National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn (right) presents a gift to Chairman of the Laos - Việt Nam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara. — VNA/VNS Photo

VIENTIANE – National Assembly Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn received Chairman of the Laos - Việt Nam Friendship Association Boviengkham Vongdara and Vice President of the Central Committee of the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) Chanphenh Soutthivong in Vientiane on Friday as part of his official visit to the neighbouring country and attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).

Mẫn hailed the LFNC Central Committee’s role in the cause of national construction and development in Laos, as well as its cooperation outcomes with the Central Committee of the Việt Nam Fatherland Front (VFF), especially their collaboration agreement for 2022-2027.

He also commended Boviengkham’s role in and contributions to raising the awareness of the public, particularly the young generation, of the special friendship between the two countries.

Mẫn suggested the two sides continue their close coordination in implementing the agreement across spheres, facilitating the operations of Vietnamese businesses in Laos, as well as the activities of Vietnamese organisations and associations in the country, contributing to local socio-economic development and the bilateral ties.

The two front organisations should enhance cooperation through training and the sharing of experience in the areas of shared interests, and promote their role in social feedback, especially in the building and perfection of institutions and laws, supreme supervision, and making decisions on major national matters, he said.

The Vietnamese leader also urged the two front organisations to closely coordinate with NA agencies in monitoring the implementation of signed documents.

Stressing the need to step up people-to-people exchanges, he suggested the Laos-Việt Nam Friendship Association to organise more practical activities and work together with competent Lao agencies in support of Vietnamese living and working in the country.

In reply, Boviengkham said Mẫn’s selection of Laos as the first country in Asia for his official visit reflects the special sentiments that the Party, State, and people of Việt Nam, as well as the NA Chairman himself, have reserved for the Party, State, and people of Laos.

He briefed the leader on the close ties between the Lao-Việt Nam Friendship Association and the Việt Nam-Laos Friendship Association with various practical activities, contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

Boviengkham called on the Vietnamese chief legislator to further support cooperation between the two associations in the time ahead. — VNS