Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng (R) receives Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hà Nội yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Trí Dũng

HÀ NỘI — Party General Secretary Nguyễn Phú Trọng has urged the Governments of Việt Nam and Laos to develop measures to increase two-way trade and boost connectivity in their economies, transport infrastructure and energy systems.

At a reception for Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith in Hà Nội yesterday, the Party leader called on the two governments to remove obstacles so as to ensure the progress and quality of Vietnamese investment projects in Laos.

General Secretary Trọng also stressed the need to improve the quality and efficiency of bilateral cooperation in education and human resource development.

Apart from sharing information and experiences in State and socio-economic management and the implementation of Party resolutions, Việt Nam and Laos should step up collaboration in national defence, security and external affairs, he said.

The General Secretary spoke highly of PM Sisoulith’s visit to Việt Nam, which takes place when the two countries are celebrating the 55th founding anniversary of diplomatic ties and 40 years since the signing of the Việt Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation.

The Party chief affirmed Việt Nam’s strong and comprehensive support for the causes of reform, national defence and development in Laos, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, the management of the Government and the supervision of the National Assembly, the Lao people would reap great achievements.

PM Sisoulith asserted that the Lao Government would coordinate with its Vietnamese counterpart to instruct relevant ministries, agencies and localities to effectively implement agreements reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries, as well as deals signed at the 39th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee, and carefully prepare for the 40th meeting of the committee.

The same day, PM Sisoulith and his entourage visited former Party General Secretaries Lê Khả Phiêu and Nông Đức Mạnh. They noted with joy the development of the Việt Nam-Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, bringing practical benefits to their people and significantly contributing to national development and defence in each country.

The two sides described the special relationship as an invaluable asset of the two Parties and nations. The relationship should be consolidated by the Parties, States and people of the two countries and handed down to young generations, they said.

Also yesterday, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân met with visiting Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith.

During the meeting, she suggested the law-making bodies of Việt Nam and Laos study measures to deepen the two countries’ political ties and enhance the efficiency of cooperation across sectors.

Ngân congratulated the Lao people and Party on their immense achievements over the past time, saying these heightened the position of Laos on the international arena.

She expressed her delight at the growing special relations and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, especially the successful meeting of the two Political Bureaus in 2017, and the good outcomes of the 39th meeting of the Việt Nam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee and visits by the countries’ leaders. She said she was pleased with the outcomes of the talks between the two PMs on October 2, which sought to promote the special Việt Nam -Laos ties more practically, especially in trade, investment and transport connectivity.

She urged the two legislatures to work closely with relevant agencies to boost supervision over joint programmes and projects, and the exchange of experience and expertise in law making and the settlement of voters’ concerns.

PM Thongloun Sisoulith emphasised that the two countries would continue promoting the special Laos- Việt Nam ties among the people, especially the youth.

The leaders agreed that the two countries had successfully organized many activities celebrating the Việt Nam -Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year 2017. — VNS