Vietnam, Mongolia look towards new prospects for cooperation

The Vietnam visit by Chairman of the Mongolian Parliament Demberel Damdin will open up new prospects for boosting bilateral cooperation between two parliaments as well as traditional friendship between the two countries.

This was stated by Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA), Nguyen Phu Trong at talks with his Mongolian counterpart Demberel Damdin in Hanoi on December 14, immediately after the official welcome ceremony.

The two NA leaders agreed on orientations for cooperation between the two parliaments and the signing of some cooperation agreements in the future.

NA Chairman Trong stressed that Vietnam always attaches great importance to and wished to work together with Mongolia to strengthen friendship and traditional cooperation between the two countries. The Vietnamese Government and its people bear in mind the support and assistance given by Mongolian people to Vietnam.

He said he was delighted that besides the fine political ties, the two countries’ economic ties have been strengthened by relevant ministries and sectors, although they still remain modest.

The NA leader said Vietnam and Mongolia share many similarities, and also have many competitive advantages to develop for mutual benefit. The two governments should continue to encourage and create favourable conditions for their enterprises to do business and raise the operational efficiency of the Inter-governmental Committee of the two countries.

In addition, the two sides need to actively study the feasibility of exchange delegations for culture and arts and tourism cooperation, to enhance friendship and mutual understanding between the two peoples.

The Vietnamese NA leader urged the two parliaments to closely coordinate at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, affirming that Vietnam supports and is ready to be a bridge for Mongolia to boost ties with other ASEAN countries and help it join APEC.

At the talks, they informed each other about the situation in their respective countries and the activities of parliament as well as agreed on measures to bolster friendship and cooperation between the two countries and parliaments for peace, stability and development in the region and the world.

Mr Trong noted with satisfaction the Vietnam-Mongolia positive cooperation at the United Nations and regional and international forums. He spoke highly of the results of the 14th session of the Vietnam-Mongolia Inter-Governmental Committee on Economic, Scientific and Technological Cooperation. As a result, the two NA leaders agreed that both sides would continue to maintain high-level exchange visits to promote political trust and mutual understanding.

The Vietnamese NA leader praised Mongolia for hosting the 19th Annual Meeting of the Asia- Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF) scheduled for January next year while affirming that Vietnam would play as an active member of this important forum.

For his part, Mr Demberel Damdin thanked Vietnamese leaders and people for giving a warm welcome to him and his delegation. He said, “The Mongolian State and people always highly value Vietnam’s important role and position in Southeast Asia and wish to boost and expand their friendship and multi-dimensional cooperation with Vietnam,”

He emphasised the two legislative bodies’ important role in enhancing friendship and cooperation between Mongolia and Vietnam and suggested these bodies should pay more attention to increasing bilateral cooperation in various areas such as healthcare, culture, information, education, mining, electricity and fisheries.

Mr. Demberel Damdin also delivered his country’s wish to learn from Vietnam’s successes in attracting foreign investment. He said, “The Mongolian always dignifies its relations with Vietnam which plays a crucial role in Southeast Asia. After the visit, I believe that the two parliaments’ cooperation would become more effective and steady.”

After the talks, Chairman Trong and Speaker Demberel Damdin signed a cooperation agreement between the two parliaments and witnessed the signing of cooperation deals between the two parliamentary offices and agriculture ministries of the two countries.

This will serve as a legal foundation for the two countries deepen their relations in line with expectation of their leaders and people.

Later in the day, Mr Trong hosted a banquet in honour of Mr Demberel Damdin and his entourage.