Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue (left) had talks with Republic of Korea Prime MinisterKim Bu-gyeom in Seoul on Tuesday.

The RoK Government leader welcomed the visit as a launchpad for a series of commemorative events celebrating 20 years of Việt Nam-RoK diplomatic ties in 2022, saying that the growing parliamentary ties between Việt Nam and RoK reflect the two people’s wishes.

RoK PM congratulated Vietnam for its increasingly elevated profile on the international stage, stressing that RoK cherishes its relationship with Vietnam and continues to consider Vietnam a key partner in its New Southern Policy.

NA Chair Hue informed Kim Boo-kyum of the outcomes of the talks with RoK counterpart Park Byeong-seug the day before, underlining Việt Nam’s wish to cooperate further with RoK on several fronts, especially trade and investment.

He noted with pleasure how bilateral economic ties remain strong and secure despite COVID-19 headwinds.

At the meeting, the two sides agreed to several measures to boost bilateral ties in 2022, the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as the expansion of security and defence cooperation.

The leaders of the two countries reaffirmed efforts to achieve the goal of raising bilateral trade to over US$100 billion by 2023 and $150 billion by 2030, encouraging RoK enterprises to continue investing in and expanding their businesses in Vietnam.

NA Chair Hue said the Vietnamese legislation will accompany the Government in creating favourable policies and guaranteeing long-term interests for RoK enterprises in Vietnam.

The Vietnamese top legislator said the many questions RoK enterprises put forward in the recent RoK-Việt Nam business forum shows how interested they are in trading with Vietnam and the opportunities for further economic cooperation between the two sides.

NA Chair Hue and PM Kim Boo-kyum expressed delight that the two countries have signed a bilateral social insurance agreement that helps RoK and Vietnamese workers in the host countries to get better access to social welfare policies.

The two sides agreed to boost information exchange with regards to COVID-19 response plans and post-pandemic recovery, facilitating people travelling between the two countries, including mutually recognising each other vaccine passports and resuming two-way flights soon.

NA Hue also thanked the Government and people of Korea for their medical support to Việt Nam, including a donation of nearly 1.4 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines, proposing that the two sides actively cooperate in research, development technology transfer for the production of vaccines and medicines, not only for the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Vietnamese parliament leader thanked the RoK for its attention and support to the Vietnamese community in RoK, especially during the pandemic, and expressed his hope that the RoK will continue to help ensure the legitimate rights of the Vietnamese workers and the happy, stable life of multicultural families.

PM Kim Boo-kyum thanked the Vietnamese side for actively supporting RoK businesses in Vietnam, especially in avoiding disruption of the supply chain in Việt Nam due to COVID-19.

He highly appreciates Vietnam’s help in dealing with the lack of raw materials for the production of diesel engine exhaust fluid and hopes that the two sides will cooperate closely in this field in the near future.

There remain ample room for Vietnam-RoK cooperation in development research: NA Chairman

There remain ample room for cooperation in research and policy sharing between Vietnam and the Republic of Korea (RoK), National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue said while receiving Director of the Korea Development Institute (KDI) Hong Jang-pyo in Seoul on December 14, as part of the top Vietnamese legislator’s official visit to the RoK.

Development research is a leading important sector for the fortune of each nation, and the Vietnamese State has paid due attention to this sphere, Hue said, adding that Vietnam has actively learned from foreign countries’ development experience.

Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Vietnam hoped that the RoK will share its experience in overcoming difficulties and spurring economic recovery and development, as well as the country’s economic strategy in the new period, the leader said.

In reply, Hong briefed the Vietnamese legislator on the operation of the institute that specislises in policy study, consultancy and sharing with most of countries in the world.

Amid the pandemic, the institute has focused on policies on economic recovery, investment and job generation, he said, stressing that the KDI wants to seek suitable Vietnamese partners to exchange research studies.

Bilateral cooperation in training and basic research is necessary and useful for the development of both nations, Hong added.

The same day, Hue attended a roundtable with major Korean groups, during which he introduced Vietnam’s achievements in realising the dual goals of COVID-19 combat and economic recovery and development, especially maintaining macro-economic stability.

Vietnam will resume commercial international flights from early 2022, including those to Seoul, he said, adding that the two countries are also working towards the mutual recognition of vaccine passports to facilitate the travelling of investors, businessmen and people.

At the roundtable, the top legislator, ministers and representatives from ministries cleared up questions raised by Korean firms regarding Vietnam’s strategic development orientations in the time ahead, along with priorities of the Vietnamese legislature in consolidating institutions, and amending and supplementing laws to meet new development requirements and boost the digital economy.

Vietnam commits to building an investment environment that meets international standards, and offers new business opportunities to foreign investors, including those from the RoK, Hue affirmed.

Within the framework of the NA Chairman’s visit, Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung had a working session with his Korean counterpart Hwang Hee in Seoul on December 14.

The two sides signed a cultural exchange programme on activities marking the 30th founding anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties in 2022./.

Source: VNS/VNA