site.btaParliament Speaker Zhelyazkov: It Is Important to Develop Relations with ASEAN Countries 

“It is extremely important for us to develop relations with the countries of Southeast Asia, ASEAN, because the region is extremely important, interesting, dynamic and we need to look towards it,” National Assembly Chair Rosen Zhelyazkov told journalists after a meeting in Ninh Binh province with Doan Minh Huang, member of the Communist Party's Central Committee and secretary of the provincial party committee.   
  
A Bulgarian parliamentary delegation is on an official visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. 
“Talks are important because they will lead to the next steps - to specifics, to work in the joint committees, to better supporting relations with legislations and agreements,” Zhelyazkov added,  
  
He noted that it is interesting for the Bulgarian parliamentary delegation to get acquainted with the socio-economic development of Vietnam in search of new opportunities for tourism, education, but also to exchange experience in regional politics. The Bulgarian delegation also includes the mayor of Kazanlak, so the talks will be not only at the national but also at the regional level, Zhelyazkov said. 
 
According to Zhelyazkov, the current visit should be seen as a high-level political visit to chart the path for the executive. The Speaker recalled that during the visit of the Vietnamese parliamentary delegation to Sofia last September, five documents on cooperation between Bulgaria and Vietnam were signed, which will be successfully implemented.  
 
The Speaker expressed the hope that when the 75th anniversary of the establishment of bilateral diplomatic relations is celebrated in 2025, intensive ties will have been established. 

At the beginning of the meeting, Doan Minh Huang pointed to tourism, cultural heritage as a priority direction for the development of the Ninh Binh province. “With your visit, we hope to introduce you to cultural heritage, an area where we can cooperate,” he said. Doan Minh Huang expressed hope that Zhelyazkov would help implement cooperation between the province and Bulgarian cities, and share experiences in tourism development. 

Zhelyazkov received a ceramic vase as a gift. In turn, he gave the host a plaque commemorating the 140th anniversary of the Bulgarian National Assembly. The meeting ended with a family photo.