Nhan Dan Newspaper respectfully introduces the full text of the speech of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue: "During an official visit at the invitation of the Speaker of the Bangladeshi Parliament, today I am pleased to talk with you at the Bangladesh Diplomatic Academy, a historic building where His Excellency Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founder of modern Bangladesh, made many important decisions for the country's destiny and development. This is also the "cradle" that trains Bangladesh's leading politicians and diplomats, and has made many important contributions to promoting cooperation, solidarity and friendship among countries and peoples in the region and around the world. Ladies and gentlemen, Bangladesh and Vietnam share many historical similarities. Both countries have gone through decades of national liberation struggles, and share great ideas about national independence, freedom, equality, fraternity, solidarity and international cooperation. Are these the lasting values of humanity? Culture keeps us close to each other today and tomorrow. The Father of the Bangladeshi nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman proposed the slogan "Friendship to all, malice towards none". President Ho Chi Minh also declared many times that Vietnam "makes friends with all democratic countries and makes enemies with no one"; "The government's foreign policy has only one thing, which is to be friendly with all democratic countries in the world to maintain peace". The great thoughts that are similar and the timeless vision of the two leaders continue to be considered by generations of leaders and people of the two countries as the foundation of foreign policy to this day. Our two countries are also blessed by Mother Nature with many beautiful natural landscapes, majestic mountains and rivers, and immense oceans. For many generations of Vietnamese students, the works of the great poet Rabindranath Tagore such as “Clouds and Waves” and “A Heartfelt Offering” are familiar works in the Literature curriculum. As for international friends who love Vietnam, they are certainly familiar with the work “Truyen Kieu” by poet Nguyen Du. Ladies and gentlemen, entering the third decade of the 21st century, the world is changing very rapidly and unpredictably, with many profound and unprecedented changes, creating a picture interwoven with many bright and dark patches. The good news is that peace, cooperation and development continue to be the major trend, the earnest desire of all progressive people around the world. The world economy has made remarkable progress thanks to the rapid progress of the 4.0 industrial revolution, opening up many new opportunities for even the later countries to realize their dream of national prosperity and move towards the aspiration of a world without war, without poverty and sustainable development. At the 9th Global Young Parliamentarians Conference hosted by the Vietnamese National Assembly in Hanoi recently, I further emphasized that in the era of digital transformation, in the explosive conditions of the 4.0 industrial revolution as it is today, no country, no matter how large, can solve global problems on its own, and conversely, even smaller and poorer countries can still find opportunities for development. I believe that in the 4.0 industrial revolution, the future is not simply an extension of the past. That is the opportunity and also the premise for cooperation for developing countries like Vietnam and Bangladesh. But at the same time, geopolitical and geostrategic tensions are increasingly fierce, local conflicts continue in many places, non-traditional security challenges are increasing, especially climate change, severe natural disasters, epidemics, food security, energy security, water resources are causing untold losses to people's lives, threatening and even setting back the development achievements of humanity over the past decades. As UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres commented: "More than 30% of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (of the United Nations) have been stalled or reversed", hunger has returned to 2005 levels. Globalization along with the standards of values, institutions and concepts that have taken root in international life for decades, such as multilateralism, the rule of law are being seriously challenged by the trend of trade protectionism, power politics, the trend of arms race, violations of international law...
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| National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue delivered a policy speech on "Vietnam-Bangladesh Traditional Friendship and Good Cooperation: Striving together for a bright and prosperous future for the two peoples, for peace, stability and development of the region and the world". (Photo: Doan Tan/VNA) |
Ladies and gentlemen, nowhere in the world are the profound changes in the international situation more evident than in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. This is where most of the driving forces of change converge and are subject to many impacts taking place in the world, and this is also the space of security and development that Vietnam and Bangladesh are sharing together. 100 years ago, most of this region was still immersed in the darkness of war, colonization and backwardness. Few people could imagine that a century later, the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean would rise so strongly: This region has affirmed its most dynamic development, leading the trend of economic integration and initiatives for regional connectivity and cooperation; the world's leading geo-economic and geo-political center. But along with that, the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean are also the focus of strategic competition between major countries. Despite enjoying a long period of peace since the Cold War, this is also home to many hot spots with the risk of conflict. The region is also heavily affected by non-traditional security challenges, especially climate change, according to the Asian Development Bank (ADB): Due to climate change, by 2030, about 30% of Asia's population will be economically vulnerable. Located in the heart of Southeast Asia, ASEAN, after 56 years of formation and development, has become one of the most successful regional organizations in the world, symbolizing the great changes of the region. ASEAN has constantly affirmed its great economic potential. With a dynamic and fast-growing market of more than 600 million people, ASEAN has become the 5th largest economy in the world and is forecast to become the 4th largest economy in the world by 2030. The implementation of large-scale, high-standard economic linkages such as RCEP, CPTPP, the network of FTAs and digital economic linkages... is bringing new growth drivers to the region. Cooperation mechanisms initiated and led by ASEAN and playing a central role have become important dialogue mechanisms of increasingly large scale, contributing to peace, stability and prosperity. I would like to briefly share with you the story of Vietnam, which can also be considered a typical story of national solidarity, striving to rise up in the face of profound impacts and changes in the world and the region. Vietnam has always been steadfast on the path of national independence associated with socialism, for the goal of a rich people, a strong country, a fair, democratic and civilized society. Under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the outstanding efforts of the entire nation, Vietnam has achieved many important and comprehensive achievements. From a divided country, experiencing many devastating wars, the Vietnamese people have steadfastly risen to become a reliable partner, currently having diplomatic relations with 192 countries, economic and trade relations with over 230 countries and territories, and being a member of over 60 international organizations. From a poor and backward country, Vietnam has implemented "Doi Moi" since 1986, gradually opened up, risen strongly and become a middle-income developing country with a dynamic economy. By 2022, Vietnam will be in the Top 38 economies with the largest GDP in the world (if calculated by purchasing power parity (PPP) of the IMF, Vietnam will rank 24th in the world). With a turnover of 735 billion USD, Vietnam is in the Top 20 in international trade. Vietnam is a safe and attractive destination, home to more than 37,000 FDI projects with a total capital of nearly 450 billion USD from investors from 142 countries and partners. The poverty rate from 14.5% in 2010 will be more than 4% by 2022 according to the United Nations' multidimensional poverty standards. From a country under embargo, Vietnam has deeply and comprehensively integrated into the international community, becoming an active and responsible member of the international community with many efforts and outstanding marks with 15 FTAs opening up high-standard market relations with 60 countries and partners. Vietnam's blue berets are working side by side with international colleagues at the United Nations Mission in the Central African Republic, South Sudan, and Abyei; working side by side with international friends in rescue operations (such as the recent earthquake in Türkiye). Vietnam has been striving to implement the SDG-2030 Sustainable Development Goals, and is making efforts to realize the goal of Net Zero Emissions by 2050. Vietnam is aiming for great development aspirations, which are: by 2030 becoming a developing, modern industrial country with an upper middle income; by 2045 becoming a developed, high-income country. To realize these great aspirations, we are striving to build democracy, a rule-of-law State and develop a socialist-oriented market economy. In that process, we identify the people as the center, the main subject and driving force of the cause of building and defending the Fatherland. No matter how great the socio-economic achievements are, they are only truly meaningful when they bring practical benefits to the people. Peace and sustainable development can only be achieved when people have a safe, happy and prosperous life. With that spirit, the Vietnamese National Assembly always makes the greatest effort to promote its role in the overall legislative work, creating a legal environment that truly originates from the aspirations of the people and businesses, aiming to ensure the highest legitimate rights and interests of the people and businesses, considering them as top priorities. Ladies and gentlemen, Vietnam and Bangladesh, together with the international community, are all parts closely linked to the world and the flow of the 21st century, requiring us to have new thinking and actions. Therefore, I believe that the increasingly active participation of small and medium-sized countries, the unanimous coordination of Southern countries, are indispensable, especially in solving regional and global issues. All countries, big or small, should truly become responsible partners, together promoting dialogue instead of confrontation; supporting multilateralism instead of unilateral actions; comply with the United Nations Charter and international law instead of power politics, intervention, and imposition. Bangladesh and the ASEAN Community are both located in extremely important strategic positions, and both have the opportunity to actively contribute to building the future development of the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean regions. Vietnam and ASEAN member countries highly appreciate Bangladesh's support for ASEAN's central role and your contributions to the common efforts of the whole region for peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific and Indian Ocean. With a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization, diversification, proactive and active international integration, comprehensive and effective, Vietnam is striving to promote friendly relations and effective cooperation with countries, especially traditional friends like Bangladesh. In particular, the role and position of the Vietnamese National Assembly in foreign affairs is increasingly important, promoting its unique strengths, being a foreign affairs channel that is both State and deeply people-oriented, contributing to deepening and substantively developing Vietnam's bilateral and multilateral relations; promoting regional connectivity and international cooperation and fostering friendship and solidarity with peoples around the world.
Ladies and gentlemen, amidst the myriad changes of the times and the ups and downs of history, the strong development of the traditional friendship and good cooperation between Vietnam and Bangladesh is an immutable constant. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue
Ladies and gentlemen, amidst the many changes of the times and the ups and downs of history, the strong development of the traditional friendship and good cooperation between Vietnam and Bangladesh is an unchanging constant. Political trust has been strengthened through the exchange of visits and contacts at all channels and levels. Up to now, the two sides have established and regularly maintained important cooperation mechanisms, including the Joint Committee on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technical Cooperation. Economic - trade - investment cooperation has become a bright spot, bringing practical benefits to the people and businesses of both sides. Bilateral trade has increased fourfold over the past decade and is approaching the target of 2 billion USD set by the leaders of the two countries. I believe that with the potential market of 170 million people of Bangladesh and 100 million people of Vietnam, our two countries still have a lot of potential and opportunities to further strengthen economic - trade cooperation in the coming time. Amid the rising threat of global food insecurity, the two countries have just extended the Memorandum of Understanding on rice trade until 2027 (providing a maximum of 1 million tons/year to Bangladesh). Vietnam is ready to continue to ensure a stable rice supply for Bangladesh, contributing to supporting Bangladesh in ensuring food security in the current situation. The two sides also coordinated to organize many cultural and people-to-people exchange activities, honoring the leaders of the two countries - the great President Ho Chi Minh and the Father Sheikh Mujibur Rahman - on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations, contributing to deepening understanding between the people of the two countries. At regional and international forums, Vietnam and Bangladesh have closely coordinated together to carry out the United Nations peacekeeping mission, raising their voices to protect the interests of southern countries. Notably, both countries were recently elected to the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2023-2025 term. This is an important advantage for us to promote cooperation in key initiatives on climate change and human rights... In the general development of the cooperation relationship between the two countries, the parliamentary relationship between Vietnam and Bangladesh has also made many great strides. The two countries' parliaments have been closely cooperating to promote and supervise the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two sides. The two sides also regularly exchange delegations and share experiences in parliamentary activities, especially in institutional and legal system building, administrative management, education, tourism and climate change. The two countries' parliaments also coordinate and actively support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums of which the two countries are members, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union General Assembly, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, and the Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Conference, together contributing to peace, stability and development in the region and the world. It can be said that after 5 decades of formation and development, the Vietnam-Bangladesh relationship is growing stronger than ever. To further develop the relationship between the two countries, I would like to propose the following:
First, deepen the political relationship, increase trust and mutual understanding between leaders and all levels and sectors of the two countries. The two sides need to promote the exchange of delegations and contacts at all levels and channels, including the National Assembly channel. Vietnam welcomes and welcomes the high-ranking leaders of Bangladesh to make an official visit. The two countries need to coordinate closely to effectively implement the ASEAN Vision and the Bangladesh Vision on the Indo-Pacific, contributing to ensuring the security and development interests of each side; promote the role of Southern countries in contributing to the formation of an open, inclusive, balanced regional structure and maintaining peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world. The two sides also need to effectively implement existing cooperation mechanisms, while opening up new cooperation channels to meet the interests and concerns of each side.
Second, strengthen economic ties, considering this the focus and driving force for the development of bilateral relations. The two countries need to continue to explore new cooperation potentials in trade, investment, transportation, finance, banking, and customs; increase the sharing of experiences and policies on economic development, economic restructuring, especially green economic development experiences, including the implementation of the "green factory" model in the textile and garment sector; promote cooperation in the fields of green agriculture, clean agriculture to respond to climate change, green technology; create more favorable conditions for businesses of the two countries to do business and invest in each other's markets. Vietnam highly values and hopes to learn from Bangladesh's green economic and green production models.
Third, further deepen defense and security cooperation. Establish new mechanisms and sign new cooperation agreements on security and defense; Strengthen cooperation in the field of United Nations peacekeeping; Cooperate in preventing transnational crimes, counter-terrorism, cyber security, intelligence, and security industry; Together promote regional and global cooperation to respond to emerging challenges such as maritime security. Strengthen cooperation, consultation, exchange, and coordination of positions when proposing initiatives, ideas, and solutions to maintain international peace and security; Share experiences in managing and resolving maritime disputes and cooperation at sea, and cooperation on maritime security.
Fourth, promote people-to-people exchanges, foster solidarity and friendship between the people of the two countries. Vietnam welcomes Bangladeshi people to study, travel, or do business and investment; welcomes Bangladeshi localities to cooperate and establish twin relationships with Vietnamese localities; encourage airlines of the two countries to open suitable flight routes; Further promote tourism and education-training cooperation between the two countries.
Fifth, strengthen cooperation on both bilateral and multilateral channels to respond to the challenges of climate change, rising sea levels, natural disasters, storms, floods, epidemics, water security, etc., calling on the international community and developed countries to increase experience sharing and allocate resources to support developing countries, including Vietnam and Bangladesh. Ladies and gentlemen, we are facing great opportunities to develop the Vietnam-Bangladesh relationship strongly. Let us have faith, act and strive together, the future will certainly be better than the past. Sincerely thank you.
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