The selection of Vietnam to host the Inter-Parliamentary Union’s 132nd Assembly (IPU-132) reflected the growth of the country, according to the Euro Presse Image (EPI) portal.
In an article published on April 8, the Belgian portal highlighted the IPU-132 as a great international event, saying Vietnam’s hosting the event constituted a new step towards strengthening relations between the National Assembly (NA) of Vietnam and other NAs and Parliaments. The piece highlighted the event outcomes, including evaluating the results of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and proposing follow-on objectives.
It also mentioned the Assembly’s adopted resolutions on cyber-war, water resourcesgovernance, international laws on national sovereignty and non-interference in the internal affairs of States and human rights, among others.
The article lauded Vietnamese initiatives as significant contributions to the Assembly’s resolutions, adding that highly debated issues from the last three sessions of the General Assembly of the IPU were adopted unanimously in Hanoi.
The article hailed the Hanoi Declaration as the most important outcome of the IPU-132, commenting that it shows the vision, objectives and commitments of Parliaments to achieve post-2015 sustainable global development goals.
It cited IPU President Saber Chowdhury as saying that as the host country, Vietnam played an important role in all meetings of the Assembly and its suggestions serve as valuable experience for the activities of national parliaments.
The Hanoi Declaration will be a legacy, reflecting the contribution of Vietnam to the IPU and international community, added Saber Chowdhury.
Parliamentary diplomacy will be a major component of Vietnam’s diplomatic relations, the article commented.
It also quoted NA Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung as stressing the IPU-132 will be useful for the Vietnamese NA in policymaking and oversight of important national issues.
In tandem with addressing domestic issues, the Vietnam NA will continue to integrate in international affairs, promote bilateral and multilateral relations through IPU approaches, Hung added
The event is a demonstration of the country’s strong policies on active and positive external relations chosen during the 11 th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV), it affirmed.
