Assembly head calls for tighter bonds with Laos

National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung (right) greets Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou at a meeting to mark the 50th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang

Son La — Viet Nam is committed to raising its comprehensive co-operation with Laos to a higher level, Nguyen Sinh Hung, Chairman of the National Assembly told participants at the conference on Viet Nam-Laos Parliamentary Co-operation Relations, Solidarity and Friendship in the northwestern province of Son La yesterday.

The event marked the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 35th anniversary of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Co-operation Treaty signing.

Addressing those in attendance, Hung said the event was an occasion for the two nations to review and deepen their special solidarity and friendship which had been fostered by Presidents Ho Chi Minh and Kayson Phomvihan.

"The conference is an opportunity for us to discuss orientations and measures to promote the relationship between the two legislative bodies and the two nations," said Hung.

Laos National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou expressed her deep gratitude for the Vietnamese Government and people's timely and valuable support and assistance to Laos over the past half a century.

"Though the international and regional situation has experienced complicated developments, the Laos-Viet Nam special relations and comprehensive co-operation have seen much progress, in both scope and scale, for the prosperity and happiness of people of the two countries," Yathotou said.

Nguyen Xuan Phuc, Deputy Prime Minister cum Chairman of the sub-committee of the Viet Nam-Laos co-operation, said over the past 35 years of co-operation great progress has been recorded in all domains, particularly in the field of investment.

He said "many big projects were signed that had direct impacts on economic co-operation between the two countries."

Somsavat Lengsavad, Deputy Prime Minister cum Chairman of the Laos-Viet sub committee on co-operation, wanted the two sides to continue to expand their co-operation at the central, local and enterprise levels.

Lengsavad asked the parliaments of the two countries to closely monitor the implementation of agreements signed by the two parties, including the areas of justice, mechanism and policies.

The same day, Ministers of Planning and Investment from the two countries delivered their reports on bilateral co-operation results and plans for the future. — VNS