National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his wife attend the 150th Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU-150) in Uzbekistan and make official visits to Armenia and Uzbekistan from April 2-8. (photo: quochoi.vn)

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s trip is the most important diplomatic activity of the Vietnamese National Assembly this year in both bilateral and multilateral relations.

Vietnam strongly supports multilateralism

With the theme “Parliamentary action for development and social justice,” IPU-150 calls for strengthened multilateral cooperation to address global challenges. The participants will coordinate actions to enhance the role of each member parliament in shaping and overseeing the implementation of laws and policies, as well as advancing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Since joining the IPU in 1979, the Vietnamese National Assembly has been an active and responsible member. It has held various leadership roles within IPU mechanisms and successfully hosted the 132nd IPU Assembly in 2015 and the 9th Global Conference of Young Parliamentarians in 2023. Vietnam’s contributions are highly valued by the IPU Secretariat and member parliaments, particularly in fostering connectivity in the Asia-Pacific region.

At IPU-150, Vietnam will introduce itself as a country entering a new era with significant socio-economic achievements, where people are at the center of all development policies, serving as both the goal and driving force of progress.

Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Le Thi Thu Hang said: “The participation of Vietnam’s top legislator at IPU-150 underscores Vietnam’s firm support for multilateralism and its recognition of the IPU’s important role. It also reaffirms Vietnam’s National Assembly as a proactive and responsible member of IPU.”

Promoting the traditional relationship with Armenia and Uzbekistan

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man will make official visits to Armenia and Uzbekistan, the first-ever visits by a top Vietnamese legislator and the highest-level visits to these countries since diplomatic ties were established in 1992. The visits are of great political importance, reflecting Vietnam’s respect for its traditional friends and laying the groundwork for expanding cooperation across multiple fields.

President of the Uzbekistan Friendship Association Alisher Rustamovich said: “We are delighted to welcome the first visit by a Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman to Uzbekistan, which shows that our countries’ bilateral relations are advancing to a higher level. Vietnam’s National Assembly, the highest state body, plays a key role in national politics. The National Assembly Chairman’s visit will open many opportunities for further bilateral cooperation in politics, trade, investment, culture, and people-to-people exchanges."

Vietnam maintains a friendly and cooperative relationship with Armenia in all fields. The two countries have consistently coordinated and supported each other at multilateral forums like the United Nations and the Francophonie community.

Armenian Ambassador to Vietnam Suren Baghdasaryan said: "We look forward to deepening cooperation with Vietnam in key areas such as high-tech industries, trade, education, and people-to-people exchanges. Vietnam is a vital strategic partner of Armenia in ASEAN. We aim to develop a cooperation program that ensures shared prosperity, security, long-term peace, and a common vision of strong, independent, and sustainably developed Vietnam and Armenia."

The special affection the leaders and people of Armenia and Uzbekistan have for Vietnam is a strong foundation for fostering political trust, enabling these three countries to move toward shared goals, promote mutually beneficial cooperation, and ensure the sustainable development of each nation.

Chairman Man’s attending IPU-150 and visiting Armenia and Uzbekistan reaffirms Vietnam’s strong commitment to multilateral parliamentary forums and will enhance cooperation with traditional friends in Central Asia.