Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son has expressed his delight at the continuing development of bilateral relations between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

During September 27 talks in Sofia with his Bulgarian counterpart Anastas Vasilev Anastasov, Son said that the relationship’s full potential has yet to be tapped.  He reaffirmed that the Vietnamese NA welcomes further bilateral ties in areas such as trade, national defence and security, tourism, and staff training.

He acknowledged Bulgarian people’s support to Vietnam during its past struggle for national independence as well as in the present drive towards development. He also voiced his gratitude at the way the Bulgarian government has assisted its own Vietnamese community.

Vice President of the Bulgarian NA Anastasov spoke highly of Vietnam’s achievements during its Renewal (Doi Moi) period, and reiterated hopes the relationship between the two countries will continue to grow and flourish.

Anastasov committed to accelerate the implementation of the memorandum of understanding, signed by the two legislative bodies in April. He said there remains huge potential for Bulgarian and Vietnamese cooperation in the sectors of agriculture and pharmaceuticals.

He said he backs the 15 day visa exemption offered to Vietnamese and Bulgarian citizens traveling to each other’s countries.

Anastasov welcomed the signing of a Partnership and Cooperation Agreement and the start of negotiations on a Free Trade Agreement between Vietnam and the EU. He also voiced hí support for peaceful settlement of East Sea issues in accordance with international law.

The same day, NA Vice Chairman Son paid a courtesy visit to Bulgarian Vice President Margarita Popova and NA President Tsetsca Tsacheva.

(VOV)