Party Chief meets top Lao leaders

General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh had separate meetings with leaders of the Lao national assembly, government and mass organisation in Vientiane on April 13, discussing measures to enhance bilateral ties.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Nong Duc Manh had separate meetings with leaders of the Lao national assembly, government and mass organisation in Vientiane on April 13, discussing measures to enhance bilateral ties.

General Secretary Manh stressed that the Vietnamese Party and State is whole-heartedly dedicated to the continuing mission of strengthening and fostering the traditional relations, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos , in line with the aspirations of its two peoples and contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world as a whole.

He praised Laos on its admirable achievements in socio-economic development, the maintenance of political stability, the improvement of people’s living conditions, and the expansion of external relations, which have contributed to elevating the country’s profile and position in the international arena.

Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Thoongsing Thammavong expressed his pleasure at the close cooperation between the two legislative bodies in both bilateral and multilateral areas. He thanked the Vietnamese National Assembly for its practical assistance, particularly in human resources training, and the upgrade of facilities and equipment.

The Lao National Assembly will spare no effort to foster the traditional friendship and special solidarity with Vietnam, Chairman Thoongsing Thammavong affirmed, stressing the Lao NA’s support for and coordination with the Vietnamese NA at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, including the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), to help the latter fulfil its duty as AIPA Chair in 2010.

General Secretary Manh said the two legislative bodies need to promote cooperation and the exchange of experiences in legislation as well as the implementation of oversight and decision-making functions, along with joint checks and the acceleration of the two governments’ implementation of bilateral agreements.

President of the Lao Front for National Construction Sisavath Keobounphanh affirmed his organisation will spare no effort to contribute to the special traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries’ people, particularly those in localities sharing a common borderline.

General Secretary Manh hailed the Lao Front for National Construction and the Vietnam Fatherland Front for the role in boosting ties between the two countries.

He urged the two mass organisations to provide mutual help in personnel training, contributing to strengthening the great national unity and national construction and defence in each country.

Prime Minister Bouason Bouphavanh said the Lao government will promote and facilitate the cooperation between Vietnamese ministries, agencies and localities and their Lao counterparts on development, and encourage major Vietnamese businesses to invest in Laos , especially in energy, transport, post, telecommunications, oil and gas, and industrial crop planting.

General Secretary Manh and PM Bouason Bouphavanh agreed that the two governments need to work together in promoting and overseeing the implementation of high-level bilateral agreements, easing difficulties and creating more conditions for ministries, agencies, localities and firms of both countries to cooperate.

The two sides also need to give priority to each other, accelerate trade and the exchange of goods and services, and cooperate in taking measures to fully tap each country’s potential based on equal partnership and mutual benefit, they said./.

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