Bridge to promote deep cooperation with the EU

On the occasion of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue's visit to Bulgaria, VTC News had a quick interview with Ambassador Do Hoang Long about this special event.

Important meaning

According to Ambassador Do Hoang Long, the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue to Bulgaria is of great significance to the relationship between the two countries.

"This is the first high-level official visit by a senior Vietnamese leader after Bulgaria established a new National Assembly and Government, demonstrating the respect for Vietnam's traditional friends, as well as the hope that Bulgaria will become a bridge to promote extensive cooperation between Vietnam and European Union (EU) countries," the Ambassador said.

Ambassador Do Hoang Long said the visit received broad support and welcome from the State, Government, National Assembly and people of Bulgaria. "Despite the political regime change since 1989, Bulgaria has always considered Vietnam a loyal friend and one of the most important partners in the Southeast Asian region."

The Ambassador said that the visit took place in the context of the traditional friendship and multifaceted cooperation between Vietnam and Bulgaria that has been developing positively and still has much room to be promoted in all fields.

At the same time, the visit also contributed to affirming the determination of the two countries' senior leaders to continue to bring bilateral relations to new heights, towards a Strategic Partnership and celebrating the 75th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam-Bulgaria diplomatic relations (February 8, 1950 - February 8, 2025).

75 years of bilateral relations

Assessing the 75th anniversary of Vietnam-Bulgaria bilateral relations, Ambassador Do Hoang Long said that the friendship has a long tradition and is being increasingly strengthened through many aspects, including the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue.

The Ambassador recalled that on February 8, 1950, Bulgaria was one of the first 10 countries in the world to recognize and officially establish diplomatic relations with the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, the predecessor of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. During the most difficult and arduous years of the struggle for national independence and nation building, Vietnam has always received valuable support, both material and spiritual, from the Government and people of Bulgaria.

Many economic, educational and medical projects in Vietnam have been built with the material and technical assistance and the selfless labor of Bulgarian experts. Over 30,000 Vietnamese people worked and studied in Bulgaria in the 70s and 80s of the last century to become leading scientists, experts and engineers of Vietnam, who have been and are still actively participating in making important contributions to the cause of defending the Fatherland and building the country.

These are invaluable assets and positive factors contributing to strengthening the solidarity and friendship between Vietnam and Bulgaria.

"I believe that the visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue focuses on consolidating and deepening the traditional friendship, is an opportunity to discuss international and regional issues of mutual concern; promotes multifaceted cooperation between the two countries in depth, effectively and practically, especially in areas such as politics - diplomacy, defense - security, economy - trade, science - technology, education - training, culture, sports and tourism, labor and cooperation between localities".

This is also an opportunity for senior leaders of Vietnam to affirm the foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, multilateralization and diversification of international relations for peace, cooperation and development, affirming that Vietnam continues to be a friend, reliable and responsible partner of international friends. In addition, the visit will also open up opportunities to promote cultural and people-to-people exchanges, thereby contributing to promoting the image of the country and people of Vietnam rising up and recovering strongly after the COVID-19 pandemic."

According to the Ambassador, regarding parliamentary cooperation, the two countries have a good traditional friendship and cooperation, demonstrated through many visits by high-ranking leaders, in which parliamentary cooperation can be considered a bright spot in the relationship.

On the occasion of the visit to Vietnam of the President of the Bulgarian National Assembly Tsetska Tsacheva in April 2012, the two sides signed a Memorandum of Understanding between the National Assembly of Vietnam and the National Assembly of Bulgaria, creating a legal basis to strengthen and further promote cooperation between the legislative bodies of the two countries.

Since then, the two countries' National Assemblies have maintained regular exchanges of parliamentary delegations. The two sides have also actively promoted cooperation in the legislative field, shared experiences and learned from each other in reforming legal documents, judiciary, administration, building a rule-of-law state, and anti-corruption laws.

The Ambassador expressed his belief that the upcoming visit of National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue will open a new chapter in the traditional friendship and good cooperation between the two countries in general and between the two National Assemblies in particular.

According to VNA, on September 23 (local time), Politburo member and National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly arrived at Sofia International Airport, the capital city of Sofia, to begin an official visit to the Republic of Bulgaria at the invitation of National Assembly Chairman Rosen Zhelyazkov.
Welcoming National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and the delegation at the airport were: Ms. Rositsa Kirova, Vice President of the Bulgarian National Assembly; Mr. Nikola Nikolov, Head of the Office of the President of the Bulgarian National Assembly...
Ambassador Do Hoang Long, Embassy officials, representatives of the community and Vietnamese students in Bulgaria warmly welcomed the delegation at the airport.
It is expected that during the visit, the National Assembly Chairman will hold talks and meetings with senior leaders of Bulgaria.
During the visit, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and members of the delegation will have meetings, exchanges and work with politicians and relevant agencies of Bulgaria on bilateral cooperation between the two countries and the two National Assemblies...

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