HÀ NỘI – The top legislators of Việt Nam and Laos yesterday agreed to enhance co-ordination for effective implementation of agreements reached by the two parliaments.

In talks held in Hà Nội before signing a five-year (2017-2021) co-operation pact, they said this would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Vietnamese NA Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân and visiting Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou also stressed that the two sides need to maintain regular exchange visits by senior officials of both countries.

They said ministries, sectors and localities of both countries should also increase interaction and exchange experiences.
They agreed that both sides will continue supporting each other at global and regional forums, and strengthen sub-regional co-operation mechanisms in the context of increasingly complicated developments in the world and the region.
Ngân affirmed that the two parliaments will work to accelerate construction of the parliament building in Laos.
They will also organise exchanges between parliamentarians’ friendship groups, female NA deputies and young lawmakers of both two countries, she said.
The Vietnamese NA will work hard to organise activities celebrating the 55th anniversary of Việt Nam-Laos diplomatic ties and 40 years of the Việt Nam-Laos Friendship and Co-operation Treaty, she added.
The two NA leaders highlighted the significance of the upcoming inauguration of the Việt Nam-Laos revolutionary historical site in Son La Province, saying it would educate younger generations about the special solidarity that the countries enjoy.
Pany Yathotou, who is on a week-long official visit, hoped her visit will contribute to further deepening the special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation between the two Parties, States and legislatures.
She thanked Việt Nam for its valuable, timely and effective assistance to her country in the past struggle for national liberation as well as in the current national construction and defence process.
The Lao Party and State highly value Việt Nam’s financial assistance to Laos in constructing the parliament building, considering it a vivid manifestation of the special friendship and solidarity between the two nations, she said.
She said the two parliaments to urge their respective governments to issue policies and measures to further bolster bilateral links in trade, investment and education.
Committees of the two legislative bodies need to continue supervising the implementation of commitments and co-operation agreements reached between their Governments, especially on border issues, natural resources management, and environmental protection, she added.
 

Pany Yathotou expressed her hope that the Vietnamese NA and provincial-level people’s councils will continue their support and share experiences with their Lao counterparts in the coming time.
After their talks, the top legislators signed a five year (2017-21) co-operation agreement between the two legislatures, and witnessed the signing of a co-operation agreement between the two NA offices for the same period.

Leaders’ reception

During a reception for the visiting top legislator of Laos yesterday, Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng affirmed that Việt Nam fully supports national reform, construction and defence in Laos.

He believed that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), the direction of the government and the supervision of the NA, the Lao people will successfully implement the resolution set by the LPRP’s 10th National Congress.

He suggested enhancing the sharing of information, experience and expertise in legislation, supervision and major issues while directing ministries, agencies, localities, and businesses to implement Việt Nam-Laos joint statements, agreements by high-ranking leaders of the two parties and countries, and co-operation programmes between the two governments.

Receiving NA Chairwoman of Laos Yathotou yesterday, President Trần Đại Quang expressed his delight that the relationship between Việt Nam and Laos continued to progress through increased high-ranking visits and meetings in various spheres between the two sides.

The President called for the two parliaments to fortify co-operation, share experience in forming institutions and legal systems, and in supervision of law enforcement and enhance facilitate co-operation projects between the two countries.

Yathotou affirmed that she would work to ensure co-operation projects between the two Governments were implemented effectively, contributing to reinforced bilateral ties.

She believed that as the host of APEC Year 2017, Việt Nam will successfully hold the large-scale diplomatic event to further assert the country’s position in the international arena. — VNS