Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan held talks with President of the Australian Senate Scott Ryan after an official welcome ceremony in Hanoi on January 21.
At the meeting, Ngan expressed her hope that the high-ranking delegation of the Australian Senate’s current visit to Vietnam, led by Ryan, will contribute to consolidating and promoting the two countries’ strategic partnership.
Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) shakes hands with President of the Australian Senate Scott Ryan. |
The Australian Senate President highlighted that Vietnam-Australia relations are expanding across many sectors, particularly in education, trade, public administration, science-technology, and other strategic cooperation fields.
Agreeing with his host, Ryan highlighted the sound growth of bilateral parliamentary ties based on signed agreements. He added that both sides have sustained their exchange of all-level delegations and experience in parliamentary activities, increased mutual understanding
The Australian parliament has worked closely with Vietnam’s National Assembly in experience exchange and capacity building for deputies and particularly female legislators, he said.
Bilateral trade has grown by 7 percent on an annual basis. Australia has so far invested in 426 projects in Vietnam worth nearly 1.9 billion USD, ranking 19th out of the 128 countries and territories investing in the country.
The NA Chairwoman said she expects Australia to continue its support for Vietnam in developing basic infrastructure, agriculture, rural areas, and a high-quality workforce; alleviating poverty; and adapting to climate change.
Agreeing with Ngan, the Australian senator said Vietnam has affirmed its role in the region and exemplified its responsibility to the international community via engagement in UN peacekeeping missions.
For his part, Ryan agreed with his host in saying that educational cooperation will lay the basis for increasing mutual understanding between the two countries, particularly among their youths.
The Australian official said the relationship shared between the two peoples is a firm foundation for the development of economic ties in specific areas.
He affirmed that Australia wants to stand side-by-side with Vietnam along its development and to help the country sustainably maintain its economic growth via human resources training and policy development programmes.
At the talks, Ngan proposed that the two parliaments increase delegation exchanges at all levels and via all channels, particularly between their specialized committees.
The top legislator also recommended the sides facilitate people-to-people exchange, promote the role of friendship associations and friendship parliamentarians’ groups in both nations, and increase the exchange of such groups.
Source: VNA