National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân hosted separate receptions for New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning and Philippine Ambassador Noel Servigon in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân hosted separate receptions for New Zealand Ambassador Haike Manning and Philippine Ambassador Noel Servigon in Hà Nội yesterday.

She suggested New Zealand soon allow the entry of Vietnamese fruit, encourage its businesses to invest in the processing of agricultural products in Việt Nam, and support the country in human resources training.

Mentioning the pending Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement, she said both sides should intensify experience sharing to take advantage of regional free trade agreements to boost bilateral trade and investment.

The top legislator also expressed her hope that New Zealand will share its experience in developing sustainable agriculture and responding to climate change, recalling the prolonged drought and saline intrusion and their serious impacts on the Mekong Delta earlier this year.

Haike Manning said that the two countries should increase delegation exchanges, pay attention to co-operation between specialised committees and friendship parliamentarian groups, and increase coordination at international parliamentary forums, especially the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

New Zealand had cooperated with the Mekong Delta province of Bến Tre to improve farmers’ adaptation to climate change and livelihood improvement and wants to expand the cooperative model, he stated.

The country also hopes for further collaboration in boosting exports to the respective countries and to third markets as well, he added.

Meeting with the Filipino Ambassador, Ngân said both sides should implement efficiently existing cooperative mechanisms and continue promoting their strength in maritime cooperation through the implementation of agreements related to search and rescue, response to oil spill incidents, and protection of the sea environment.

She also requested the two Governments create favourable conditions for the two countries’ enterprises, particularly in rice trading.

The diplomat noted his hope that the two sides will expand cooperation between localities and agencies involved in women affairs and drugs prevention, along with intensifying ties between the two legislative bodies. — VNS