Hanoi (ANTARA News/Xinhua-OANA) - Vietnamese National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan met with visiting Ireland`s Minister for Youth and Children Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald, here on Thursday.

Relations between Vietnam and Ireland have developed smoothly in recent years, especially in economy, trade, education and training, said Ngan.

Ngan thanked the government and people of Ireland for their assistance to Vietnam in the latter`s implementation of socio- economic development plans and poverty reduction efforts.

Vietnam has attached importance to friendship and all-sided cooperation with Ireland and considered cooperation on development as top priority in bilateral ties, she stressed.

Reviewing economic achievements, policies on social security and insurance of children`s rights in Vietnam over the past years, Ngan said that the Vietnamese government had attached importance to childcare and education, considering it a priority in the country`s strategy on human resources development.

Currently, Vietnam is facing with certain challenges. Vietnam and Ireland should further promote cooperation, particularly in child education and related affairs, by sharing experience in the area, Ngan suggested.

The Irish minister thanked the host for warm welcome, saying the visit was her first overseas trip in the position, which aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation, especially in maintaining cooperation in child adoption between the two countries.

Vietnam has achieved remarkable results in childcare and education, so the two sides should soon complete procedures for the signing of an agreement on child adoption, said the Irish minister. (*)

Editor: Kunto Wibisono
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