Vietnam, Laos’ fronts and ministries step up cooperation

Vice Chairman and Secretary General of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Le Tien Chau (centre) pays a courtesy call to Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune (right), President of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee, on May 16. (Photo: mattran.org.vn)

Vientiane (VNA) – Vice Chairman and SecretaryGeneral of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Central Committee Le Tien Chaupaid a courtesy call to Sinlavong Khoutphaythoune, President of the Lao Frontfor National Construction (LFNC) Central Committee, on May 16.

Chau is accompanying Chairman of the National Assembly VuongDinh Hue on his official visit to Laos from May 15 – 17.

Affirming the growing bilateral relations, the officialsagreed to focus their attention on organising activities marking the twocountries’ Solidarity and Friendship Year 2022, the 60th anniversaryof the diplomatic ties, and the 45th year of the signing of theTreaty of Friendship and Cooperation.

The two are scheduled to visit each other’scountry this year. Vietnam and Laos also plan to hold a conference on buildinga shared border of peace and friendship in 2022.

Previously, Chau met leaders of the associations of the Vietnamese people in Laos and Thailand and the Vietnamese business associationin Laos to get to know their wishes and opinions after being severely impacted bythe COVID-19 pandemic over the last two years. The Vietnamese community in Laosand Thailand has a total population of about 100,000 people.

Minister of Construction Nguyen Thanh Nghi also met with LaoMinister of Public Works and Transport Viengsavath Siphandone who suggested thetwo ministries develop deeper and effective cooperation and sign new agreementsin the upcoming visit by the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transportdelegation to Vietnam.

A Ministry of Construction delegation led by Minister Nguyen Thanh Nghi meets with offcials from the Lao Ministry of Public Works and Transport on the same day. (Photo: Vietnam's Ministry of Construction)

Siphandone also expressed his wish for the Vietnamese Ministry ofConstruction to share experience in policymaking, urban and urban architecturalplanning, handling hydropower plant accidents, and developing national andregional master plans.

Agreeing with his host’s proposal, Nghi said the two sides should promptly foster bilateral cooperation in a more practical and effective manner.He also noted that his ministry has been focusing on law revision and buildingas well as housing development, particularly for low- and middle-income peopleand factory workers.

Ending the discussion, they agreed to establish a newmechanism for more effective partnership and set up contacts for addressing majorissues between the two sides, especially developing a draft of a newmemorandum of understanding and co-hosting this year’s celebration events./.

VNA