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.

NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong (right) greets the Speaker of Mongolia’s Parliament, Demberel Damdin.

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 14^th
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 19^th 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.

VietNamNet/VOV