Vietnam and Chile will increase high-level reciprocal visits and implement specific areas of cooperation to fully tap their potential.

President Michelle Bachelet (R) welcomed Vice Chairwoman Ngan in Santiago.

They will bring into full play the existing cooperation mechanisms such as political consultations between the two Ministries of Foreign Affairs, the meeting of the inter-governmental committee, and the bilateral free trade agreement (FTA).

They will also work closely together to speed up negotiations of the Trans-Pacific Partnership agreement (TPP).

The agreement was reached during a visit to Chile from July 3-5 by Vice Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Ngan met with President Michelle Bachelet, Senate President Isabel Allende, Lower House Speaker Aldo Cornejo, leaders of the parliamentary friendship group with Vietnam, and Minister-director of the National Service for Women Claudia Pascual.

Both sides agreed that the two countries’ legislative bodies should maintain regular exchange visits to share experience in legislation, coordinate closely at inter-parliamentary forums, and strengthen the operation of their parliamentary friendship groups, so as to foster bilateral friendship and cooperation.

Vice Chairwoman Ngan spoke highly of Chile’s experience in formulating and enforcing laws on gender equality, especially equality in political engagement, income generation, and social welfare enjoyment, so as to empower women’s role in society.

Chilean leaders expressed concern about recent tensions in the East Sea after China towed its drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou-981 to waters deep inside Vietnam’s exclusive economic zone and continental shelf.

They supported Vietnam’s stance of resolving the dispute through peaceful measures in accordance with international law, including the 1982 UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS), as well as other agreements signed between the concerned parties.

During the visit, Ngan attended an inauguration ceremony of the late Vietnamese President Ho Chi Minh’s statue erected in a park named after him in capital Santiago.

She also laid a wreath at the late Chilean President Salvador Allende’s grave and attended a ceremony marking 45 years of Allende’s landmark visit to Vietnam where he met President Ho in May 1969.

Chile honours late President Ho Chi Minh

A statue of late President Ho Chi Minh was inaugurated in Cerro Navia district, Santiago, Chile, on July 4.

At the inauguration ceremony, Vice Chairwoman of the Vietnam National Assembly Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan appreciated Chile’s assistance for Vietnam during the past struggle for national independence and freedom.

She said 45 years ago, Chilean President Salvador Allende made a historical visit to Vietnam when Vietnamese people were mired in a devastating war. During the visit, he met President Ho Chi Minh, laying a solid foundation for bilateral ties of friendship and cooperation between the two countries.

Ngan affirmed that the erection of President Ho’s statue in Cerro is testimony to Chilean people’s respect for the late Vietnamese President, and a milestone in bilateral relations.

For his part, Cerro Navia district leader Luis Plaza Sanchez showed local citizens’ pride of honouring President Ho in the district and recalled his fond memories during his trips to Vietnam where he admired Vietnamese people’s courage and hard-working spirit to build a prosperous nation.

Participants at the ceremony enjoyed some traditional Chilean dances presented by Chilean artists and students in Cerro Navia.

The statue was placed at a Park named after President Ho Chi Minh at Herminda de la Victoria. The park was built in 1969 by some members of the Communist and Socialist Parties of Chile showing support for Vietnam’s struggle for national liberation.

VNA/VNN