According to VNA, the President of the Bulgarian National Assembly warmly welcomed the official visit of General Secretary To Lam and his wife along with the high-ranking Vietnamese delegation to Bulgaria.
Emphasizing the importance of General Secretary To Lam's first visit to Bulgaria, National Assembly Chairman Natalia Kiselova affirmed that Bulgaria attaches great importance to and supports the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation with Vietnam, a trusted and important partner of Bulgaria in Southeast Asia.
General Secretary To Lam announced the positive results of the talks with President Rumen Radev and the fact that the two sides have adopted the Joint Statement on upgrading Vietnam - Bulgaria relations to a Strategic Partnership, opening a new chapter for bilateral relations, creating new momentum to promote the relationship to develop deeply, substantially and effectively, thereby contributing to the development of all aspects of each country.
National Assembly Chairwoman Natalia Kiselova emphasized that the stature of the new relationship reflects the strong development and strategic connectivity between Vietnam and Bulgaria, which is of great significance at the time when both countries are entering a new stage of development and in the context of many fluctuations in the world situation.
At the meeting, the two leaders emphasized that parliamentary cooperation is an important pillar in the strategic partnership between the two countries.
The two sides agreed to promote cooperation in the coming time, including increasing contacts and exchanges of high-level delegations and between Committees of the two countries' National Assemblies to exchange information and experiences, creating a favorable framework to promote cooperation in areas with much room, in line with the development needs of the two countries such as science and technology, especially information technology, pharmaceuticals, high-tech agricultural products, etc.
The two sides agreed to continue to effectively implement the cooperation documents signed between the two governments, especially in the fields of science and technology, agriculture, education, etc.; promote the signing of new agreements and cooperation mechanisms in the context of the two countries upgrading their relations to a Strategic Partnership.
General Secretary To Lam proposed promoting the establishment of a cooperation mechanism between the two National Assemblies as well as promoting the bridging role of the Vietnam - Bulgaria Friendship Parliamentarians Group; suggested that Bulgaria soon implement visa exemption for Vietnamese citizens to increase investment attraction and people-to-people exchanges in a sustainable, effective and substantial manner.
At the same time, the two sides need to continue to strengthen coordination at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums (World Parliamentary Union -IPU, A - Europa Parliamentary Partnership Conference - ASEP, Francophone Parliamentary Union - APF) to contribute to peace, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
Vietnam is ready to act as a bridge to promote relations between the Bulgarian Parliament and the ASEAN Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA).
National Assembly Chairwoman Natalia Kiselova affirmed that the Bulgarian National Assembly will actively support and promote the implementation of cooperation directions clearly stated in the Joint Statement between Vietnam and Bulgaria on the establishment of a Strategic Partnership.
