Antalya (VNA) - National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with Chairmanof the Mazhilis (lower house) of the parliament of Kazakhstan Nurlan Z. Nigmatulinon the sidelines of the third Meeting of Speakers of Eurasian Countries’Parliaments (MSEAP 3) in Antalya, Turkey, on October 9.

Ngan noted withpleasure the development of the traditional friendship and cooperation between Vietnam and Kazakhstanand their legislative bodies in particular, especially since the Kazakh Embassywas established in Vietnamin 2015.

Vietnamese peoplealways keep in mind the valuable support of Kazakhstan for their past strugglefor national liberation and reunification as well as the present nationalconstruction and development, she said.

Highlighting thefruitful bilateral economic and trade ties, the Vietnamese top legislator saidthe two countries boast substantial potential to further the cooperation.

Ngan said she wasimpressed by Kazakhstan’sattraction of 220 billion USD in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2017, andsuggested the two sides exchange experience in this field.

Vietnam highly appreciates Kazakhstan’sefforts to promote the initiative to launch a railway connecting Kazakhstan, Chinaand Vietnam,she said.

She told theMazhilis Chairman that Vietnam has sent a delegation to the Congress of theLeaders of World and Traditional Religions in Kazakhstan from October 10-11.

On this occasion,Ngan invited the Kazakh lower house leader to pay an official visit to Vietnam.

The leaders acknowledgedthe consolidated bilateral political ties, as seen in the exchange of all-levelvisits and the official signing of the Vietnam-Eurasia Economic Union Free Trade Agreement (VN-EAEU FTA). Theynoted that the VN-EAEUFTA is a milestone that helps elevate the bilateralties to a new high and open up areas for stronger comprehensive cooperation.

Nigmatulin saidthe deal would create opportunities for foreign businesses and investors toaccess the Vietnamese market and open a trade corridor between Vietnam and Kazakhstan.

He affirmed that Vietnam is Kazakhstan’simportant Asian partner and Kazakhstanalways hopes to develop economic and trade relations with the country.

The Kazakhstan parliamentattaches importance to legislative ties with Vietnam, he said, recalling theofficial visit to Kazakhstan by NA Chairwoman Ngan in 2017 that hassignificantly contributed to promoting the relationship between the twocountries.

Kazakhstan has established the Kazakhstan-VietnamFriendship Parliamentarians Group with 40 members, Nigmatulin said, noting hishope that the two sides will share operational experience, especially inlawmaking.-VNA