Budapest (VNA) – Hungarian National Assembly Speaker Szili Katalin said Hungary considers Vietnam its strategic partner during talks with visiting Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Phu Trong in Budapest on June 16.

Vietnam ’s NA Chairman Nguyen Phu Trong, leading a high-ranking Vietnamese NA delegation made his first step to Hungary on June 15.

At the talks, Hungarian NA Speaker Katalin said in addition to promoting cooperation in economic, trade, cultural and other fields, the two parliaments should boost cooperation in dealing with issues emerging in the 21st century.
The Hungarian official acknowledged progresses in relations between the two NAs, particularly efforts of the Parliamentarians’ Friendship Groups in both countries to foster bilateral relations.

Hungary was also eager to exchange with Vietnam experiences in developing into a market economy, particularly its experiences in law making, Katalin said, adding that the country is also keen to assist and cooperate with Vietnam in its fields of forte such as healthcare, education and tourism.

NA Chairman Trong thanked the Hungarian Government and people for their valuable support in the past and present time.

He warmly congratulated recent achievements Hungary has made, especially in gaining membership in the European Union (EU).

Trong said the EU now is Vietnam ’s leading partner not only in economic, trade and investment fields but also in political and cultural spheres.

“ Vietnam always attaches importance to the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Hungary ,” Chairman Trong said.

He also said he hoped Hungary would help Vietnam to penetrate the EU market and develop a comprehensive cooperation with the group.

NA Chairman Trong agreed with his host that Vietnam and Hungary need to strengthen and expand cooperation in economics, trade, investment, culture, tourism, education, training, health care, pharmaceuticals and environment.

The top legislator called on the government and legislature of Hungary to encourage local businesses to increase investment in the Southeast Asian country, particularly in areas Hungary boasts strengths and hi-tech qualifications.

He applauded Hungary ’s measures to beef up bilateral ties with Vietnam and thanked the European nation’s support for its bids to join the World Trade Organisation (WTO) and to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council for the 2008-09 term.

The chairman said he hoped the legislative bodies of Vietnam and Hungary will increase reciprocal consultation on international issues of mutual concern, boost cooperation at inter-parliamentary forums and promote mutual support between the two governments in regional and global organisations.
Chairman Trong also thanked Hungary for creating favourable conditions for more than 4,000 overseas Vietnamese to live, study and work in the country. He said the Vietnamese community is an important bridge for development of the friendship and cooperation between the two nations.

After their talks, Chairman Trong and Speaker Katalin signed an agreement to enhance bilateral relations between the two legislatures.

During a later press briefing, both leaders expressed pleasure at the outcomes of the talks, noting the two sides agreed on a wide range of issues and concrete measures to foster the cooperation and friendship between the two law-making bodies and believed in the bright prospect of cooperative ties in the future.

Speaker Szili Katalin hosted a banquet the same day in honour of NA Chairman Trong and his high-ranking entourage.

Earlier, the Vietnamese delegation was welcomed by representatives from the legislative bodies of Pakistan and Turkey during stop-overs in Islamabad and Ankara .

At the Esenboga International Airport , NA Chairman Trong met with Turkish President Abdullah Gull, who wished the delegation’s tour of European nations a success.

Chairman Trong praised Turkey ’s position in the region and the world at large, and noted with pleasure positive progress in economic and trade relations between Vietnam and Turkey . He said he hoped that the relationship will further develop in the years to come.