(VOVworld)- The Vietnamese National Assembly always backs and facilitates the promotion of cooperation with traditional friends, including Hungary.

Vietnam, Hungary seek stronger parliamentary ties

 During his talks with visiting Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Kover Laszlo in Hanoi on Monday, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung expressed his hope that the visit by the Speaker would mark a new milestone in links between the two legislative bodies and citizens. He said Vietnam always considered Hungary a trustworthy friend in the European Union adding that Vietnamese-Hungarian cooperation will be a crucial bridge for strengthened relations between the EU and ASEAN. He thanked the Hungarian NA for its ratification of the EU-Vietnam Framework Agreement on Comprehensive Partnership and Cooperation (PCA), expressing his hope that the Hungarian legislature will support the early signing of a free trade agreement between Vietnam and the European Free Trade Association (EFTA).

Hungarian Parliamentary Speaker Kover Laszlo spoke highly of the regular exchange of delegations between the two countries and the implementation of a cooperation agreement signed by the two legislative bodies in 2009 as these brought the bilateral relations to a new level. He asserted Hungary’s Look-East foreign policy which aims to set up links with new economic partners following the financial crisis in Europe. He said Hungary wished to share its experience with Vietnam in law making and reform. He said he expects the two sides to step up cooperation between the NA’s agencies and coordination at international parliamentary forums. The Speaker suggested the two NAs establish forums through parliamentarian groups to share their experiences in parliamentary activities.

They also stressed the need to promote people-to-people exchanges and connections in culture and tourism in order to promote mutual understanding. NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung hosted a banquet in honor of his Hungarian guests later the same day.