ietnam ’s National Assembly

Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam ’s National Assembly has praised the Parliamentary
Assembly of Francophone countries (APF) for its efforts to promote democracy and the
rule of law as well as respect for human rights and the preservation and development
of cultural diversifications.

Addressing the opening ceremony of the 4 th session of the APF in the Asia-Pacific
region on Nov. 20, Vietnam ’s NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong said that the
organisation has actively participated in the lives of French-speaking communities,
boosted inter-parliamentary cooperation and enhanced friendships and solidarity
among parliamentary institutions, especially in French-speaking countries.

As an APF member, the Vietnamese NA has created the best possible conditions for
Vietnam to contribute to the APF’s activities. Apart from bilateral cooperation
amongst the parliaments of Cambodia , Laos and Vietnam , the APF-Asia-Pacific
region’s operations have been an important way of increasing solidarity and mutual
understanding among regional parliamentary members and contributed to enhancing
friendships and cooperation between regional parliaments.

NA Vice Chairwoman Phong expressed her belief that by holding in-depth discussions,
the session can put forward proposals to resolve regional issues as well as
strengthen links and cooperation amongst parliamentary members in the framework of
the APF’s operations.

The two-day meeting is now focussing on a series of issues of mutual concern,
including impacts of the economic crisis on French-speaking countries in the
Asia-Pacific region and measures to consolidate French-speaking space in the
region.

Delegates at the meeting praised Vietnam ’s NA for participating in the
Asia-Pacific region’s operations in particular and the APF in general as well as
its efforts to reinforce traditional friendships, cooperation and solidarity amongst
parliamentarians from other APF member countries.-Enditem