NA Chair pledges to facilitate Vietnam- Australia friendship organisations' activities

NA Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan made the statement at a November 29 meeting with President of the Australia-Vietnam Friendship Society (AVFS) Kim Sampson in Canberra.

The top legislator expressed her delight at increased exchange visits and meetings at all levels as well as expanded cooperation via all channels, including between their Parties, parliaments, governments and people.

At the recent APEC Economic Leaders’ Week in Vietnam’s Da Nang city, Prime Ministers Nguyen Xuan Phuc and Malcolm Turnbull consented to soon lift the Vietnam-Australia relationship to a strategic partnership, she said, while hoping that bilateral ties will be strengthened for mutual benefit.

She described the organization's practical activities as a bridge helping to reinforce the countries’ sound relations, especially deepen their people’s friendship and mutual understanding.

Vietnam and Australia will celebrate the 45th anniversary of their diplomatic ties in 2018. Therefore, friendship associations should closely coordinate to  hold major celebrations as a practical contribution to Vietnam-Australia Friendship Year 2018, the top Vietnamese legislator said.

Chairwoman Ngan asked the President and members of the AVFS to help Vietnamese nationals integrate into the local society and make more contribution to relations between the two nations.

AVFS President Sampson said the number of AVFS members has been on the rise since the association was set up four decades ago.

He said AVFS members are looking forward to the 45th anniversary of the bilateral diplomatic ties and his association will join the Vietnamese Ambassador to Australia to promote people-to-people exchanges.