Minister of Finance Vuong Dinh Hue on Feb. 5 met with his Lao counterpart Phouphet Khamphounvong in Hanoi to discuss economic and financial situation in each country.

The two ministers reviewed important events in the cooperative relations between the two ministries in 2012. They said the financial cooperation has contributed to the development of the two countries’ general relationship.

In the Vietnam-Lao Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012, the two ministries carried out a number of projects aimed at helping the Lao side upgrade its financial schools and organised an exchange for staff from the two sides.

For the cooperation in 2013, Hue proposed the two sides give priority to personnel training for Laos’ financial sector, including the upgrading of training schools of the Lao finance ministry.

He added that Vietnam will continue to provide aid to Laos in the form of equipment and facilities. The two ministries should also work together to complete the legal framework and organizational structure for the financial sector in their respective countries.

On the occasion, Minister Hue, at the authorization of the Vietnamese State President, presented the Independence Order, second class, to Minister Phouphet Khamphounvong in recognition of his contributions to strengthening the traditional friendship relations between the two countries. Vice Finance Minister of Laos Santiphab Phomvihane was also awarded the Independence Order, third class.

On behalf of the Lao Government, Minister Phouphet granted the Issara Order, second class, to Minister Hue and Vice Finance Minister Nguyen Cong Nghiep.-VNA