National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R) hosts Senior General Min Aung Hlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services. (Photo: VNA)Hanoi (VNA) – National AssemblyChairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan hosted a reception for Senior General Min AungHlaing, Commander-in-Chief of Myanmar Defence Services, in Hanoi on December19, during which she affirmed that Vietnamese leaders always back strongercooperation between the two countries’ armies.
She highlighted that both Vietnam and Myanmarare members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and share alot of similarities in history. The bilateral long-standing relations have beenbuilt by President Ho Chi Minh and General Aung San, and nurtured bygenerations of leaders and people of the two countries.
The top legislator expressed her pleasure at thegrowing defence partnership, which has been reinforced and developed since SeniorGeneral Min Aung Hlaing’s previous visit to Vietnam in March 2017.
She urged Vietnamese and Myanmar military leadersto instruct relevant agencies to work out suitable forms and measures for the morecomprehensive and effective implementation of bilateral cooperation agreementsin defence.
The Vietnamese NA leader asked Myanmar to supportthe viewpoint of ASEAN and Vietnam on the East Sea issue, which advocates thesettlement of disputes at sea by peaceful means and in line with internationallaw, including the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea(UNCLOS).
Senior General Min Aung Hlaing affirmedMyanmar’s strong support for Vietnam and ASEAN.
He congratulated Vietnam on its remarkableachievements gained over the past time, especially in economy.
There is a plenty of room for cooperationbetween Vietnam and Myanmar, he said, repeating the proposal of transportinggoods by road through Laos instead of by sea to shorten the distance and time.
The Senior General asked Chairwoman Ngan to paymore attention to encouraging Vietnamese businesses to invest in Myanmar.
He noted that Viettel is investing in Myanmarwith the brand of Mytel, and it has become the third biggest telecom operatorin Myanmar. Mytel is expected to rise to the second position soon and take thelead in Myanmar, he added.
Min Aung Hlaing said he was glad to know that thenational flag carrier Vietnam Airlines and the low-cost airline Vietjet Air areincreasing flights to Myanmar, which he said will enable the two countries toboost cooperation in the coming time.
The guest said he hopes more Myanmarparliamentary delegations will visit Vietnam in the coming time to strengthen thecooperation between the two countries’ legislative bodies./.
VNA
