Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and her Cubancounterpart Esteban Lazo Hernandez agreed to enhance legislative ties betweenVietnam and Cuba through the exchange of all-level delegations and experiencesharing.

Theconsensus was reached during their talks in Hanoi on June 12, which took placefollowing a welcome ceremony for the Cuban top legislator, who is on anofficial visit to Vietnam from June 11-18.

Hostand guest consented to continue reviewing and updating existing cooperationdocuments and sign more agreements in order to complete the legal framework forthe bilateral relationship.

Theyexpressed their determination to advance the two-way trade to match the closepolitical ties.

Thetwo NAs will support and promote the implementation of cooperative programmesand projects, particularly those in agriculture, consumer goods production,research and production of medicines, health care services, tourisminfrastructure construction and energy.

Theypledged to intensify their collaboration and mutual support at multilateralorganisations and forums, especially the UN, in the interests of each nation,as well as for peace, stability and development in the regions and the world atlarge.

TheVietnam-Cuba and Cuba-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentary Groups will also increasetheir exchange and seek specific measures to increase mutual understanding andconsolidate the friendship and cooperation between the two NAs in the comingtime.

NAChairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan stressed that the Vietnamese legislature plansto promote parliamentary diplomacy, expand bilateral activities with othercountries’ parliaments and take an active role at multilateral forums andregional and international inter-parliamentary organisations.

Vietnampersistently pursues a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralisationand diversification of relations and intensive international integration, sheaffirmed.

Thecountry will continue to work to contribute to maintaining peace and stability,while protecting sovereignty and territorial integrity on the basis of respectfor international law, the legislative leader said.

TheNA Chairwoman also highlighted the reform efforts of the Vietnameselegislature, which, she said, is gearing towards transparency and publicity.

Ngandescribed the Cuban NA leader’s visit as a new development of the legislativeties as well as the long-standing friendship and comprehensive cooperationbetween the two countries. 

Forhis part, Esteban Lazo Hernandez said the exchange of experience anddelegations will help the two countries understand each other more and setforth measures against challenges.

Cubaunderstands Vietnam’s consistent stance on the international arena and willcontinue to stand by the country, he affirmed.

TheCuban top legislator expressed his hope to learn from Vietnam’s experience in30-year reform, including legislative activities, especially at the grassrootslevel, in order to deal with its current problems.

Afterthe talks, the Cuban NA Chairman delivered a speech at a plenary session of thethird sitting of the 14th NA of Vietnam.

Lateron the day, NA Chairman Ngan will host a banquet for the Cuban NA Chairman andhis entourage.-VNA