Sofia (VNA) – Vietnam is resolved toconsolidate and strengthen its relations with Bulgaria in all the Party,legislature, government and people-to-people diplomacy channels, as well asconnectivity between businesses and localities of the two countries, NationalAssembly (NA) Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue told Chairwoman of the BulgarianSocialist Party (BSP) Korneliya Ninova, who is also President of the ParliamentaryGroup "BSP for Bulgaria".

At the meeting on September 26 (Bulgaria time), part of Hue’s official visit toBulgaria, the Vietnamese top legislator thanked the Bulgarian NA for approvingthe EU-Vietnam Investment Protection Agreement (EVIPA) just before his visit, which he said is an important step for the agreement to take effect.

The leader lauded contributions by Ninova and membersof the BSP parliamentary group to the new memorandum of understanding oncooperation between the two legislatures signed during his visit.

Vietnam treasures the time-honoured friendship withBulgaria – one of the first 10 countries to establish diplomatic ties with theSoutheast Asian nation, he stressed, appreciating Bulgaria’s whole-heartedsupport to Vietnam in its past struggle for national liberation andreunification.  

The Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) iswilling to closely cooperate with Bulgarian political parties, contributing topromoting cooperation between the two countries across spheres, consolidatingtheir mutual trust, and enhancing the relations in the State channelintensively, substantively and effectively, he went on.

Hue spoke highly of cooperation between the CPV andthe BSP, and noted his hope that they will step up theexchange of experience in Party building and education about the traditionalfriendship and cooperation.

The top legislator invited Ninova and other members of the BSP parliamentary group to visit Vietnam and conveyed an invitation fromParty General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong to the BSP leader, who accepted the invitations with pleasure.

Ninova said she believes that the EVIPA, onceput into force, will help the two countries raise competitiveness of theirgoods and attract more investments.

Vietnam and Bulgaria should further tap theircooperation potential, and foster collaboration in both traditional and potential new areas, she said.   

The BSP and itsparliamentary group always wish to promote the traditional friendship andmulti-faceted cooperation with Vietnam, she affirmed, adding that as a bridgebetween Asia and Europe, Bulgaria stands ready to work to reinforce the connectivitybetween the two countries as well as the two regions.

The same day, Huereceived Desislava Atanasova, Chairwoman of the GERB-UDF parliamentary group, whoexpressed her belief that after the Vietnamese leader’s visit, the Vietnam-Bulgariarelationship will see new developments in many spheres.

Hue said on the basis of the MoUbetween the two legislative bodies, the Vietnamese NA will do its best topromote the Vietnam-Bulgaria relations, expressing his hope that Atanasova and other members of the GERB-UDFparliamentary group will continue their support for the enhancement of thebilateral legislative ties as well as thetraditional friendship and multi-faceted between the two countries.

He called on Atanasova and the group to urge the European Parliament (EP)to remove the “yellow card” warning on Vietnamese seafood, which has impactednot only the livelihood of Vietnamese fishermen, but also millions of Europeanconsumers.

Given the evolving world,Vietnamese and Bulgarian leaders and people should further cultivate and forgetheir long-standing friendship and multi-faceted collaboration, the leadersuggested.

On this occasion, Hueinvited Atanasova and parliamentarians who are members of the Gerb-UDF Party tovisit Vietnam in the time ahead.

Atanasova pledgedthat the parliamentary group will raise more proposals to supportVietnam’s rights and interests, and suggested Vietnam further facilitate theaccess of Bulgarian products to its market.

She held that Hue’svisit has demonstrated the importance both countries attach to their cooperationin politics, trade and investment.

Also on September 26,Hue and his entourage visited Burgas city – a centre of industry,transportation, culture and tourism in Bulgaria’s southeastern region.

Mayor Dimitar Nikolovhighlighted the sentiments of him and Burgas residents to Vietnam, saying Burgas established twinningrelationship with Vietnam’s northern province of Quang Ninh in 2013.  
 
Nikolov expressed hishope for stronger cooperation with Vietnam in education, and for expandedcollaboration with other Vietnamese localities.

Hue suggested Nikolovvisit Vietnam and Quang Ninh at an early date to promote the relations,especially in tourism.

Nikolov said he isimpressed by Vietnam’s outstanding development achievements, and suggestedVietnam open Vietnamese language classes in Bulgarian localities, contributing topromoting their mutual understanding and friendship.  

Burgas authorities alwayscreate favourable conditions for businesses to operate in the locality, hesaid, adding that the city is building industrial parks and will zone off landfor Vietnamese investors.

The city will also work as a bridge forVietnamese enterprises in Europe and create optimal conditions for Vietnamese people tointegrate into the host society, he said.

The official suggested theVietnam-Bulgaria inter-governmetnal committee add tourism to its agenda, which is the city’s strength. His suggestions received the supportfrom the Vietnamese top legislator.

While in Burgas,Hue visited BMF Port Burgas built in 2011, and the Burgas Museum of Ethnography./.