Chairman An greets visiting Hungarian PM

The National Assembly and people of Vietnam valued and expected to further develop the tradition of friendship and multi-faceted co-operation with Hungary, affirmed National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An yesterday.

NA Chairman Nguyen Van An (right) receives Hungarian PM Ferenc Gyurcsány.

The National Assembly and people of Vietnam valued and expected to further develop the tradition of friendship and multi-faceted co-operation with Hungary , affirmed National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Van An yesterday.

Meeting with visiting Hungarian Prime Minister Ferenc Gyorcsány, Chairman An said he expected the relationship between the two countries would be deepened and more effective, answering the aspirations and benefiting the peoples of both countries in peace, stability and prosperity.

Chairman An briefly informed Gyurcsány of activities of the National Assembly.

Chairman An said he expected the relationship between the highest legislative bodies of both countries to be increased in order to promote their common development.

He said that he strongly believed that Gyurcsány’s visit would enhance the tradition of friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Hungary . He expressed appreciation for the support and assistance the Government and people of Hungary have given to Vietnam’ s struggles for liberation and in building and developing the country.

Chairman An congratulated the Hungarian people for the important achievements they have obtained in nation building and development, in their integration with Europe and in strengthening Hungary’ s position in the internationally.

In reply, Gyurcsány thanked An and concurred in his assessments of the bilateral relationship. Gyurcsány said he believed the relations between the legislative bodies, governments and peoples of the two countries would develop firmly.

He wished the Vietnamese people continued successes in their process of doi moi (renewal).

Gyurcsány updated An on the results of his meetings with other Vietnamese leaders. He confirmed his efforts to further promote friendship and multi-faceted co-operation between Vietnam and Hungary .

Gyurcsány agreed with An that the two nations must expand economic and trade co-operation in accordance with the potential and fine political relationship they share. Vietnam was a pathway for Hungary to approach the rest of southeast Asia, he added.

An accompanied Gyurcsány to visit the Ba Dinh Meeting Hall where National Assembly sessions take place.

Hungary pledges loans

Also yesterday, the Vietnam Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Hungarian embassy in Vietnam organised a Vietnam-Hungary Enterprises Forum. About 130 Vietnamese and 18 Hungarian enterprises that specialise in IT, electronics, education, energy, commerce and investment attended the event.

Addressing the forum, Gyurcsány said Vietnam and Hungary both had high potential in trade, investment, IT and transportation. The Hungarian government was ready to create opportunities to help enterprises of both two countries invest in these areas.

Gyurcsány said that he hoped, through his visit to Vietnam , enterprises of Vietnam and Hungary would establish co-operation in aspects of IT, energy, transportation, electricity and electronics.

The government of Hungary committed to grant preferential credit in the amount of US$35mil to the An Hoa thermoelectric plant in Nong Son in the central province of Quang Nam, as well as to support other major investment projects and provide other loan packages to Vietnam, Gyurcsány said.

Also at the forum, Deputy Minister of Industry Bui Xuan Khu said that, in the future, the two countries would launch projects in electricity, health, IT, and leather, education and training, and tourism.

The Ministry of Industry, the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and the Trade Promotion Department were committed to support and create opportunities to help enterprises of both countries further co-operate, Mr Khu stressed.

Last year, trade turnover between Vietnam and Hungary was estimated at $40mil, according to the Chamber of Commerce and Industry.

(Source: Viet Nam News)