Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung on December 10 received a high-level delegation from Laos headed by Politburo member and Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, who is on a working visit to Vietnam.

Laoly congratulated the Vietnamese people for their significant achievements gained during the implementation of the 11 th National Party Congress resolution.

He expressed heartfelt thanks to the Party, Government and people of Vietnam for their great support and assistance to Laos in all development phases of the country’s revolution.

He briefed Dung on Laos ’ current situation and the results of a meeting between Vietnam and Laos that discussed measures to build a stable and developed border between the two countries, as well as cooperation results between the Lao side and Vietnam ’s Steering Committee for the Northwestern Region.

The Party, State and Government of Laos appreciate the cooperation between the two nations to build and develop the border region, Laoly said, adding that Laos will continue to coordinate with the Vietnamese side to overcome shortcomings and accomplish their joint border region targets.

Dung congratulated Laos for its successful organisation of the Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) 9 and its official membership of the World Trade Organisation (WTO).

He showed his pleasure for the deepening special relationship between Vietnam and Laos , especially in the 2012 Vietnam–Laos and Laos–Vietnam Friendship and Solidarity Year. Various practical activities were held by the two sides, contributing to strengthening the special ties, he stressed.

Dung also praised the efforts and important contributions made by the two sides’ relevant agencies to build a common border of stability and development.

He affirmed that the Party, State, Government and people of Vietnam will always stand side-by-side with the Party, State, Government and people of Laos to conserve, protect and cultivate the special relationship that was built by bone and blood of the two peoples.

Earlier on December 9, the Steering Committee for the Northwestern Region of Vietnam held a meeting in Hanoi to discuss measures to cooperate and build a border of stability and development between Vietnam and Laos .

At the meeting, co-hosted by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc, who is the head of the committee, and Lao Deputy Prime Minister Asang Laoly, participants spoke highly of the cooperation to implement projects in the border region between the two sides.

They also pointed out shortcomings and discussed measures and the future course of their cooperation to build a border of stability and comprehensive development./.VNA