National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân meets Speaker of the Thai Senate Pornpetch Wichitcholchai in Bangkok on Tuesday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

BANGKOK — National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân has suggested the Vietnamese and Thai legislatures should enhance co-operation to match the strategic partnership of the two countries. 
During a meeting with Speaker of the Thai Senate Pornpetch Wichitcholchai in Bangkok on Tuesday, Ngân spoke highly of the co-operation and mutual support at multilateral forums, adding that people-to-people exchanges will serve as a bridge to reinforce trust, understanding and close collaboration between the two nations. 
Việt Nam’s top legislator said along with Thailand, Việt Nam was an active and responsible member in the process of building an ASEAN Community of unity and sustainable development. 
She expressed her hope the Thai Senate and parliaments of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA)’s member states would support Việt Nam’s stance on the settlement of East Sea issue by peaceful means in line with international law. 
She also expressed her desire the Speaker of the Thai Senate would pay more attention to Thai people of Vietnamese origin and the Thai government would grant citizenship to eligible overseas Vietnamese in Thailand, including those in old age. 
As Việt Nam and Thailand will convene a joint cabinet meeting in Hà Nội in the near future, Ngân proposed the two countries support close liaison between the governments and co-ordinate to monitor the delivery of commitments made. 
Wichitcholchai welcomed the visit by Ngân and her entourage to attend the 40th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA 40) in Thailand.
He believed that as a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2020–21 tenure and Chair of the AIPA 41 in 2020, Việt Nam would make important contributions to friendship among regional countries in such positions. 
Thailand always supported Việt Nam in issues of shared interest, including issues at sea and other fields, he said. 
The host thanked NA Chairwoman for inviting delegations from the Thai Senate, House of Representatives, and Thailand–Việt Nam friendship parliamentarians’ group to visit Việt Nam, adding the Thai Senate was willing to welcome delegations from the Vietnamese NA to share law making experience, thus further contributing to bilateral links. 
He said his office is always ready to receive the Vietnamese Ambassador to discuss and promptly deal with issues related to overseas Vietnamese in Thailand.
The Thai Senate Speaker also said Thailand supported and was willing to share experience with Việt Nam in its capacity as Chair of AIPA 41. — VNS