NA leader affirms boosting ties with Venezuela

Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan has told Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro that Vietnam supports the constitutional government of Venezuela and attaches much importance to developing a multi-faceted relationship with the country.

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

The NA leader, who met the Venezuelan president in Havana, Cuba on November 30 during her visit to attend the funeral of late Cuban revolutionary leader Fidel Castro, said she believed the Venezuelan people would overcome their current difficulties and present challenges to make their country prosperous.

For his part, President Maduro repeated his invitation to the Party and State leaders of Vietnam to visit Venezuela. He lauded Vietnam for its tradition of national defence and its achievements during the Renewal process.

 

He stated that Venezuela would work to foster its friendship and comprehensive partnership with Vietnam.

 

The two leaders shared their delight at the progress of joint agricultural projects in Venezuela in the 2015-2018 period, which were reached during President Maduro’s visit to Vietnam in August 2015.

 

They agreed that the leaders of both countries should continue maintaining the existing bilateral cooperation mechanisms, including the Inter-Governmental Committee and the Deputy Foreign Ministerial Political Consultations.

 

The two sides should speed up the implementation of the agreements and commitments reached by their leaders, especially in agriculture, energy, oil and gas, while seeking measures and specific policies to raise two-way trade, which is currently at around US$15 million per year and is yet to match the potential and expectations of Vietnam and Venezuela, they said.

 

The two leaders also affirmed their determination to continue close coordination and mutual support at international organisations and multilateral forums.

 

President Maduro promised to visit Vietnam at a convenient time.

 

The same day, NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met Cuban hero and patriot António Guerrero.

 

On November 30, the NA leader and the delegation of the Party and State left Havana for Hanoi, concluding their visit to Cuba to attend the funeral of Fidel Castro.