Vietnamese and Iranian parliaments have reached an agreement, the first of its kind in the history, which aims to boost comprehensive cooperation with a focus on economy and diplomacy.

Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in Tehran on August 8. Photos: Quochoi

The agreement was signed by Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue and Iran’s Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf during the ongoing visit paid by the Vietnamese top lawmaker.

Accordingly, the two countries will discuss measures to boost trade ties.

In a press conference in Tehran on August 8, Ghalibaf disclosed that Iran and Vietnam had made new decisions regarding trade and visas. He said direct flights between Tehran and Hanoi would be available soon.

Meanwhile, Hue proposed enhancing economic relations between Vietnam and Iran through trade, investment, and business, particularly in agriculture and fisheries. Along with these other areas, the two parties want to improve their collaboration in science, technology, culture, and arts.

Gesture of partnership

Chairman Hue’s trip took place on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between Vietnam and Iran, nearly 25 years after NA Chairman Nong Duc Manh’s Iran visit in 1999 and five years after Speaker of the Iranian Parliament Ali Larijani visited Vietnam in April of 2018.

During the three-day stay starting on August 8, the Vietnamese chairman met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi, Chairman of the Iran-Vietnam Friendship Association Seyed Kamal Sajjadi who is former Iranian Ambassador to Vietnam.

Chairman of Vietnam’s National Assembly Vuong Dinh Hue meets met Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi in Tehran on August 8.

Chairman Hue said Vietnam attached great importance to the significant role of Iran in the West Asian region, adding that the two countries should tap the potential for a comprehensive partnership.

In talks with the association’s leader, Hue believed that the strongest factor in fostering the relations between the two nations is people-to-people ties. Vietnamese and Iranian people both share a commitment to independence and self-reliance in the building and development of their countries. He hoped that the Iran-Vietnam Friendship Association would continue to broaden the scope of its activities involving intercultural exchange.

On this occasion, Seyed Kamal Sajjadi said the association’s efforts include boosting Vietnam’s land and people on media with articles and books, preparing to make films on Vietnam while encouraging more Iranians to visit Vietnam.

Vietnam and Iran have held nine meetings of their Intergovernmental Committee and seven political consultations at the deputy ministerial level over the past 50 years.

However, there is still a lot of room for cooperation between the two countries in a number of areas.

The Iran-Vietnam Business Forum is scheduled to open in Tehran on August 8 with the participation of 70 Vietnamese businesspersons and a dozen Iranian companies, aiming to promote a deeper comprehension of the Vietnamese market and explore the various business and investment possibilities in the Southeast Asian nation.

Iranian parliament speaker said the two sides should be able to solve the existing problems with cooperation through banking committees.

The two countries' parliaments can help develop economic relations between Iran and Vietnam by passing laws.

Regarding educational and cultural cooperation, Hue expressed the country’s support for exchanging university professors between the two countries.