Vietnam always values and wishes to further deepen relations with Bhutan.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and King of Bhutan Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

On the afternoon of August 19, at the National Assembly House, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan on the occasion of the King and a high-ranking Bhutanese delegation's State visit to Vietnam.

At the meeting, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man happily welcomed the King, Queen and Bhutanese delegation to the State visit, the first visit by a Bhutanese head of state to Vietnam, marking an important milestone in the relationship between the two countries.

The National Assembly Chairman highly appreciated the development of the relationship between the two countries, especially the harmony in core values, both attaching importance to preserving traditional culture, prioritizing people's happiness and close coordination in international forums.

Appreciating Bhutan's unique development model using the Gross National Happiness Index as a measure and its economic development strategy in parallel with preserving culture, protecting the environment and human happiness, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed that Vietnam always attaches importance to and wishes to further deepen the friendly relationship with Bhutan, based on the foundation of mutual respect, equality and mutual benefit; believing that the results of the King's visit will help enhance the good cooperative relationship between Vietnam and Bhutan to a new height.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed that Vietnam always values and wishes to further deepen the friendly relationship with Bhutan. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

The National Assembly Chairman emphasized that the friendly relations between Vietnam and Bhutan, although only over a decade old, have achieved some good results, in which cooperation between the two countries' parliaments has made positive contributions, both bilaterally and at multilateral parliamentary forums such as the IPU and AIPA.

Affirming that the Vietnamese National Assembly highly appreciated the cooperation between the two legislative bodies of the two countries in recent times, especially through delegation exchanges and contacts at inter-parliamentary forums of which the two parliaments are members, the National Assembly Chairman conveyed an invitation to the Chairman of the Senate and House of Representatives of Bhutan to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man also suggested that the two sides increase the exchange of delegations at all levels, especially delegations of high-ranking leaders of the National Assembly, specialized committees, agencies assisting the National Assembly and other mechanisms of National Assembly deputies (female deputies, young deputies), exchange legislative and supervisory experiences, contributing to creating favorable conditions for the socio-economic development of each country; proposed that the two sides soon establish a Friendship Parliamentarians Group of the two countries.

In the context of the world facing challenges, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man suggested that the two countries need to continue to coordinate closely, and Vietnam supports Bhutan's stance in protecting peace, stability and cooperation in the South Asian region and the world.

The National Assembly Chairman stressed that Vietnam, with its dynamically developing economy, is ready to enhance cooperation with Bhutan in sectors such as logistics, tourism, and high-tech agriculture. Vietnam will encourage businesses from both countries to study the legal and policy frameworks of each country and strengthen connections to increase bilateral trade turnover.

The Vietnamese National Assembly pledges to create favorable legal and policy conditions to support investment and business activities of Bhutanese enterprises in Vietnam.

King Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck of Bhutan speaks at the meeting. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

Expressing his joy at visiting Vietnam on the occasion of the country's important events, the King of Bhutan thanked the Party, Government and National Assembly leaders for the warm welcome given to the delegation.

Admiring and congratulating Vietnam's socio-economic development achievements, the King of Bhutan highly appreciated the positive cooperation results between the two countries in recent times and the outstanding achievements in Vietnam's current socio-economic development and innovation, believing that Vietnam will successfully achieve the goal of becoming a developed country.

The King of Bhutan agreed with the proposals of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man, including promoting the exchange of high-level delegations, including parliamentary delegations of the two countries, exchanging and sharing views and experiences; and inviting the Vietnamese National Assembly to send a delegation to visit Bhutan.

Meeting scene at the National Assembly House. (Source: Nhan Dan Newspaper)

The two sides agreed to maximize the potential for cooperation between the two countries, prioritizing the promotion of economic cooperation, especially in areas where both sides have strengths. The two sides also agreed to continue to closely coordinate and support each other at regional and international forums; increase information sharing, and coordinate stances on regional and international issues of mutual concern.