(VOVWORLD) - National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on Sunday began official visits to Russia from December 8-12 and Belarus from December 12-14.
The visits are made at the invitation of Valentina Matvienko, Chairwoman of the Federation Council of Russia; Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of Russia; Mikhail Myasnikovich, Speaker of the Council of the Republic of Belarus; and Vladimir Andreichenko, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus. This is Ms Ngan’s first official visit to Russia as Vietnam's top legislator.
In an interview with Russian reporters, Ms Ngan said the visit is of great importance aiming to boost the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and strengthen bilateral legislative ties. During the visit, Ms Ngan and Russian leaders will hold talks on bilateral cooperation in politics, diplomacy, trade, economics, defense, security, science, technology, education, training and other potential areas. Vyacheslav Volodin, Chairman of the State Duma of Russia and Madam Ngan will preside over the first meeting of the inter-parliamentary cooperation committee between Russia’s State Duma and Vietnam’s National Assembly. Ms Ngan said that the Vietnam-Russia Comprehensive Strategic Partnership is developing effectively. She urged the two sides to increase delegation exchanges and cooperation between ministries, sectors, and localities, support each other at international forums, and increase discussion on issues of mutual concern.