Vietnam has officially assumed the role of President of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and will host the 31st General Assembly of this regional parliamentary organisation in 2010.

Chai Chidchob, President of the Thai National Assembly, handed the AIPA Gavel to Tong Thi Phong, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Assembly, at the closing session of the 30th AIPA General Assembly in Thailand on August 6.

In her acceptance speech, Ms Phong congratulated Chai Chidchob on successfully performing his role as the President of the 30th AIPA General Assembly and said that Vietnam is very proud to take on this duty for next year.

“This is not only an obligation and responsibility of every member state but also an honour and a big task for the Vietnam National Assembly,” Ms Phong said.

She expressed her belief that with support from AIPA member states and its own determination, the Vietnam National Assembly will fulfil its task, helping to promote friendship, cooperation, exchange and mutual understanding within the AIPA community so as to increase the role, position and operational efficiency of this organisation for peace and prosperity in the region and the rest of the world.

Ms Phong invited AIPA member states and observer countries to attend the 31st AIPA General Assembly in Hanoi from September 19-25, 2010.

Prior to the closing ceremony, delegates adopted a joint communiqué and a number of resolutions, including those on regional economic integration, AIPA’s role in ASEAN, the Doha trade talks, promoting democracy and human rights, solutions to the economic recession and financial crisis, increasing inter-parliamentary cooperation, and building the ASEAN identity.

VietNamNet/VOV