Vietnam and Laos have agreed to cooperate more on issues concerning civil servants, public affairs, local authority management and administrative reforms.

A memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed between the Ministries of Home Affairs of the two countries in Hanoi on June 18.

Under the MoU, both ministries will increase the exchange of information and experience in fields of their charge as well as visits by senior level officials and specialists.

The Vietnamese Ministry of Home Affairs will provide professional assistance to its Lao counterpart by sending specialists to help draw up policies and laws for this field.

Vietnam will also offer one month training courses for 20 Lao officials each year.

Speaking at the signing ceremony, Laos Minister for Home Affairs Khampan Philavong praised Vietnam for supporting Laos General Department of Administration and Civil Servant Management (now the Ministry for Home Affairs).

He said he hoped that Vietnam will continue to support and work with Laos ’ newly established Ministry for Home Affairs to help it to create an effective and efficient administration.

According to Vietnam’s Minister for Home Affairs Nguyen Thai Binh, the two ministries have well implemented their agreements signed in 2002 and 2006, representing solidarity, friendship and mutual assistance between both countries.-VNA