National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn (R) and visiting Lao NA Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity Sommad Pholsena in Hà Nội on Thursday. VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI – National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn received visiting Lao NA Vice Chairman and Chairman of the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity Sommad Pholsena in Hà Nội on Thursday.

Stressing that Việt Nam consistently values its strategic relationship and comprehensive cooperation with Laos, including its Party, State, and people, Mẫn said the recent state visit to Laos by Tô Lâm, shortly after being elected President by the Vietnamese NA, exemplifies Việt Nam's unwavering policy of prioritising the strengthening and nurturing of the two nations’ great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation.

Việt Nam supports Laos' international role this year, including its chairmanship of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) and 45th AIPA General Assembly, the NA leader said, adding that the Vietnamese NA is ready to exchange experiences with its Lao counterpart.

Alongside the Party and State channels, people-to-people exchanges are crucial, providing a solid foundation for the development of both countries, he noted. Man also hailed the successful talks between the Vietnam Peace Committee, the Việt Nam Union of Friendship Organisations, and the Lao Committee for Peace and Solidarity, where the sides agreed on six key areas to further enhance cooperation.

Looking ahead, the top legislator proposed increasing exchanges of delegations at all levels, as well as historical and cultural education for the youth of both nations to deepen their understanding of the countries’ great friendship.

He also urged closer coordination and mutual support in multilateral people-to-people forums and mechanisms in the region and the world, and encouraged the sharing of experiences, especially with regard to the establishment of the Lao Union of Friendship Organisations.

For his part, the Lao official said Việt Nam’s regional and global role and stature have been elevated, guided by the country’s bamboo diplomacy.

He affirmed that the Lao NA would continue to work closely with the Vietnamese counterpart to implement cooperation agreements signed between the two countries and expressed his wish for the latter’s further cooperation and support for Laos’ ASEAN/AIPA Chair in 2024. VNS