Hanoi (VNA) - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue’sofficial visit to Bulgaria from September 23-26 will open up a new chapter inthe traditional friendship and fruitful cooperation between the two countries ingeneral and the two parliaments in particular, VietnameseAmbassador to Bulgaria Do Hoang Long has said.

Long told the Vietnam News Agency (VNA)'s reporter that Hue’s visit is ofsignificance for the bilateral relationship, as this is the first high-levelofficial visit of a senior Vietnamese leader after Bulgaria established a new-term National Assembly and Government in June 2023, demonstrating Vietnam’s respectfor traditional friends, as well as its desire for Bulgaria to become a bridgeto promote its extensive cooperation with other European Union (EU) member countries.

The visit has received broad support and welcome fromthe State, Government, Parliament, and people of Bulgaria, he said, adding thatdespite transforming its political regime since 1989, Bulgaria has still considered Vietnam a faithful friend and one of the most important partners in SoutheastAsia.

On February 8, 1950, Bulgaria was one of the first 10 countries in theworld to officially establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, now the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the years of difficulties and hardships of the struggle for national independence and construction, Vietnam always received valuable material and spiritual support from the Government and people of Bulgaria. 

During the visit, the two sides will discuss measures to consolidate and deepen their traditional friendship, deliberate  international and regionalissues of mutual concern, promote multifaceted cooperation, especially in such fieldsas politics - diplomacy, defence-security, economy-trade, science-technology,education-training, culture, sports and tourism, labour and linkages betweenlocalities.

This is also an opportunity for the Vietnamese leader toaffirm the country’s foreign policy of independence and self-reliance,multilateralisation and diversification of international relations for peace,cooperation and development; and confirm that Vietnam continues to be a friend,and a reliable and responsible partner of international friends.

In addition, the visit will also open up chances to promotecultural and people-to-people exchanges, thereby contributing to promoting theimage of the country and people of Vietnam, Long said.

The diplomat went on to say that parliamentary cooperationis also a bright spot in the bilateral relations.

Since the signing of a memorandum of understanding oncooperation between the two parliaments in April 2012, they have maintaineddelegation exchanges, intensified collaboration in legislation, andshared experiences in reforming legal, judicial, administrative documents,building a law-governed state, and making anti-corruption laws, he added./.