It is high time to push ASEAN to crucial turning points to become a significant, self-reliant, dynamic, and cohesive bloc, as well as a driving force for growth, Vietnam’s lawmaking National Assembly (NA) Chairman Tran Thanh Man told the first plenary session of the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) in Vientiane, Laos on Saturday.

ASEAN, fully known as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, is taking important steps in building the ASEAN Community in the spirit of solidarity and unity, the Vietnam News Agency reported, citing the Vietnamese NA chairman.

He affirmed that over the past 60 years of its establishment and development, ASEAN has made great strides, stressing that parliamentary cooperation will be a driving force in building the ASEAN Community.

Desiring to promote parliaments’ role in enhancing ASEAN’s connectivity, NA Chairman Man presented five key proposals.

He suggested that AIPA should collaborate more closely with ASEAN to strengthen solidarity, cooperation, and unity in diversity, promote ASEAN’s spirit of independence and strategic self-reliance, as well as strictly comply with international law, particularly the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea. 

It is vital to review and assess the implementation of the Master Plan on ASEAN Connectivity 2025 and roll out cooperation strategies through 2045, he said.

The top Vietnamese legislator underscored that AIPA should further its role in complementing parliamentary diplomacy within the broader framework of state diplomacy among ASEAN member countries and with the grouping's partners.

He hinted at enhancing partnership among countries in natural disaster prevention and climate change response, ensuring a balance between development and environmental protection, as well as safeguarding food and water security. 

Furthermore, he called for the acceleration of digital transformation, green transition, and energy transition, as well as innovation and entrepreneurship to create new, sustainable growth drivers for ASEAN.

As part of his visit to Laos and participation in the AIPA-45, Man met the top parliamentarians of some countries on Saturday.

At a meeting with the top Vietnamese legislator, Chairman of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly of Belarus Igor Sergeyenko conveyed an invitation from the Belarusian president to Vietnamese Party General Secretary and State President To Lam to visit Belarus in the coming time, and also invited NA Chairman Man to visit the European country.

Sergeyenko expressed his hope that Vietnam would support efforts to promote cooperation between Belarus and ASEAN. 

The top Vietnamese lawmaker affirmed that Vietnam is willing to serve as a bridge for cooperation between Belarus and the bloc.

Man also had a meeting with his Singaporean counterpart Seah Kian Peng, where he underlined that there is huge potential for cooperation between the two countries.

He suggested pushing the bilateral cooperative relationship to a new height in the coming time. 

He took the occasion to invite Seah to visit Vietnam at an appropriate time.

At a meeting with President of the National Assembly and Speaker of the House of Representatives of Thailand Wan Muhamad Noor Matha on the sidelines of the AIPA-45, the top Vietnamese legislator stressed that Hanoi always treasures the ties with Bangkok and wishes to upgrade the Vietnam - Thailand strategic partnership. 

He proposed the two sides continue all-level delegation exchanges to boost the cooperation.

The two leaders expected the two nations to organize a series of events to mark the 50th anniversary of their bilateral ties in 2025.

Man and a high-level delegation of the Vietnamese NA returned to Hanoi on Saturday evening, successfully concluding their official visit to Laos and participation in AIPA-45 at the invitation of Lao National Assembly Chairman and AIPA-45 President Saysomphone Phomvihane.

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