Mr Hung made the assurance while receiving his Venezuelan counterpart, Fernando Soto Rojas, in Hanoi on October 31.

The NA leader spoke highly of Venezuela’s recent achievements, saying that its role in international forums is improving. He expressed his delight at the development of relations between the two countries, which both experienced long struggles for national independence.

Mr Hung thanked Venezuela for its assistance to Vietnam in the past struggle for national independence and its present cause of national construction and development.

He affirmed Vietnam’s consistent policy of expanding cooperation with other nations in the world for peace and development.

As a member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), Vietnam is taking the initiative to cooperate with countries and territories in the region and the world in order to ride out the global economic crisis, he said.

He also proposed that both countries promote exchanges of parliamentarian delegations to enhance legislative ties.

President of Venezuela’s National Assembly Fernando Soto Rojas expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s achievements in national socio-economic development, especially during the Renewal process.

He said it is necessary for both nations to fully tap their potential, notably in the field of oil and gas, and boost bilateral cooperation in politics, economics, trade and investment for mutual benefit.

Both host and guest agreed to increase multifaceted cooperation and strengthen the solidarity and understanding between the two National Assemblies, thereby contributing to developing the Vietnam-Venezuela traditional relationship.

** The same day, Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong received President Fernando Soto Rojas. 

Mr Trong spoke highly of Venezuelan achievements in improving people’s living conditions and stabilising the country’s situation, as well as its contribution to the left-wing movement in the Latin American and Caribbean regions. 

He also expressed his belief that Venezuela will reap greater achievements in national construction and development. 

Party leader Trong also highly valued the effective cooperative between the two countries and asked the two governments and national assemblies to tighten bilateral ties. 

He expressed thanks to the Venezuelan people for their constant support for the Vietnamese people’s past struggle for national independence and reunification, and their current renewal process. 

Vietnam is determined to consolidate and enhance the friendship and cooperation between the two countries, lifting the relations to a new height, he said. 

President Fernando Soto Rojas expressed his admiration for Vietnam’s achievements during its renewal process, adding he wished the two countries’ solidarity and friendship as well as cooperation between the two legislative bodies would continue to grow and flourish. 

Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai also gave a reception to President Fernando Soto Rojas, during which he said Vietnam wishes to enhance cooperation with Venezuela in energy and agriculture, as the latter has experience in the energy sector. 

President Fernando Soto Rojas said this is the time to further boost cooperation and friendship between the two countries. 

He emphasized the important role of Vietnam-Venezuela intergovernmental committee in implementing cooperative projects approved by leaders of the two countries. 

The two sides pledged to continue to promote cooperation between the two nations, especially in energy, agriculture and industry. 

As part of his activities, President Fernando Soto Rojas met with the President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations, Vu Xuan Hong, where he exchanged views on the traditional friendship and cooperation between the Vietnamese and Venezuelan people.

** Also on October 31, NA President Rojas met with Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Hoang Trung Hai.

Deputy PM Hai briefed Mr Rojas on Vietnam’s socio-economic achievements since the beginning of its Renewal process 25 years ago.

Vietnam's economic structure is shifting from agriculture towards industry and services and the country is making every effort to stabilize its macro economy and ensure social welfare, said Mr Hai.

Mr Hai praised NA President Rojas’s contribution to developing the bilateral relationship, saying that Vietnam hopes to cooperate with Venezuela, especially in energy and agriculture.

Mr Rojas said that it is high time to boost the friendship and cooperation between Venezuela and Vietnam and that the two countries should make a greater effort to fully tap their potential.

** NA President Rojas also met with Vu Xuan Hong, Chairman of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations, on October 31.