Vietnam expands cooperation at G20 meeting

The presence of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairman at the consultation of G20 parliamentary leaders as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) Chair reflects Vietnam’s and AIPA’s role, responsibility and commitment in regional and international integration, said Director of the NA Committee for External Relations Nguyen Van Son.

Son, who is also member of the Party Central Committee and the NA Standing Committee, told this to the Vietnam News Agency in an interview granted on the occasion of NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong’s participation at the consultation and official friendship visit to Cuba.

Son said that the first ever consultation of G20 parliamentary leaders and the presence of the AIPA President manifested the importance of the legislative bodies’ role and increasing the coordination between legislative and judiciary agencies.

This was a chance for Vietnam to promote bilateral ties with Canada and other participating countries at the meeting, he said, noting that the Canadian Senate Speaker’s invitation to the Vietnamese NA Chairman to attend the meeting reflected the G20’s attachment of importance to Vietnam .

On the meeting’s main agenda, Son said the organising board proposed the NA Chairman and AIPA-31 President deliver a speech to introduce the first session on strategy coordination and meeting production and food distribution requirements.

Regarding the NA high-ranking delegation’s visit to Cuba, Son said the solidarity, support and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Cuba have constantly developed since the establishment of their diplomatic ties on Dec. 2, 1960.

Despite geographical distance, the Cuban people have always led the world’s movement to support Vietnam ’s past struggles for national independence and freedom and its national construction, he said.

Cuba continues to promote all-round cooperation with Vietnam, especially in construction, traffic, bio-technology, education, healthcare, sports and agriculture, he elaborated.

He went on to say that both sides have always united and supported each other when facing natural disasters and other difficulties.

He highlighted the two countries’ important achievements in socio-economic and external relations fields.

The upcoming visit aims to bring the fine traditional relationship between the two Parties and States to a new height, Son said.

The talks and meetings are intended to discuss in length views and experiences of each country’s socialist construction cause and promote cooperation in various fields and bring into play each country’s potential and strength, meeting their countries’ development requirement, he concluded