Vietnam will aim to enhance their trade and investment link with Laos by facilitating cooperation with businesses and economic groups, said Prime Minster Nguyen Tan Dung at a meeting with the Lao State President in Vientiane on November 4.

Dung said building economic ties would help cement the bilateral friendship further, during his talks with President Choummaly Sayasone, who is also General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, soon after his arrival in Vientiane for the 9 th Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM 9), which begins on November 5.

He congratulated Laos for having become a member of the World Trade Organisation, which, he said, marked a vital step for the country as it looks to integrate with the international community.

The PM spoke of Laos ’ efforts in preparing to host the ASEM 9, along with other Asia-Europe events this year.

The two leaders expressed their delight at the strengthening of ties between the two nations over the past 50 years.

They spoke highly of the successful organisation of events to mark the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Yea, which illustrated the importance of special bilateral ties and promoted understanding between the two people.

Choummaly said Laos would create possible favourable conditions to speed up the progress of projects agreed between Vietnam and Laos and make sure that they meet the required quality and effectiveness.

The two sides agreed to bring two-way trade turnover to a level of 1 billion USD this year and 2 billion USD in 2015./.VNA