VietNamNet Bridge – National Assembly (NA) Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung’s visits to Thailand and Japan aim to strengthen legislative ties between Vietnam and these two countries.

NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung.

A high-level NA delegation led by Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung left Hanoi on December 3 for Bangkok to pay official visits to Thailand and Japan from December 3-8.

The visits are made at the President of Thailand’s National Assembly Lan Somsak Kiatsuranon and Japan's Upper House Chair Hirata Kenji.

Since Vietnam and Thailand set up their diplomatic ties in 1976, they have maintained the regular exchanges of delegations including parliamentary delegations.

Since Vietnam’s admission to ASEAN in 1995, the ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries have grown constantly as the two peoples wish in many fields such as politics, economics, trade, investment, education and tourism, contributing to stability and prosperity in the region and the world.

Two-way trade turnover has increased year on year and is expected to reach US$9 billion by the end of 2012. Thailand is one of Vietnam’s ten largest investors with 264 projects worth US$ 6.55 billion.

Vietnam and Japan established their diplomatic relations in 1973 and opened embassies in Hanoi and Tokyo after 1975.

Since 1992 the ties of cooperation and friendship between the two countries have developed considerably in various fields.

Both nations exchange regular visits by senior parliamentary leaders on an annual basis. In 2002, they agreed to upgrade Vietnam-Japan relations under the motto “reliable partners, long-term stability”

Japan supports Vietnam’s Doi Moi (Renewal) process and its regional and global integration through international organizations such as APEC, WTO, ASEM and ARF.

Japan has encouraged the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) to provide technical assistance.

Vietnam and Japan always support each other at international forums, including the UN.

VietNamNet/VOV