The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) and the Lao news agency KPL have agreed to forge deeper links in future, focussing on improving the quality of the news stories exchanged between the two sides and the dissemination of information on the two nations’ special friendship.

The two agencies reached this agreement during talks between VNA General Director Nguyen Duc Loi and his KPL counterpart Sounthone Khanthavong in Hanoi on October 28.

The host and guest reviewed their relationship in 2014 and discussed measures to foster ties in 2015 under the protocol on press cooperation, which the two sides signed for the 2011-2015 period.

The VNA leader appreciated KPL’s effective support in adding VNA’s Vnews television channel to the Lao cable and satellite system, assuring that VNA will send experts to help the Lao news agency improve its technical facilities and train personnel.

The two sides will continue their cooperation on the publication of the Vietnam Pictorial in Lao, and the introduction of VNA’s electronic newspaper Vietnamplus.vn, and Vietnam Pictorial (in Lao) to readers via KPL’s website.

The two agencies’ leaders concurred that they will instruct relevant units to draft a protocol on cooperation for 2016-2020, which is expected to be signed by the end of 2015.

During their stay in Vietnam from October 27-November 2, the KPL delegation will hold a working session with representatives from the northern province of Ninh Binh.-VNA