Madrid (VNA) – Permanent ViceChairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man held separate talks with VicePresident of the Senate Cristina Narbona and First Vice President ofthe Congress of Deputies of Spain Alfonso Rodriguez in Madrid on March 16.

Man, who is on a visitto Spain, congratulated the country on its holding of the rotating European Council Presidencyin the second half of 2023 and asked it to further promote and turn the ASEAN -EU cooperation into a priority in the EU’s agenda.

He thanked Spain for ratifying the EU- Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) early and called on thecountry, during its European Council Presidency, to help promote the ratification of the EVIPA by the parliaments of other EU members, thus creating momentum for bilateralinvestment on the basis of equality and mutual benefits and helping provide optimumconditions for European firms operating in Vietnam.

The leader proposed Spain continue supportingVietnam’s candidacy for membership in suitable UN mechanisms and keep closecoordination and mutual support at multilateral forums and internationalorganisations, especially the UN, the ASEAN - EU framework, and the Asia - EuropeMeeting (ASEM).

Appealingfor Spain’s support for the European Commission’s early removal of its “yellowcard” warning against Vietnam’s seafood exports to bring about benefits to bothsides, Man affirmed that Vietnam has been exerting efforts to fully andseriously implement the EU’s recommendations related to illegal, unreported andunregulated (IUU) fishing to sustainably develop the fishery sector.

The NA Vice Chairman also expressed his hope that Spain will keep raising a strong voice advocatingASEAN and Vietnam’s stances and viewpoints, including those on ensuringsecurity and safety of navigation and overflight in the region; peacefullyresolving disputes in line with international law, especially the 1982 UNConvention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS); and supporting negotiations on a Code of Conduct (COC) in the East Sea.

He thanked and suggested Spain continue creating favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community to liveand integrate into the local society so that they can help strengthen the twocountries’ friendship and cooperation.

In terms of relations between theVietnamese and Spanish parliaments, both sides voiced their delight at theflourishing cooperation as seen in the maintained coordination and mutualsupport at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion (IPU) and the Asia - Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP), along withdelegation exchanges, especially at high levels.

Welcoming the Vietnamese delegation,Vice President of the Senate Narbona said both the Senate and the Congress ofDeputies of Spain have some parliamentary friendship groups, so the twocountries can establish similar groups to boost exchanges.

Spain opened a trade office inVietnam in 2022 to facilitate Spanish businesses’ operations and contribute tobilateral economic ties, she noted, adding that it is strong at expresswayconstruction, energy, electricity, and water treatment and ready to take partin projects in Vietnam.

Regarding Vietnam’s proposals, shepromised to deliver them to the Senate and related ministries and agencies forconsideration to help further enhance all-round relations.

For his part, Vice President of theCongress of Deputies Rodriguez suggested the two sides promote high-levelmutual visits, saying amid the volatile global situation, both Vietnam andSpain hold many advantages to jointly tap into, including Vietnam’s importantgeographical location in the Asia-Pacific region.

During its EU Council Presidency,Spain will focus on four priorities, namely cooperation in the Indo-Pacificregion, cooperation in guaranteeing maritime security, the connectivity ofeconomies, and natural disaster response, Rodriguez said.

Also on March 16, Man had a working session with Spanish Minister of Consumer Affairs AlbertoGarzon, during which he said Vietnam always treasures and wants to strengthen relations with Spain./.