Hanoi (VNA) – A delegation of theVietnamese National Assembly led by its Vice Chairman Senior Lieutenant General TranQuang Phuong is paying a working visit to Iran from December 2-6.

The delegation held talks with Iran's First DeputyParliament Speaker Ali Nikzad, who affirmed that Iran has attached importance to fostering relations with countries in Asia, especially nations in SoutheastAsia, including Vietnam.

He briefed the guests on achievements Iran hasrecorded in health care, science-technology and infrastructure construction,and suggested the two countries activate a trade remedy mechanism, hoping for support from the two governments.

For his part, Phuong highlighted the Vietnam-Iran friendship,cooperation and mutual support in their causes of national defence,construction and development, as well as their similarities despitegeographical distance.

Vietnam and its legislature always treasure the relationship with Iran, and wish it to grow stronger in all government,parliament and people-to-people exchange channels, he said.

The two sides agreed to coordinate in organisingactivities celebrating the 50th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties, step up the exchange of delegations and people-to-people diplomacy,and boost twinned relations between localities.

Phuong said the two countries should facilitate thepenetration of their goods into respective markets, organise trade promotionactivities and business forums, and strengthen collaboration intelecommunications, IT, digital transformation and other areas where  Iran has strengths like nanotechnology, satellite research and space orbit, along withculture, education, tourism and sports.

Regarding Iran's nuclear issue, the legislator notedhis support for the disarmament of weapons of mass destruction, includingnuclear weapons, and respect for rights of countries to use nuclear energy forpeaceful purposes, in line with obligations prescribed in the Treaty on theNon-Proliferation of Nuclear Weapons. He also lauded efforts by relevant sides in addressingthe Iran nuclear issue through dialogues and negotiations.

For the bilateral legislative ties, Phuong suggestedthe two sides increase the exchange of all-level delegations, carry forward the roleof the two countries’ friendship parliamentarians groups, and improve their people's understandingabout the friendship and cooperation.

The two legislatures should continue their closecoordination at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union(IPU), he added.

Phuong conveyed NA Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’sinvitation to the Iranian Parliament's Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf to pay anofficial visit to Vietnam in 2023 when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties.

Earlier, the delegation met with the staff of theVietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community in Iran.

Within the framework of the visit, Do Duc Hong Ha,Vice Chairman of the NA Committee for Judicial Affairs and Chairman of theVietnam-Iran Friendship Parliamentarians Group, met with Rahimi Jahan Abadin, Chairman of the Iran-Vietnam Friendship Parliamentarians Group.

During their conservation, the second this year followingthe online talks in May, the two sides consented to work harder to promote mutualunderstanding and trust between Vietnam and Iran./.