National Assembly external affairs' achievements reviewed

The National Assembly's external affairs are an important part of Vietnam's diplomacy. Upholding the foreign policy of the Party and State, the National Assembly has actively participated in regional and international forums.

Vietnam's role at multilateral forums

Vietnam's National Assembly is an active member of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA),theInter-ParliamentaryUnion forFrench-SpeakingParticipants (IPF), and the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF).

Last year National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attended many parliamentary events, including the IPU 138 in Switzerland and the 3rd EurasianParliament SpeakersMeeting in Turkey.

Vietnam hosted the 26thconference of the Asia Pacific Parliamentary Forum, which drew more than 350 foreign participants including Speakers and Deputy Speakers. APPF 26 issued the Hanoi Declaration, setting a new vision for regional parliamentary partnership.

"The Hanoi Declaration sets a new vision for APPF after 25 years of development. It consists of tasks for APPF to carry out to obtain its targets of sustainable, inclusive development and extensive regional economic connectivity. APPF will continue to reform and cooperate closely with multilateral entities", said Ms Ngan.

Vietnam's National Assembly coordinated with the Inter-parliamentary Union and the UNDP to successfully organize the Parliamentary Conference and Sustainable Development Goals in Da Nang in December, 2018.

Boosting bilateral ties

Last year Vietnam received 30 parliamentary delegations and sent 30 parliamentary delegations to other countries.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Committee forExternal Relations Nguyen Van Giau said, "2018 was hectic with delegation exchanges. Visits by the National Assembly Chairwoman to the Netherlands, Turkey, and the Republic of Korea gained practical results. Parliaments have committed to working with governments in carrying out bilateral agreements."

Vietnam's National Assembly signed many agreements with other parliaments including an agreement with Russia's Duma.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said "The Vietnamese National Assembly and Russia's State Duma signed an agreement establishing an Inter-parliamentary Committee.

For the first time Vietnam's Assembly has established a bilateral cooperative mechanism with another legislative body. It illustrates the political trust of their leaders and a determination to further strengthen parliamentary relations."

Vietnam's National Assembly has focused on strengthening parliamentary ties with neighbour countries, with strategic and comprehensive partners, and traditional friends.

(Source: VOV)