Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyễn Mạnh Cường. — VNA/VNS Photo

On the occasion of the official visit by Chairman of the National Assembly of Việt Nam Vương Đình Huệ to the Republic of Bangladesh, which coincides with the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Việt Nam and Bangladesh (1973 - 2023), Vietnamese Ambassador to Bangladesh Nguyễn Mạnh Cường talks to the Vietnam News Agency about the cooperative relationship between the two countries and the role of their respective parliaments.

How do you evaluate the achievements of cooperative relations between the National Assembly of Việt Nam and Bangladesh over the past 50 years?

Over the past five decades, the traditional and friendly relations between Việt Nam and Bangladesh have seen significant development across various domains, encompassing politics, diplomacy, economics, culture, science, education, national security, and defence. Notably, the cooperative relationship between the two countries' parliaments has achieved remarkable milestones, playing a pivotal role in promoting and uniting the three pillars of Party diplomacy, State diplomacy, and people's diplomacy between Việt Nam and Bangladesh.

In recent years, our nations have maintained regular high-level exchanges, with leaders frequently meeting and holding discussions during regional and international forums. Both countries consistently support each other's candidacies for significant positions within multilateral international organisations.

Beyond engagements with the ruling party, our Party maintains strong and ongoing relationships with political parties in Bangladesh, including the Communist Party and the Bangladesh Workers' Party. The establishment of the Bangladesh-Việt Nam Friendship Association in March 2023 marks a significant step towards strengthening cooperation and fostering exchanges between our nations. Bilateral trade has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. In 2018, trade turnover between the two countries stood at approximately US$750 million, but by 2022, it had reached $1.5 billion and continues to expand.

To achieve these impressive results in our bilateral relations, the parliaments of both countries have made substantial contributions. In addition to high-level visits, leaders and parliamentarians from Việt Nam and Bangladesh maintain and cultivate close relationships, exchanging experiences and keeping each other informed about domestic and international developments.

In the realm of multilateral cooperation, the two parliaments continue to collaborate closely and provide mutual support at regional and international parliamentary forums, particularly within the General Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF). This collaboration contributes significantly to the collective development of peace and prosperity in the region and across the globe.

Former President of the IPU and Bangladeshi parliamentarian, Saber Hossain Chowdhury, has consistently shown special sympathy for Việt Nam, supporting the National Assembly of Việt Nam in successfully hosting the 132nd IPU in Hà Nội in 2015, as well as the Professional Conference on the IPU Asia-Pacific region themed “Responding to Climate Change - Actions of Legislators to Achieve SDGs”.

Mr Chowdhury also attended and spoke at the first plenary session during the 26th Annual Conference of the APPF in Hà Nội in 2018. Most recently, the Bangladesh National Assembly dispatched a delegation of four young parliamentarians to participate in the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference held in Hà Nội from September 14-17, 2023.

In which areas should the parliaments of both countries focus on to enhance cooperation?

The strengthening and development of the relationship between Việt Nam and Bangladesh rely on further enhancing the excellent traditional friendship that has been cultivated over the past 50 years. Both countries share remarkable similarities in their historical struggles for liberation and national independence, as well as in their current pursuit of national development. The people of Bangladesh, especially the members of the Bangladesh National Assembly, deeply admire Việt Nam’s historical journey towards independence and unification. They also hold great respect for Việt Nam’s contemporary achievements in development. Furthermore, both countries are committed to a common foreign policy of valuing peace, cooperation, and friendship.

Bangladesh is an emerging economy, experiencing rapid growth despite facing several challenges. It boasts a population of approximately 170 million people, primarily composed of young, dynamic, and creative workers. This demographic profile positions Bangladesh as a promising and potential market for cooperation, investment, and business opportunities for Vietnamese partners across various sectors.

What new developments are expected during the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ to Bangladesh?

Against the backdrop of both countries actively celebrating the 50th anniversary of establishing diplomatic relations, the official visit by National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ to Bangladesh holds special significance.

This visit is anticipated to invigorate and provide fresh impetus to the ongoing development of the enduring friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Việt Nam and Bangladesh. During this visit, we anticipate several significant outcomes, including the official signing of cooperation agreements between the two parliaments and their advisory and assisting agencies. The establishment of Parliamentary Friendship Groups between the two countries will also be announced, facilitating closer parliamentary relations.

Additionally, the leaders of both parliaments will engage in comprehensive discussions on bilateral relations, covering political and diplomatic matters, as well as economic, trade, and investment cooperation.

Furthermore, they will exchange views on global and regional issues of mutual concern. National Assembly Chairman Vương Đình Huệ is also scheduled to attend and deliver a speech at the Bangladesh Diplomatic Academy. He will participate in, speak at, and witness the signing of business cooperation agreements between various companies from both countries during the Policy and Law Forum, aiming to bolster economic, trade, and investment collaboration between Việt Nam and Bangladesh. This visit holds the potential to yield substantial advancements in the multifaceted cooperation between our two nations. — VNS