Francophone Parliamentary Assembly’s Women’s Parliamentary Network opens in HN

VGP –Viet Nam has consistently implemented a foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation, and development; the diversification and multilateralization of international relations; active international integration; and being a friend, a trusted partner, and a responsible member of the international community.

February 27, 2019 9:30 AM GMT+7

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan attends the opening session for meetings of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly (APF)’s Women’s Parliamentary Network and the APF Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs Committee in Ha Noi on February 26, 2019 - Photo: VNA

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan made that statement while attending the opening session for both meetings of the Francophone Parliamentary Assembly (APF)’s Women’s Parliamentary Network and the APF Education, Communication and Cultural Affairs Committee in Ha Noi on February 26.

In her opening speech, NA Chairwoman Ngan asserted that Viet Nam appreciates the APF’s role in international activities through initiating and implementing inter-parliamentary cooperation programs; strengthening friendship and solidarity between parliaments; and contributing to the growing development of parliamentary diplomatic activities to improve the position and voice of parliamentarians in regional and international issues.

The State and people of Viet Nam are making efforts to implement in the country’s comprehensive renovation process at present, having gained important achievements in many fields, she added.

Regarding parliamentary diplomacy, the Vietnamese NA has always been an active and responsible member of regional and global inter-parliamentary organizations, such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU), the APF, the Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum (APPF), the ASEAN Inter Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), and other inter-parliamentary organizations, the NA leader said.

She underlined the need to enhance solidarity and closer cooperation among French-speaking countries and the international community, highlighting the role played by the French-speaking community in promoting mutual understanding, respecting diversity, promoting cooperation to maintain peace and stability, and solving both global and Francophone nation problems.

The Vietnamese top legislator hoped that the APF and other inter-parliamentary organizations will be vehicles for parliamentarians to continue to express their views, thus reflecting the aspirations of the people towards building and protecting a world of solidarity, peace, and multilateral cooperation, as well as settling disputes on the basis of respect for international law and towards sustainable development.

From the 23 member parliaments that attended the first meeting of the International Assembly of French Language Parliamentarians (AIPLF) in Luxembourg in 1967 to the 87 members in 2018, the development of the organization amongst the Francophone community, as well as in the international arena, has been clearly evidenced during the 50 years since its establishment.

The two meetings will last until February 28.

By Hoang Ha