She made the statement during a meeting with Speaker of theRoK’s NA Moon Hee-sang on the sidelines of the third meeting of Speakers ofEurasian Countries’ Parliaments (MSEAP) in the Turkish city of Antalya onOctober 9.
She thanked the RoK for sending condolences and ahigh-ranking delegation led by Prime Minister Lee Nak-yeon to the state funeralof President Tran Dai Quang.
Expressing delight at the development of the Vietnam – RoKties since the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations on December 22,1992, Ngan said both sides have become partners of top importance in diverseareas.
The top legislator welcomed the RoK’s “New Southern Policy” thatfacilitates ties with ASEAN countries with a focus on Vietnam, affirming that thecountry is ready to serve as a bridge to boost all-around links between the RoKand the grouping.
She called for efforts to reinforce joint work underagreements reached by the two nations’ leaders and the Vietnam – RoK Joint Statement2018 signed during the RoK President’s visit to Vietnam, with parliamentarycooperation as an important channel.
Ngan wished that the two legislatures would work moreclosely together to promote ties between the two States and peoples, and offermutual support at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums, contributingto maintaining peace, stability and development in the region and the world.
Moon, for his part, said the State visit to Vietnam in March2018 by President Moon Jae-in proves that the RoK attaches importance to itsties with Vietnam and other ASEAN member states, during which both sides vowedto lift two-way trade to 100 billion USD by 2020 in a more balanced andsustainable way.
He said the RoK considers Vietnam a priority in its strategyof cooperation with Southeast Asian nations, adding that in order to supportsuch initiative, the RoK legislature has set up the ASEAN – RoKInter-Parliamentary Forum.
The RoK is now the second largest supplier of officialdevelopment assistance and the second largest investor of Vietnam. Bilateralcollaboration across national defence-security, education-training, labour,culture, sports has been expanded. The more than 160,000 citizens living andworking in each side and the over 60,000 RoK – Vietnam multicultural familiesare serving as a bridge for bilateral friendship.
Over the past years, the RoK has also provided solutions tobuild e-government in Vietnam and worked with the country to increase flightsbetween the two nations.
On this occasion, Chairwoman Ngan invited Speaker Moon topay an official visit to Vietnam.-VNA