Hanoi (VNA) – Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan on May13 held talks with Chairman of the National Council (Upper House) of BhutanTashi Dorji, who is in Vietnam for an official visit and to attend the 16th UNDay of Vesak.

Thisis the first official visit to Vietnam by a high-ranking Bhutan leader sincethe two countries set up diplomatic ties in 2012, Ngan said.

TheVietnamese top legislator expressed her belief that the visit willsignificantly contribute to building and promoting the fruitful friendshipbetween the two States and their peoples.

Shecongratulated Tashi Dorji on his election as Chairman of the National Councilof Bhutan, and believed that under the leadership of the Chairman and otherleaders, Bhutan people will reap more successes and the country will becomemore prosperous.

Forhis part, Tashi Dorji congratulated Ngan for being Vietnam’s first NAChairwoman and expressed his fine impression on Vietnamese land and people.

He spoke highly ofVietnam’s organisation of the 16th UN Day of Vesak 2019 which is taking placeat the Tam Chuc Buddhism Culture Centre in Kim Bang district of northern Ha Namprovince from May 12-14.

NA Chairwoman Nganbriefed her guest on Vietnam’s socio-political-economic situation, saying thecountry’s economy grew 7.08 percent in 2018, the highest pace since 2008.

Last year, thenumber of foreign tourists to the country hit a record high of 15.5 million.Besides, Vietnam has become a destination of foreign investors, with 26,000projects valued at 334 billion USD from 126 countries and territoriesworldwide.

In the sphere oftrade, Vietnam ratified the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific,signed and implemented 12 free trade agreements (FTAs) and is negotiating four others,both bilateral and multilateral.

Of note, thecountry’s hosting of the second summit between the US and the DemocraticPeople’s Republic of Korea (DPRK) in Hanoi last February has proven itsposition as well as international confidence in the country as a responsiblemember of the world community that can contribute to peace, security andstability in the region and the world at large, she said.

TheVietnamese NA leader congratulated Bhutan for achievements that the country –with the highest Gross Happiness Index in the world - has gained so far.

Atthe talks, the two leaders agreed that since the two countries set updiplomatic relations in 2012, the bilateral friendship and cooperation havebeen growing but yet to match the strength and potential of both sides.

Dorjiheld that Vietnam and Bhutan share many similarities in culture and religion,especially Buddhism values and love for peace. Therefore, the two sides canshare experience in national development and expand partnership in variousareas

Amidstthe modest bilateral trade, the two countries should foster collaborationthrough the use of chartered flights, encouraging localities to strengthentheir connections, while fostering the affiliation between the two nationaltourism agencies, he stated.

Nganexpressed her hope that the Chairman will help increase exchanges ofdelegations at all levels and through all channels such as Party, State, NationalAssembly, localities and people-to-people contacts, thus enhancing mutualunderstanding and trust.

Alongside,Bhutan should give more favourable conditions for Vietnamese firms to seekbusiness opportunities in the country, especially in areas of Bhutan’s demandsuch as agricultural machineries and tourism.

TheVietnamese top legislator declared that Vietnam is willing to share experiencewith Bhutan in economic development, especially agriculture, rural development,education and social welfare.

Sheproposed that the two sides soon sign an agreement on visa exemption fordiplomatic and official passport holders, while considering the appointment ofHonorary Consuls in each country to act as bridges for bilateral friendship.

Regardingregional and international issues, Ngan thanked Bhutan for supporting Vietnamat international organisations, showing her hope that Bhutan will continuecollaborating closely with Vietnam for a consensus voice at organisations ofwhich both countries are members.

Currently,Vietnam has been nominated as the only candidate of the Asia-Pacific region forthe seat of a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council in the 2020-2021tenure, she noted, expressing her wish that Bhutan will soon voice its supportto Vietnam in the field.

Speaking highly of Vietnam’s great achievements, Dorji stressed that thecountry has risen to stardom as a good economic development model in the regionamid various challenges, and hoped it will reap further success in the timeahead.

He suggested Vietnam and Bhutan promote bilateral cooperation in agriculture.As Bhutan sees Vietnam as a role model in agricultural development,particularly agriculture mechanization.
 
Regarding the tourism sector, he said that Bhutan, with a total population of700,000 people, focuses on high-quality tourism, and has policies to limit thenumber of foreign visitors so as to protect the environment.

However, as the country looks to welcome more Vietnamese nationals, heexpressed his hope that the Tourism Council of Bhutan and the Vietnam NationalAdministration of Tourism will work together to promote cooperation in thecoming time.

Touching on supporting Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the UNSecurity Council, he said that he will relay the issue to the parliament andthe foreign minister for consideration.

Last year, the two foreign ministersdiscussed measures to set up a bilateral consultation mechanism, he said,wishing that with sound coordination, they will successfully organise their firstmeeting in 2019.

At the talk, he briefed NA Chairwoman Ngan on Bhutan’s parliament, with threetenures since 2008, while hoping to learn experiences from neighbouringcountries, including Vietnam.

The Vietnamese top legislator, for her part, highlighted that since itsestablishment more than seven decades ago, the Vietnamese National Assembly hashad many reforms in its operation and activities and affirmed its increasingrole in the country’s political life.

She wished that the two parliaments will bolster delegation exchanges at alllevels, as well as promote coordination and support for each other atinternational parliamentary forums, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

The same day, NA Chairwoman Ngan hosted a banquet for a high-ranking delegationfrom Bhutan, led by Tashi Dorji.-VNA