A delegation from the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) led by its Professor Chau Van Minh, paid a working visit to Laos from March 6-9, to promote scientific and technological cooperation between the two countries.

Bounnhang Volachit, Lao Politburo member and Vice State President, warmly received the delegation on March 8. He passed on his congratulations on the success of Vietnam 11 th Party Congress and announced that Laos was well advanced with preparations for 9 th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party.

At the reception, Bounnhang Volachit also highly valued cooperation between VAST and the Lao National Committee of Science and Technology and expressed his hope that the two parties would further strengthen their cooperation, as well as exchange experiences on scientific research to promote the two nations’ development.

Professor Minh said that his visit was expected to foster comprehensive cooperation in the fields of science and technology between Vietnam and Laos in the future, as well as discuss a concrete cooperation plan between the two nations in the period 2011-2015.

Previously, at a meeting on March 7, the two parties exchanged views and agreed to cooperate in training and enhancing capacity on sci-tech research, climate change research, sustainable use of resources, environmental protection, territory planning, biodiversity, information technology and environmental technology.

On the occasion, Minh and Director of the Lao National Committee of Science and Technology, Bountiem Phissamay signed a memorandum of understanding on sci-tech cooperation between the two parties for the 2011-2015 period./.