The significance of the National Assembly Chairman's visit to Singapore and Australia

A high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly led by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan successfully concluded an official visit to the Republic of Singapore and the Federal Republic of Australia from November 26 to December 2.

The Vietnamese community in Singapore welcomed National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at Changi International Airport on November 26. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)

On this occasion, Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau gave an interview to VNA reporters about the results of the delegation's visit.

According to Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau, Singaporean leaders highly valued the official visit of the Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly and congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing the 2017 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit Week in Da Nang, considering this as an orientation for the future of APEC.

Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong also appreciated Vietnam for being very proactive and responsible in leading the remaining countries to participate in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).

During her official visit to the Republic of Singapore, on the afternoon of November 27, 2017, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)

Regarding bilateral cooperation, Singaporean leaders affirmed that Singaporean companies and corporations wish to expand their operations in Vietnam, and highly appreciate the investment environment in Vietnam, especially its political stability, policy stability, and confidence in investors.

The dialogue between businesses of the two countries within the framework of the visit of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attracted 190 businesses from the other side to participate, three times higher than the expected number.

Singapore wants to invest in renewable energy sectors, ensuring sustainable development and limiting negative impacts on the environment.

In addition, Singaporean investors also want to continue investing in international-class resorts and propose cooperation in education and research on urban redevelopment investment.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau assessed the official visit to Singapore by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan as important, aiming to further consolidate the Strategic Partnership with Singapore and discuss measures to enhance cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies.

The leaders of both sides agreed that in the coming time, the two sides are determined to regularly exchange high-level delegations, National Assembly agencies, and friendship organizations, promoting the good results of the Strategic Partnership.

Regarding the official visit to Australia by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau said that the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly received a warm welcome from Australian leaders.

Australian officials welcome National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan at Fairbairn military airport in Canberra. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)

At high-level meetings and contacts, the two sides had open and frank exchanges on many practical issues and fields, thereby contributing to enhancing mutual understanding.

Notably, at the hearing of the Australian Senate, the President of the Australian Senate invited President Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan into the meeting room, sat at the chair table and invited all members of the delegation to attend for 35 minutes.

According to Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau, Australian leaders also highly appreciated Vietnam's successful organization of the APEC 2017 Summit Week, expressing their delight at Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Australian Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull's agreement to upgrade the Strategic Partnership between the two countries as soon as possible.

Australian leaders commented that, over 45 years of establishing diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries has continuously developed and become increasingly comprehensive and profound.

Although geographically the two countries are far apart, Vietnam is Australia's 15th largest trading partner and fifth largest in the number of international students.

In addition, in the past three years, the number of Australian students studying in Vietnam has increased rapidly. In 2015, there were 161 students studying and researching, in 2016, there were 261 students, in 2017, there were 340 students, and it is expected that by 2018, this number will be more than 700 people. These are the dynamic young ambassadors of friendship in the future.

At meetings and contacts, Australian leaders assessed Vietnam as a country with much potential for cooperation, especially in the field of tourism.

According to Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop, in 2016, 260,000 Australians visited Vietnam and the number of Australian tourists will increase rapidly because Vietnam has many famous wonders such as Ha Long Bay, Trang An, Son Doong...

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan received Vice President of Australia's ruling Liberal Party Julie Bishop. (Photo: Trong Duc/VNA)

Many tourist destinations in Vietnam are very suitable for the needs of people from developed, high-income countries like Australia.

Particularly during this visit of National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, Australian leaders showed interest and proactively mentioned the East Sea issue.

Australian Foreign Minister Julie Bishop said that the Australian Ministry of Foreign Affairs has just published a White Paper mentioning the East Sea issue.

The consistent view of Australian leaders is that all issues occurring in the East Sea must respect the law, comply with international commitments and laws, especially the ruling of the International Court of Arbitration in The Hague, the Netherlands.

The Foreign Minister said that although Australia is not a country with interests related to the dispute, countries must practice freedom of navigation and Australian Governor-General Peter Cosgrove also has a very clear view on this issue.

During the visit, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan also visited the Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR).

At CSIRO, the National Assembly Chairman witnessed the signing ceremony of the Action Program between the Vietnamese Ministry of Science and Technology and the Australian Ministry of Industry, Science and Innovation.

According to Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau, political and diplomatic relations between Vietnam and Australia have been increasingly enhanced at high and all levels.

The Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly paid an official visit to Australia after nine years and after this visit, the Speaker of the Australian House of Representatives is expected to visit Vietnam in March 2018.

The Governor-General of the Commonwealth of Australia is expected to visit Vietnam after Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc's official visit to the Commonwealth of Australia.

Chairman of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs Committee Nguyen Van Giau affirmed that the official visit to Singapore and Australia by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan was a great success, concluding a year of vibrant foreign affairs activities of the National Assembly.

Overseas visits as well as receptions of Chairmen and Vice Chairmen of National Assemblies of other countries to Vietnam have left a good impression on the relationship between our National Assembly and National Assemblies/Parliaments of other countries around the world, contributing to the realization of Vietnam's foreign policy goals in the process of development and international integration./.

According to Vietnam+