VIENTIANE – Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân held talks with her Lao counterpart Pany Yathtou in Vientiane yesterday, during which she affirmed that Việt Nam prioritises co-operation with Laos.
The Việt Nam-Laos relationship is vital for both countries and an invaluable treasure that the two parties and peoples have handed down to younger generations, said Ngân who is on her first visit abroad as Chairwoman of the National Assembly.
During the visit, the Vietnamese side hopes to discuss the Party Congress as well as the general election in each country, she said.
At the talks, the two top legislators reviewed the outcomes of their supervision over bilateral co-operation deals, while seeking ways to enhance friendship and co-operation between the two legislative bodies.
They noted that the rapidly changing regional and world situation has generated opportunities and challenges for the development of Việt Nam and Laos. They pointed to the need for both sides to strengthen co-ordination to find solutions to socio-economic problems.
At the same time, the two sides expressed delight at growing ties in economics, trade, investment and official development assistance from the central to local levels.
Vietnam is currently the third largest investor in Laos with total investment of more than US$5 billion.
Bilateral partnership in education, transport, finance, banking, health care, culture and tourism as well as people-to-people contacts between the two people have been expanded, they noted, adding that the two countries have built a border of friendship and peace.
The two chief legislators agreed to enhance co-operation in personnel training and experience sharing, especially in institutional and legal building and the supervision of law enforcement.
The two sides will partner with each other in inaugurating the Việt Nam-Laos revolutionary relic site in Viet Nam’s northern mountainous province of Sơn La to mark the 55th anniversary of bilateral diplomatic ties and 40 years since the signing of the Việt Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Co-operation.
At the same time, they will increase their supervision over and create optimal conditions for the implementation of joint investment projects.
NA Chairwoman Ngân proposed the Lao legislative body and Government deepen bilateral co-operation.
Both the host and guest agreed to continue their co-ordination at international parliamentary forums.
The Lao law-making body showed its support for the East Sea-related contents of the Joint Statement issued at the 49th ASEAN Ministerial Meeting.
The Lao side committed to realising the consensus on the sustainable and effective use and management of the Mekong River’s water resources reached by the two countries’ leaders.
The leaders voiced their support for the two Governments’ early negotiations of the agreement on extradition co-operation and another agreement on the transfer of prisoners.
The same day, Chairwoman Ngân met with staff of the Vietnamese Embassy and representatives of the Vietnamese community and Vietnamese businesses in Laos. 

Meeting with Lao Party leader

Also yesterday, NA Chairwoman Ngân met with Party General Secretary and President of Laos Bounnhang Volachith as part of her official visit to the country.
The top legislator lauded the development of friendship and co-operation between Vietnam and Laos.
Việt Nam prioritises enhancing the relationship with Laos, she affirmed, adding that the two countries are joining hands to organise activities marking the 55th anniversary of bilateral ties and 40 years since the signing of the Việt Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2017.
Briefing her host on outcomes of her talks with Lao National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Pany Yathotou, the guest said the two sides reached consensus on action plans and co-operation between the two NAs.
They will increase the exchange of information and experience in legislative activities as well as the supervision and decision making on the country’s important issues, she said, calling for the Lao leader’s support for legislative ties.
Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith appreciated Ngân’s selection of Laos for her first overseas trip after taking office.
He said the visit has contributed to deepening the solidarity between the two countries.
The same day, NA Chairwoman Ngân laid a wreath at the monument dedicated to unknown martyrs in Vientiane.— VNS