National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung held talks with his Lao counterpart, Pany Yathotou, immediately after being welcomed in Vientiane on July 3.

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung and his Lao counterpart, Pany Yathotou. (Source:VNA)

At the talks, Hung thanked the Lao NA and Chairwoman Pany Yathotou for their warm welcome and said he is pleased to witness Laos ’ great development and changes.

He congratulated the Lao people on the achievements they have made over the past few years, saying that they have helped Laos to boost socio-economic development, improve people’s living standards and raise its position in the region and the world.

According to the Vietnamese NA leader, in the 2012 Year of Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity, both successfully organised a Vietnam-Laos National Assembly cooperation conference in Vietnam’s northern mountainous province of Son La in April.

On expressing his pleasure at the fine development of the relationship between the two Parties, States and peoples, Chairman Hung noted that both countries have effectively implemented their agreement on economic, cultural, scientific and technological cooperation.

They both hold regular exchanges between high-ranking officials, which helps to develop the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, he said.

Vietnam’s top legislator suggested that both nations pay more attention to cooperation initiatives in education and training and developing human resources. They also need to work closer together in economics, culture and scientific and technological cooperation.

More work needs done for localities along the border to enhance cooperation and to realise previously made commitments as well as to reach a consensus at multilateral forums, he said.

Hung highly praised the level of cooperation between the two NAs, both bilaterally and multilaterally. He said the Vietnamese and Lao legislative bodies should sign a new cooperation agreement as a legal foundation for carrying out future joint activities.

Yathotou thanked Chairman Hung for his visit, describing it as an important event that contributes to the success of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2012 and the celebrations of the 50 th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and the 35 th years since signing their Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

The visit will consolidate and deepen the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, National Assemblies and peoples in a more effective manner, she said.

Chairwoman Yathotou congratulated Vietnam on its achievements in socio-economic development despite the impacts of the world’s economic difficulties, helping raise the country’s position in international arena.

She said the Vietnamese National Assembly now operates better after being overhauled and has raised its role and position among the public, she added.

The Lao NA Chairwoman stated that the Lao Party, State and people have been always grateful for the wholehearted support and assistance from the Vietnamese Party, State and people during the former struggle for national independence in the past and during present national construction and development.

She expressed her pleasure at the fine cooperation between the two legislative bodies, adding that they should work closer together, especially in training staff, and strengthen the supervision of joint programmes and projects in agriculture, education and training, energy and mining.

The two sides should also support each other and enhance cooperation at regional and international forums, she said.

At the talks, the two top legislators informed each other of the socio-economic developments in their respective countries in the first half of 2012.

They also agreed to step up cooperation in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade and education and training as well as boosting cooperation between both legislative bodies, to bolster the friendship, special solidarity and cooperation between the two Parties, States and peoples.

After their talks, both leaders witnessed the signing of a cooperative agreement between the two National Assemblies.

The new agreement is based on the previously one but updated to accommodate the new situation.

Vietnamese NA Chairman Hung and his delegation also offered incense and laid a wreath at the monument to fallen soldiers in Vientiane.

Source: Vietnam Plus