HÀ NỘI — A high-ranking Haitian delegation led by President of the Senate Youri Latortue, on Monday visited with Việt Nam’s National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân, with a reception chaired by the chairwoman at the National Assembly.

On behalf of Việt Nam’s National Assembly, Chairwoman Ngân expressed warm welcome to the Haiti delegation, extolling the visit as the “first bilateral exchange between the two country’s legislative bodies,” and a start of parliamentary co-operation, which will contribute to boosting ties between the two countries.

The Chairwoman briefed the Haiti delegation on Việt Nam’s development in recent times and last term’s National Assembly activities.

She said she was glad the relationship between the two countries had progressed. Ngân said Việt Nam has been following Haiti’s development closely and praised its achievements in its reform efforts.

She also thanked the Haiti government for recognising Việt Nam’s market economy status and for supporting Việt Nam’s bid to become a member of UN Human Rights Council (2014-16 term) as well as UN Economic and Social Council for 2016-18.

Ngân asked for Haiti’s continuing support for Việt Nam in its bid to become a member of UN Security Council for 2020-21 and the country’s candidacy for UNESCO president.

President of Haiti’s Senate Youri Latortue appreciated the welcome the delegation has received, and congratulated Việt Nam on its achievements in nation-building.

Mentioning Việt Nam as an imitable model, Latortue said Haiti is also undergoing profound economic reforms. He noted the co-operation between the two countries in telecommunications, agriculture and Việt Nam’s support for Haiti in keeping its rice prices stable.

In the future, the Senate President said he hoped the two countries would enhance co-operation in these areas and expand to other fields, including manufacturing.

Agreeing with him, NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân said current trade turnover between the two countries is below potential.

She appreciated Haiti’s opening an embassy in the capital city of Hà Nội and said Việt Nam will open a representative office in Haiti when conditions are favourable.

During the talks, the two sides discussed regional and international issues of mutual concern, including the East Sea issue. The two legislative heads agreed that the issue must be resolved via peaceful means, including diplomacy and legal settlements in accordance with international law, especially the 1982 United Nations Convention on Law of the Sea.

To promote parliamentary co-operation, the two sides agreed to establish a bilateral delegation.

On the same day, the Haiti delegation also visited the military-run telecommunication corporation Viettel. — VNS