A delegation of the Vietnam National Assembly Council of Ethnic Affairs led by Deputy Head Trieu Thi Nai is on a working visit to Laos from Mar. 24-30.

The delegation was received by Saysomphon Phomvihan, Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly and Phanduangchit Vongsa, President of the Lao Front for National Construction.

The Lao leaders briefed the delegation on their country’s socio-economic development, as well as preparations for the major celebrations in 2012 – the Laos-Vietnam Solidarity and Friendship Year.

They highly valued recent cooperation between the Council of Ethnic Affairs and the Committee for Ethnic Affairs of the two countries’ legislative bodies.

The Lao leaders said that Laos attaches importance to ethnic affairs and encouraged the two sides to continue strengthening the exchange of information and experience and provide mutual assistance to improve cultural life, maintaining order and security while fighting forces undermining national solidarity.

Vice Chairwoman Nai informed the Lao leaders of outcomes of her talks with the Lao Committee for Ethnic Affairs, in which the two sides affirmed a commitment to promote mutual assistance and share experience on policies and plans for assistance to ethnic people and poverty reduction.-VNA