Armenian Ambassador: National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man's visit marks an important step forward, especially in parliamentary cooperation

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man meets with Armenian President Vahagn Khachaturyan. (Source: VOV)

How does the Ambassador evaluate the results of the official visit to Armenia by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man on bilateral relations and parliamentary cooperation between the two countries?

The visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man marks an important step forward in strengthening relations between Armenia and Vietnam, especially in the field of cooperation between the two parliaments. The two countries have a long-standing friendship and the visit once again reaffirms the commitment of both countries to strengthen cooperation in many fields.

This is a great opportunity for both sides to exchange ideas, seek new directions for cooperation and build a stronger foundation for political, economic and cultural cooperation.

Relations between the two countries’ parliaments play an important role in bilateral relations. The National Assembly of Armenia and the National Assembly of Vietnam have maintained active and constructive cooperation through visits and inter-parliamentary dialogue.

In particular, the visit to Vietnam by Armenian Parliament Speaker Alen Simonyan last November restored high-level political dialogue after interruptions due to the COVID-19 pandemic and regional and global developments.

During the visit, the two sides discussed many bilateral issues as well as important regional and international issues.

The two countries also actively cooperate in multilateral parliamentary forums such as the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and AIPA. Promoting parliamentary diplomacy will continue to play an important role in strengthening the comprehensive cooperation between Armenia and Vietnam.

Bilateral economic cooperation has made great strides in recent times, specifically, the bilateral trade turnover between Vietnam and Armenia in 2024 will reach nearly 500 million USD, an increase of more than 40% compared to 2023. Can we expect even more spectacular progress, Ambassador?

Relations between the two countries have always been built on the foundation of friendship, openness and sincerity. The historical connection between Armenia and Vietnam dates back to the 17th-18th centuries, when Armenian merchants traded in the Gulf of Tonkin.

In the 20th century, the relationship between the two countries continued to develop within the framework of cooperation between the Soviet Union and Vietnam, notably the visit of President Ho Chi Minh to Yerevan in 1959. Armenian experts also worked in Vietnam, contributing to promoting friendship between the two peoples and supporting Vietnam's socio-economic development.

Currently, there are many opportunities to enhance economic cooperation between Armenia and Vietnam. With Vietnam's rapid economic growth and Armenia's strategic location in the Eurasian region, the two countries can take advantage to boost trade and investment.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man holds talks with Armenian Parliament Chairman Alen Simonyan. (Source: VNA)

In the coming time, we wish to promote cooperation in important areas such as high technology, trade, education and people-to-people exchange. Vietnam is an important partner of Armenia in the ASEAN region, and our goal is to build a cooperation program that brings mutual benefits to both countries.

We are currently working with the Vietnamese Government to identify potential areas of cooperation, including trade, high technology, agriculture, tourism, education and science.

Trade plays a vital role in connecting countries, people and economies. Vietnam is now the fastest growing economy in Asia, with bilateral trade between the two countries reaching $800 million - many times higher than 15 years ago.

We are actively looking for opportunities to bring more Armenian products to the Vietnamese market.

Regarding investment, Armenia expects more cooperation between businesses of the two countries, creating job opportunities for people. Currently, more and more Armenian businesses are operating in Vietnam, participating in joint cooperation projects, some of which have been implemented.

Within the framework of the Eurasian Economic Union, Armenia has established a free trade regime with Vietnam, creating many valuable opportunities for Vietnamese businesses. Armenian products such as brandy, wine and processed agricultural products have great potential in the Vietnamese market.

To promote friendship and cooperation, we are actively connecting Armenian and Vietnamese businesses, supporting the activities of the Vietnam-Armenia Friendship Association, and considering the possibility of opening direct flights between the two countries. In addition, the upcoming signing of a visa exemption agreement will create more favorable conditions for trade and tourism.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man with Armenian businesses attending the Vietnam-Armenia Business Dialogue. (Source: VNA)

The friendship between the two nations originates from people-to-people exchanges. What are your expectations for this bond between the two countries and the younger generation?

People-to-people exchanges are an important factor in cultural connections. Before the collapse of the Soviet Union, about 1,000 Vietnamese students studied at universities and specialized research institutes in Armenia.

We hope this number will increase again, as the younger generation plays an important role in building bridges and promoting mutual understanding between the two countries.

The Vietnam-Armenia Friendship Association brings together individuals who studied in Armenia during the Soviet era. They cherish their memories of Armenia and maintain close ties with the Armenian Embassy in Hanoi. Many members of the association have made significant contributions to the development of Vietnam.

Deputy Foreign Minister Le Thi Thu Hang received Ambassador of the Republic of Armenia to Vietnam Suren Baghdasaryan on February 18. (Photo: Anh Son)

Armenia has strengths in technology and startups. Could the Ambassador share experiences with Vietnam in these areas that Vietnam is focusing on?

Armenia has become a hub for technology and innovation, especially in the fields of information technology (IT), artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity. Armenia’s experience shows that building a strong startup ecosystem requires:

Government support & incentives: Establish special economic zones and introduce tax exemptions and reductions for startups and technology enterprises.

Investment in education & research and development (R&D): Armenia focuses on STEM education and research collaboration, which plays a vital role in the development of the technology industry.

International Cooperation: Collaboration with global technology corporations and attracting foreign investment have helped accelerate the development of Armenia's innovation-based economy.

Vietnam can leverage this experience by promoting joint ventures, supporting knowledge exchange and encouraging technology startups. Increased cooperation in these areas will benefit both countries and promote sustainable development.

Thank you very much Ambassador!

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/dai-su-armenia-chuyen-tham-cua-chu-tich-quoc-hoi-tran-thanh-man-danh-dau-buoc-tien-quan-trong-dac-biet-trong-hop-tac-quoc-hoi-310025.html