On receiving the heads of the AIPA delegations, before the opening ceremony on September 21, the Vietnamese NA leader stressed that the meeting is the most important event in 2010 for AIPA and Vietnam’s National Assembly.

Chairman Trong, who is also the Chairman of AIPA, stated that, as host of AIPA-31, Vietnam will do its best to make the meeting a success.

The support and cooperation of AIPA members and observers will play an important role in the success of the assembly, he said.

Thailand’s Deputy Senate Speaker, Tassana Boonthong, said she was pleased to attend the meeting amid the festive atmosphere of Thang Long-Hanoi’s millennium anniversary.

AIPA Secretary General Antonio V. Cuenco agreed with NA Chairman Trong that the AIPA needs to cooperate closer with other ASEAN agencies to form an ASEAN community.

He said he hoped that a draft MoU on AIPA-ASEAN cooperation will be completed before the next AIPA assembly.

According to ASEAN’s first Deputy Secretary General, Bagas Hapsoro, the MoU will be completed as soon as possible.