National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) and Australian Ambassador Craig Chittick (Source: VNA) Meetingthe Australian ambassador, Chairwoman Ngan expressed her wish that Australiawould continue helping Vietnam improve capacity of its defence-security forcesand consider expanding assistance in bomb and mine clearance and overcoming warconsequences.
Describingeducation as a promising field with nearly 30,000 Vietnamese students studyingin Australia, the chairwoman suggested Australia build training projects forVietnam in the fields of agriculture (training, technical assistance andtechnology transfer) as well as joint scientific research projects.
Shehailed Australia’s increasing position in the world, and proposed the twonations continue mutual support at regional and global forums such as the EastAsia Summit (EAS), the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum and theUnited Nations (UN).
ChairwomanNgan said the Vietnamese NA wants to share legislation experience withAustralia and added that the Vietnam- Australia Friendship Parliamentarians’Group has been established with Head of the NA Office as its chairman.
AmbassadorChittick, for his part, expressed his delight at the close coordination betweenthe embassy and the Vietnamese legislature in gender equality promotionprojects over the past years, adding that gender equality is a major priorityin the embassy’s agenda.
Theambassador said he was satisfied with the bilateral cooperation with highlightsfeatured in three partnership programmes on development and trade, security andinnovation, adding that the embassy has contributed to the innovationpartnership programme to boost innovation in Vietnam.
Onthe East Sea issue, Chittick emphasised the importance of ensuring peace andstability as well as navigation and aviation safety, security and freedom inthe East Sea. He also stressed the need to settle disputes through peacefulmeasures, respect diplomatic and legal processes, observe international law,including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS),and not use force or threaten to use force.
Thediplomat also affirmed that Australia is ready to work closely with Vietnam tosuccessfully organise APEC Year 2017 in the Southeast Asian country.
Whilereceiving New Zealand Ambassador Matthews, Chairwoman Ngan wished that NewZealand would continue assisting Vietnam in promoting sustainable development, particularlyin remote and mountainous areas, enhancing gender equality, climate change adaptationand disaster risk management.
Speakinghighly of New Zealand’s English training courses for Vietnamese lawmakers, sheexpressed desire that the two sides would intensify links between the NA’scommittees and friendship parliamentarians’ groups as well as closelycoordinate at global inter-parliamentary forums, especially at the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion (IPU) Assembly.
Thechairwoman suggested the two nations regularly maintain the exchange ofdelegations and meetings as well as people-to-people exchanges and strengthencooperation in the fields of economy, trade, investment, agriculture,education, science and technology.
AmbassadorMatthews noted that the two countries’ senior leaders have pledged to reinforcebilateral comprehensive partnership, not only in trade, education but also inother areas.
Thediplomat said that, as coastal nations, both New Zealand and Vietnam respectinternational law, which she said, plays an important role in maintaining peaceand stability in the region.-VNA
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