Manama (VNA) – Permanent Vice Chairman of theNational Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man on March 13 took part in a series ofmeetings on the sidelines of the ongoing 146th Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) Assemblyin Bahrain’s capital of Manama.

At a meeting with Secretary General of the IPU Martin Chungong, Man said the participation in IPU activities is animportant task of the Vietnamese NA in order to join IPU member parliaments in discussingand coming up with solutions to current pressing global issues, thus making contributions to consolidating peace, security and stability in theregion and the world.

Commending the Secretary General’s contributions to thedevelopment of relations between the IPU and the Vietnamese NA over the past time, hewished for further support and close coordination regarding the latter's hosting of the9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in Hanoi this September.

In response, Chungong praised the Vietnamese NA’s capacity inorganising international events, including the 132nd IPU Assembly in2015, and highlighted the strong growth of the relationship between the body and the IPU in recent years.

The IPU is willing to assist the Vietnamese NA’s organisation of similarevents, he affirmed, underscoring that the signing of an agreement between theNA and IPU Secretariat on a method to run the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians demonstratesVietnam's commitment to actively and responsibly engaging in IPU activities.

On the occasion, Man witnessed the signing ceremony of thepact.

Hosting President of the Angolan National Assembly CarolinaCerqueira, Man said the Vietnamese supports strengthening cooperation withAngola in all fields, notably trade, investment, politics, diplomacy,health, and education.

He recommended the two sides speed up the negotiationprocess to soon sign a number of cooperation documents such as agreements on investment,double taxation avoidance, security, and civil aviation.

The two countries’ parliaments should strengthen theirexchange of high-level delegations, supervision of the implementation of signedcooperation agreements, and sharing of experience in law-making, noted theofficial.

For her part, Cerqueira expressed her hope for improvedbilateral cooperation in economy, trade, goods processing, education, health,industry, and marine transport. She also proposed the sides establish parliamentaryfriendship groups.

At another meeting with Speaker of Zambia National Assembly NellyButete Kashumba Mutti, Man suggested that the two countries further promote collaboration in the fields of politics, diplomacy, economy, trade, health andeducation. He affirmed that Vietnam is willing to share development experience with Zambia, especially in agriculture.

The top Zambian legislator said that the two countries can boost cooperation in areas where the two sides have strengths such asagriculture and tourism, and expressed her wish to learn from Vietnam'seconomic development experience.

She said that she will propose the Zambian Ministry ofForeign Affairs consider the application of visa exemption for Vietnamesepeople holding diplomatic and official passports.

On the same day, Man also received Chairman Ali bin Saleh AlSaleh of Bahrain’s Shura Council (upper house).

Themed “Promoting peaceful coexistence and inclusivesocieties: fighting intolerance”, the 146th IPU Assembly runs until March 15./.