National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (right) meets Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Hà Nội on Saturday. — VNA/VNS Photo Dương Giang

HÀ NỘI — The National Assembly (NA) of Việt Nam is keen to enhance its ties with the Armenian parliament and support cooperation between the two governments.

That was the message from NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân who was speaking during a meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in Hà Nội on Saturday.

PM Pashinyan told his host the second meeting of the Việt Nam-Armenia Inter-governmental Committee and a business forum between the two countries will be held in Yerevan, the capital of Armenia in October.
He highly valued Việt Nam’s development achievements and growing prestige in the world, asking for continued support for Armenia at international forums, while Chairwoman Ngân said Việt Nam always attaches importance to enhancing cooperation with traditional partners, including his country.
Although political and diplomatic relations between the two sides have been developing well, delegation exchanges remain modest and economic, trade and investment ties are not on par with the cooperation potential, Ngân noted.
She expressed her hopes that at the second meeting of the Inter-governmental Committee, solutions will be devised to strengthen connections in all fields, especially the exchange of all-level delegations to boost trade and investment partnerships.
The free trade agreement between Việt Nam and the Eurasian Economic Union, of which Armenia is a member, has taken effect. The two countries have also set up an inter-governmental committee for cooperation in economy-trade and science-technique. Meanwhile, Việt Nam and the European Union have also signed a free trade agreement.
Chairwoman Ngân asked the two countries to make the full use of the existing mechanisms to strengthen trade and investment links, helping to develop their economies.
At the meeting, PM Pashinyan said this trip also reinforces parliamentary relations, conveying the invitation of the President of the Armenian NA to Ngân to visit the country, and expressing his belief that the enhancement of parliamentary ties will help foster the countries’ cooperation.
In response, Ngân said the Vietnamese NA will boost bilateral collaboration at regional and international forums, including the Inter-Parliamentary Union.

Seeking trade, investment opportunities

On the same day, the Armenian PM Pashinyan took part in a working session with some major Vietnamese businesses  to seek ways to facilitate bilateral trade and investment.
The event was attended by representatives of the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) and big enterprises in such industries as textile-garment, jewellery, and information technology.
The PM said Armenia is investing big in developing information and digital technology. It has also exported a number of high-tech products in agriculture and processing, which are also the fields the country wants to seek opportunities for investment co-operation.
He said his country is looking for chances for investment and trade partnerships in certain aspects, including textile-garment, agriculture, food, alcoholic beverages and dried fruit export, in which both countries have advantages and potential.
At the session, VCCI Chairman Vũ Tiến Lộc said Việt Nam has a demand for many commodities of Armenia like machinery, equipment and textile-garment materials. Meanwhile, it can also step up the export of aquatic products, farm produce, electronic devices and apparel to the European nation.
PM Pashinyan also showed his interest in Vietnamese coffee products, noting that these might be potential products and if any Vietnamese companies wish, they could be assisted to develop their market in Armenia. — VNS