HÀ NỘI — Prime Minister Nguyễn Xuân Phúc hosted a reception for Chairwoman of the Lao National Assembly (NA) Pany Yathotou in Hà Nội on Tuesday.

Phúc lauded the visit of the top Lao legislator, which contributes to fostering co-operation between the two countries’ parties, governments, and NAs.

The Vietnamese leader expressed his delight at the positive results of the partnership between Việt Nam and Laos, especially in trade and border co-operation, as well as the outcomes of the recent Laos visit by Party General Secretary, President Nguyễn Phú Trọng, which created a strong driving force for further collaboration between the two parties and states.

For her part, the Lao NA leader congratulated Việt Nam for successfully hosting the second DPRK-USA summit, demonstrating Việt Nam’s role and contributions in building peace and ensuring stability in the world.

She said that over the years, the NAs of Việt Nam and Laos had collaborated closely and fruitfully.

During her visit, the two legislative bodies would promote the efficiency of their cooperation, she said, adding that the Lao delegation had learnt a lot from the experience of the Vietnamese side in many areas, including land management policy.

In a working session with leaders of Hà Nội, the delegation learnt about the city’s implementation of the Vietnamese government’s directions and NA’s resolutions, she noted. The delegation also visited an economic model applicable to Laos in Hà Nội.

Lao NA leader Pany Yathotou thanked the Party, State, Government, and NA of Việt Nam for helping Laos in the construction of a new building for the Lao NA. She stressed that the Vietnamese government and the PM had always offered timely and effective support to Lao people in many areas, especially in overcoming the consequences of the Attapeu hydropower dam collapse, which showed the special solidarity and borderless assistance that Vietnamese people had given to their Lao friends.

PM Phúc said that although Việt Nam still faced many difficulties, the country had always been willing to give whole-hearted support to the Lao people.

He proposed that the NAs of Việt Nam and Laos continue working together to reinforce the special ties by maintaining high-level visits and bilateral co-operation mechanisms; expanding and enhancing the efficiency of partnership in various areas such as security, defence, economy, trade, and investment; and strengthening communications and education in the tradition of the Việt Nam-Laos special solidarity among youngsters.

The two sides should continue supporting each other at international and regional forums, especially the UN and ASEAN, as well as sub-regional mechanisms; while increasing the sharing of information, experience, and expertise; and co-ordinating closely at regional and international inter-parliamentary forums, he suggested.

Phúc expressed his hope that Việt Nam and Laos would work closely together with one another and with other countries and organisations in sustainably managing and using the Mekong River’s water resources, responsibly exploiting hydropower resources to ensure water security for the interest of all concerned sides and people.

Việt Nam was willing to co-operate with and assist Laos in realising its strategy of energy development, including hydropower energy, stated the PM. — VNS