Belarusian Legislator Meets With NA Chairman in Ho Chi Minh City

HCM CITY - In an impressive display of international camaraderie, National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man hosted Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus, Ipatau Vadzim, on April 29. Vadzim was in town to attend the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification (April 30, 1975 - 2025).

Chairman Man emphasized that Vadzim's presence not only honored the heroic history of the Vietnamese people but also powerfully illustrated the enduring friendship between the two nations, a bond that has been fostered over many decades.

The Chairman asserted that the Vietnam-Belarus relationship is a robust, traditionally grounded friendship, constructed on the solid foundations of trust and respect.

A Shared Past

The Vietnam people will forever remember the staggering and priceless support from the Belarusian people and the former Soviet Union during Vietnam's arduous quest for independence and post-war reconstruction. These heartfelt sentiments and aid have set the stage for the relationships between the two countries today.

The Future of Parliamentary Cooperation

The Vietnamese NA appreciates the rapidly expanding relationship with the House of Representatives of Belarus, particularly through the activities of the working group on cooperation between the two legislative bodies. Exchanges, experience sharing, and coordination at multilateral parliamentary forums have undoubtedly contributed to enhancing mutual understanding and trust.

On this occasion, Chairman Man extended an invitation to the Chairperson of the House of Representatives to make an official visit to Vietnam, which would further consolidate and expand the legislative ties.

Vadzim acknowledged the close ties between Belarus and Vietnam, both during their respective struggles for national liberation and their present efforts to grow together in a multipolar world. He highlighted Vietnam's significant role as a crucial and leading partner of Belarus in Southeast Asia and the Pacific region.

Strengthening people-to-people ties

Vadzim expressed a wish for the two nations to bolster people-to-people exchanges and strengthen cooperation in education and culture. He also mentioned the commencement of a direct flight route between the two countries, aiming to foster collaboration across sectors.

The two sides agreed that, in recent years, economic and parliamentary cooperation have become essential pillars, contributing to deepening bilateral relations. They acknowledged that the agreement on visa exemption for ordinary passport holders, effective from January 30, 2025, along with the activities of the Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee, have opened up numerous opportunities to promote trade, investment, and cooperation in areas such as industry, agriculture, science-technology, and education.

Vietnam expressed a desire to explore the potential for cooperation with Belarus in manufacturing, machinery production, and clean energy, which are among Belarus' strengths. In turn, Belarus suggested expanding cooperation, especially in artificial intelligence, technology, and the digital economy.

A Strategic Alliance

The Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement, signed on May 29, 2015, and effective from October 5, 2016, has created favorable conditions for the countries to promote trade and investment relations. The two sides agreed to further expand their goods markets with ASEAN and the EAEU.

They also agreed to increase high-level meetings between parliamentarians' groups, both in-person and online, and to devise specific cooperation programs to bolster the effectiveness of parliamentary activities, contributing to the sustainable development of each nation. The two legislatures promised to support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums.

NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn and Vice Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Ipatau Vadzim. - VNA/VNS Photo Doãn Tấn

In conclusion, Vietnam and Belarus are cementing their relationships, forging ahead in a spirit of mutual cooperation and shared growth. With increased parliamentary dialogue and economic ties, the future holds great promise for these two dynamic nations. As more cooperation unfolds between them, they're sure to illuminate the path to a brighter, more prosperous future.

The National Assembly Chairman emphasized the strong friendship between Vietnam and Belarus, a bond constructed on trust and respect, rooted in decades of mutual understanding.
The Vietnam people will always remember the support from the Belarusian people and the former Soviet Union during Vietnam's struggle for independence.
The two legislative bodies, the Vietnamese NA and the House of Representatives of Belarus, appreciate their growing relationship, particularly through exchanges and experience-sharing.
Vadzim expressed a desire to strengthen people-to-people ties, focusing on education, culture, and expanding cooperation through a direct flight route.
The agreement on visa exemption and activities of the Vietnam-Belarus Intergovernmental Committee have fostered opportunities to promote trade, investment, and cooperation in areas such as industry, agriculture, science-technology, and education.
Vietnam is interested in exploring potential cooperation with Belarus in areas like manufacturing, machinery production, and clean energy, while Belarus seeks to expand cooperation in artificial intelligence, technology, and the digital economy.
The Vietnam-Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) Free Trade Agreement has created opportunities for the countries to promote trade and investment relations, with a focus on expanding their goods markets with ASEAN and the EAEU.
The two legislatures aim to support each other at multilateral parliamentary forums and increase high-level meetings between parliamentarians' groups, both in-person and online, to devise specific cooperation programs.
With increasing parliamentary dialogue and economic ties, the future between Vietnam and Belarus holds great promise, shining a light on a brighter, more prosperous future for both nations.