Leaders from Vietnam and Laos outlined future development plans and make arrangements for the two countries’ 2012 Friendship Year celebrations at their gathering in Hanoi on October 14.

The gathering with Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc was part of the working visit to Vietnam by Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavad.

The two, who are also chairmen of the two countries’ Inter-Government Sub-Committees for Cooperation, made preparations for the meeting of the Inter-Government Committee due to be held in Vietnam later this year.

They also discussed measures to enhance the bilateral solidarity and cooperation relations, as well as the arrangements for activities marking the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012.

Deputy PM Phuc used the occasion to congratulate his Lao counterpart on co-authoring a book on the Vietnam-Laos fighting alliance during the resistance war, asserting that the book will help educate young generations on the two nations’ historic bond.-VNA