On behalf of the Vietnamese National Assembly, the National Assembly Chairman warmly welcomed Mr. Jussi Halla-aho and his delegation to an official visit to Vietnam. Emphasizing that this is the first visit by the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament in 14 years, the National Assembly Chairman expressed his belief that this visit by the Speaker will be an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Finland Jussi Halla-aho. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA
Speaker of the National Assembly Jussi Halla-aho was pleased to pay an official visit to Vietnam, saying that in 2023, when the two countries celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, Finland welcomed many high-ranking and all-level delegations from Vietnam. Emphasizing that the visit to Finland by Speaker of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue in 2021 contributed to opening up many new opportunities for cooperation between the two legislative bodies, promoting trade and cooperation between the two countries; saying that the Finnish Parliament has a parliamentary group with ASEAN, cooperating within the framework of the European Union (EU) and the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU).
Speaker of the National Assembly Jussi Halla-aho expressed his delight at the shift from development aid to development cooperation and the promotion of trade cooperation on the basis of mutual benefit. He said that this was a good development in bilateral relations and emphasized that Vietnam is one of Finland's important trade partners in ASEAN. Over the past 50 years, the trade turnover between the two countries has increased significantly.
National Assembly Chairman Jussi Halla-aho said that the Investment Protection Agreement between Vietnam and the European Union (EVIPA) has been ratified by the Finnish Parliament. In addition, Finland also has a separate Product Investment Protection Agreement with Vietnam. The two sides still have a lot of potential for cooperation, including in the fields of energy, information technology, education, etc.
Photo caption: National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue holds talks with Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Finland Jussi Halla-aho. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that Vietnam attaches importance to developing the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Finland; he is pleased to see the positive development of bilateral cooperation, especially in politics - diplomacy, economics - trade, development cooperation, education - training, etc.
Welcoming the two countries' many meaningful activities on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations in 2023, the National Assembly Chairman suggested that the two sides continue to promote delegation exchanges, including high-level delegations and delegations at ministerial, sectoral, local and business levels, to effectively implement existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms. Finland supports strengthening relations between the Communist Party of Vietnam and Finnish political parties through appropriate forms of cooperation.
The National Assembly Chairman highly appreciated the effective cooperation and mutual support between the two countries at multilateral forums, especially at the United Nations; thanked and asked Finland to continue supporting Vietnam in strengthening its comprehensive cooperation with the European Union (EU). Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge for Finland to strengthen its relations with ASEAN.
Relevant agencies of the two countries coordinate closely, maximize benefits from the EVFTA, and enhance trade and investment connectivity.
According to the National Assembly Chairman, the bilateral turnover of nearly 380 million USD in 2023 is still modest compared to the potential; affirming that Vietnam is ready to facilitate trade cooperation, hoping that Finland will continue to facilitate Vietnam's key export products to the Finnish market (iron and steel products, machinery, equipment, means of transport and spare parts, textiles and textile, garment, leather and footwear accessories, etc.).
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue holds talks with Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Finland Jussi Halla-aho. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA
Thanking the Finnish Parliament for ratifying the EVIPA, the Speaker of the Parliament hopes that Finland will continue to influence the remaining Parliaments in the EU to soon complete the ratification of this Agreement. According to the Speaker of the Parliament, the EVIPA will open up new cooperation opportunities for the business communities of the two countries, especially in potential areas such as green economy, digital transformation, high technology, telecommunications, renewable energy, environment, water treatment, forest technology, information and communication technology, and smart cities.
Along with that, Finland supports the European Commission (EC) to soon remove the IUU yellow card for Vietnam's seafood exports, thereby supporting Vietnam's socio-economic development, while European consumers have access to good quality seafood at competitive prices. The Vietnamese National Assembly has passed a series of laws, including controlling and combating illegal fishing. This is for the practical benefit of Vietnam itself, for sustainable development, as well as implementing commitments at COP26.
The Vietnamese National Assembly highly appreciated the two sides for signing the Framework Agreement between the two Governments on projects funded under the Finnish Public Investment Programme and the Vietnam Transition Assessment Report in June 2021, creating a framework for implementing projects using ODA and preferential loans funded by the Finnish Government, contributing to Vietnam's socio-economic development.
Considering that the number of Vietnamese students in Finland is currently quite large, an important resource for Vietnam in realizing development goals, the National Assembly Chairman hopes that Finland will pay attention and further promote cooperation between the two countries in this field; help train Vietnamese human resources in innovation and entrepreneurship; support experts in general education programs; and cooperate in labor (information technology, health, education, agriculture, etc.).
Finland continues to provide Vietnam with resources to develop the Forestry Sector Information Management System (FORMIS), strengthen capacity in forest governance, including the implementation of the CITES Convention. Finland, in coordination with the EU, continues to support Vietnam in implementing the Voluntary Partnership Agreement on Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade (VPA/FLEGT), promoting the export of legal timber from Vietnam to the EU.
Vietnam has issued the Power Plan VIII, which includes the development of renewable energy. The National Assembly Chairman suggested that both sides proactively disseminate information to the business community, organize programs to promote trade and investment cooperation between Finland and Vietnamese enterprises, organizations and agencies to promote investment and technology transfer from Finland to Vietnam, helping to promote the development of energy and industrial sectors in Vietnam. Finland supports Vietnam in the fields of training officials, coordinating the implementation of humanitarian activities, and peacekeeping abroad; and strengthening cooperation in the fight against crime.
On this occasion, the National Assembly Chairman sincerely thanked the Government, the National Assembly and the people of Finland for their attention and favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community and hoped that Finland would continue to create favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community to live, study and settle down in Finland, making positive contributions to promoting the friendship and cooperation between the two countries.
Speaker of the Parliament of the Republic of Finland Jussi Halla-aho speaks. Photo: Nhan Sang/VNA
At the talks, the two leaders expressed their delight at the good cooperation between the two countries' National Assemblies through the exchange of delegations at the level of Leaders and the Agencies of the National Assembly. Within the framework of multilateral cooperation, the two sides maintain contact, coordination and mutual support at regional and international parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP). The two sides continue to strengthen cooperation in parliamentary diplomacy; increase the exchange of high-level delegations and specialized committees of the National Assembly, enhance exchanges of parliamentarians, including the Vietnam-Finland Parliamentary Group, in relations with ASEAN, female parliamentarians, young parliamentarians; exchange experiences in parliamentary organization and activities to continue to innovate and improve the effectiveness of the National Assembly and its supporting agencies.
National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested that the two countries’ National Assemblies strengthen supervision of the effective implementation of international treaties and cooperation agreements signed between the Governments, ministries, sectors and localities of the two countries; support and enhance connectivity and cooperation between businesses and localities of the two countries; and perfect mechanisms and legal corridors to facilitate cooperation between functional agencies and businesses of the two countries.
Along with that, continue to promote close coordination mechanisms, increase consultation, information exchange, and support each other at multilateral forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership (ASEP)...
Agreeing with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue on promoting educational cooperation between the two countries, the Finnish Parliament Chairman said that Vietnam was chosen as a priority country in Finland's talent promotion program. Over 2,000 Vietnamese students are studying in Finland, the largest number of foreign students in Finland. Along with that, over 10,000 Vietnamese people in Finland are a community that is respected and highly appreciated for their diligence, hard work and sincerity.
The Speaker of the Finnish Parliament expressed his hope that cooperation between Hanoi Law University and the University of Helsinki, Finland will soon be implemented. The two sides are considering signing a memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the two countries' Ministries of Justice.
On this occasion, the Speaker of the Finnish Parliament hoped that the relevant agencies of both sides would discuss ways to resolve difficulties to promote the Finnish Public Investment Support Fund in Vietnam. Regarding this content, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that he would direct the National Assembly Committees to soon work with relevant Vietnamese ministries and branches to find ways to remove procedural difficulties in implementing this Fund.
At the talks, the two sides discussed the international and regional situation of mutual concern. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said that the world situation has complicated and unpredictable developments, however, peace and stability are still the main trends. Vietnam firmly adheres to an independent, self-reliant, diversified and multilateral foreign policy, and is a reliable and responsible partner for peace, cooperation and development. Vietnam is ready to contribute to the development of ASEP - an important forum in the Asia-Europe parliamentary partnership for solidarity, prosperity and a better life for the people.
* Earlier that morning, Speaker of the Finnish Parliament Jussi Halla-aho and the delegation laid wreaths and visited President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum.
According to the program, on the same evening, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue hosted an official reception for Finnish Parliament Chairman Jussi Halla-aho and his delegation on an official visit to Vietnam.
According to VNA/Tin Tuc Newspaper
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