Vice Chairman of the National Assembly Huynh Ngoc Son met with DeputySpeaker of the Sri Lankan Parliament Chandima Weerakkody in Hanoi onMarch 26, during which both sides agreed to foster their traditionalfriendship and cooperation, especially in law-making, economics andculture.

Son and Weerakkody expressed theirdelight at the growth of ties between the two parliaments over the pastyear with regular delegation exchanges and mutual support atinternational parliamentarian forums.

In orderto strengthen the partnership, Son suggested the Sri Lankan parliamentwork closely with the Vietnamese NA in realising agreements, especiallythose in investment and financial affiliation as well as machinerymaking and agriculture.

It is also necessary tocreate a favourable legal environment for businesses and people of bothnations to increase exchange, trade and investment collaboration, hesaid.

Weerakkody, who is in Vietnam to attendthe 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-132), agreedwith his host’s proposal and expressed his desire to further promotecooperation with Vietnam.

The Sri Lankan Parliament looks to learn from and share experience with Vietnam’s NA, he stated.

The same day, Weerakkody was also received by Deputy Prime MinisterNguyen Xuan Phuc, who suggested Sri Lanka encourage its enterprises toexplore opportunities with Vietnamese partners.

The Vietnamese Government is likewise ready to cooperate with Sri Lanka in advantageous areas, he affirmed.

The Deputy PM expressed his hope that Vietnam and Sri Lanka willcoordinate at international forums and increase high-level visits.

He also proposed that Sri Lanka quickly approve the bilateralinvestment protection and encouragement deal signed in 2009 so as to laya firm foundation for economic collaboration between the two nations.

For his part, Weerakkody spoke highly ofVietnam’s preparations for the IPU-132. He pledged to work to fosterties between the two parliaments and governments and lift ties to a newheight.-VNA