National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue receives Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Tonga

On the afternoon of September 15, on the occasion of the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians taking place at the National Convention Center, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Tonga Lord Fakafanua.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Tonga Lord Fakafanua. Photo: Lam Hien

At the meeting, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue warmly welcomed and thanked Tongan Parliament Speaker Lord Fakafanua for attending the Conference, demonstrating the strong support of Lord Fakafanua and the Tongan Parliament for Vietnam, and contributing to the success of the Conference. The National Assembly Chairman said that Vietnam wishes to strengthen relations with the South Pacific island nations and is ready to act as a bridge between countries in the region and ASEAN countries.

Speaker of the Tongan Parliament Lord Fakafanua expressed his honour and joy to be in Vietnam to attend the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference; said that this was his first visit to Vietnam - a beautiful and hospitable country and emphasized that the visit took place at a very meaningful time when the two countries were preparing to establish diplomatic relations; hoped that the meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue would be a good start for the relationship between the two countries' legislative bodies.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue received the Speaker of the Parliament of the Kingdom of Tonga Lord Fakafanua. Photo: Lam Hien

Speaker of the National Assembly Lord Fakafanua also informed Speaker of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue that the King of Tonga had approved the policy of establishing diplomatic relations between Tonga and Vietnam; he believed that the two countries would soon officially sign and that this event would be a testament to the desire of South Pacific countries to further strengthen relations with Vietnam.

The National Assembly Chairman thanked the Kingdom of Tonga for supporting Vietnam to hold the position of member of the United Nations Human Rights Council; informed that Vietnam has a policy of establishing official diplomatic relations with Tonga and is completing related procedures. Currently, the two countries' Parliaments/Assemblies are both members of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The National Assembly Chairman believes that when the two countries establish official diplomatic relations, the relationship between the two countries' legislative bodies will also be further strengthened, including cooperation at international forums.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue presents a souvenir to the President of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga, Lord Fakafanua. Photo: Lam Hien

The President of the Tongan Parliament agreed with the President of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue that Tonga always supports Vietnam to become a non-permanent member of the United Nations Security Council. Both countries are members of the IPU - this is the starting point to strengthen the relationship between the two parliaments, the basis for Tonga as well as the South Pacific island countries to strengthen cooperation with Vietnam, especially when Vietnamese culture has many similarities with the South Pacific island countries.

The Speaker of the Tongan Parliament shared that 10 years ago he was the youngest parliamentarian and is still the Speaker of the Young Parliament; he hopes that through the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly, he will learn and share many good experiences to apply in Tonga's parliamentary activities. Among them are the experiences of Vietnam and the Vietnamese National Assembly in valuing and creating opportunities for young people and young parliamentarians to promote their roles.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue with Chairman of the National Assembly of the Kingdom of Tonga Lord Fakafanua and delegates took a souvenir photo. Photo: Lam Hien

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized that the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries will meet the aspirations of the people, demonstrating Vietnam's willingness to be friends with countries around the world, for peace, cooperation and development. On the basis of the bilateral relationship, parliamentary cooperation will be strengthened, especially the exchange of delegations. The two countries have conditions for deep cooperation in the fields of agriculture, agricultural products, consumer goods, and agricultural machinery. As a rice-producing country, leading in rice export output, Vietnam can fully cooperate and share rice production experience with Tonga, contributing to ensuring food security. Along with that, the two countries can also cooperate in the field of aquaculture.

The Speaker of the Tongan Parliament shared that the countries of the South Pacific region consider climate change a real threat and expressed their desire to cooperate to minimize this challenge. Appreciating the opening speech of the Conference when the Speaker quoted President Ho Chi Minh's saying that "Youth is the spring of society", the Speaker of the Tongan Parliament said that in the process of national development, the youth force is the solution for the future.

The Speaker of the Tongan Parliament said he looked forward to making contributions to the Conference, affirming his support for the adoption of this important Conference Declaration.

On this occasion, the Speaker of the Tongan National Assembly conveyed the greetings of the King of Tonga to the Speaker of the National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and looked forward to welcoming the Speaker of the National Assembly to an official visit to the Kingdom of Tonga.

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