting the ASEAN Community.
Vietnam’s National Assembly joined AIPA in 1995. Since then it had participated in all AIPA meetings and hosted AIPA Congress in Hanoi in 2002 and 2010. Vietnam’s National Assembly has contributed to the development of AIPA in terms of organization and performance and supported AIPA’s role and its cooperation with ASEAN.