Speaking at the meeting, National Assembly Vice Chairman Phung Quoc Hien spoke highly of the role played by the APF in promoting and protecting democracy and rule-of-law State, respecting human rights, and developing cultural diversity. 

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View of the meeting. Photo: qdnd.vn 

The Francophone Community contributes to supporting developing countries, which are members of the APF, in integrating into the international economy, fully tapping opportunities to create jobs, reducing inequality, and promoting the role of women and youths, he said. 

NA Vice Chairman Hien affirmed Vietnam pursues a consistent policy of independence, self-reliance, peace, cooperation and development, multilateralization and diversification of external relations, and proactive international integration, adding that the country is a friend, a reliable partner and a responsible member in the international community. 

Vietnam proactively proposed initiatives and took part in the implementation of strategies and activities of the Community, significantly contributing to strengthening solidarity within the APF, and expanding affiliation among its member countries. 

APF President Robert Aubin, who is a Canadian parliamentarian, said the event offered a chance for participants to share practical experience related to legislative and supervision activities, and other works of each country’ legislature. 

Participants to the meeting reviewed the implementation of the APF strategic framework in 2013-2017 and the inter-parliamentary cooperation programme in 2017-2018, while considering the implementation of initiatives for multilateral inter-parliamentary cooperation in Mali, Haiti, Madagascar, and Burkina Faso. 

Besides, they discussed issues concerning bicameral system in parliamentary activities, youths’ participation in national political life, rights to be protected personal data in the context of digitalisation, among others. 

As one of the four standing committees of the APF, the Committee on Parliamentary Affairs plays a vital role in implementing activities of the organisation. It is responsible for studying and examining issues related to interest of the APF, inter-parliamentary cooperation orientations and laws within French-speaking communities.

Source: VNA