Vietnamlawmagazine

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung started his official visit to Belgium on December 4.

During his meeting with European Council (EC) President Herman Van Rompuy, Hung informed of his productive meeting with members of the European Parliament and asked for his continued support in boosting relations between Vietnam and the EU in socio-economic development, poverty reduction and environmental protection.

EU President Van Rompuy recognized Vietnam’s socio-economic progress and was delighted at the completion of the Partnership and Cooperation Agreement. He also supported both sides’ pushing ahead for negotiations of the Free Trade Agreement.

During this visit, a deal was signed in Brussels between both sides outlining how Vietnam was to respond to demands for better healthcare as a middle-income nation. The USD 52.7 million agreement aims to provide services in line with increased living standards and higher expectations of Vietnamese citizens.

On December 8, National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung was received by UK Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg in London.

The Vietnamese legislative leader took the occasion to thank the UK Government, Parliament and people for their official development assistance (ODA) provision and hoped the UK Government and Parliament would continue to help Vietnam to boost cooperation with the EU.

Deputy Prime Minister Clegg believed that opportunities for bilateral cooperation would be further promoted on the basis of the Joint Declaration on Vietnam-UK Strategic Partnership and affirmed that the UK Government would continue its provision of ODA to Vietnam in its national development.-