Chairwoman of the National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân (right) welcomes the visiting Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Sunday in Hà Nội. — VNA/VNS Photo Trọng Đức

HÀ NỘI — Chairwoman of the Việt Nam’s National Assembly Nguyễn Thị Kim Ngân met with Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith on Sunday who is in Việt Nam’s for the 43rd meeting of the Việt Nam-Lao Inter-Governmental Committee.

The Vietnamese top legislator praised the outcomes of the inter-governmental committee’s meeting, with the signing of 17 cooperative documents, and outlining of cooperative strategies over the next 10 years.

She congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their socio-economic achievements in the recent past amid the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing her strong belief that Laos will successfully carry out its socio-economic development plan during 2020-2015, and organise the 11th national congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in 2021.

The Lao PM thanked Việt Nam for organising the ceremony to mark 45th anniversary of the Lao National Day, and 100th birthday of late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane on December 2.

Ngân and the Lao PM discussed the recent sittings of the two parliaments, and talked about preparations for the election of deputies to the National Assembly and all-level People’s Council in Việt Nam.

She stressed both Việt Nam and Laos have promoted effective cooperation across various sectors during the pandemic, and thanked Laos for organising activities in celebrations of Vietnam’s important events and the bilateral relations.

Touching on the parliamentary ties, Ngân spoke highly of the two parliaments’ cooperation, particularly at the regional and international forums such as IPU and APPF. She used the occasion to thank Laos for its support and participation in ASEAN and AIPA activities chaired by Việt Nam in 2020.

The Vietnamese National Assembly would coordinate with Lao to create favourable conditions for the two governments to carry out high-level agreements, and enhance supervision of the implementation of the deals, she said, stressing the Vietnamese National Assembly will work to ensure key projects between the two nations complete in line with schedule, including the Lao National Assembly building.

She said the Vietnamese National Assembly attached much importance to improving cooperation efficiency in the fields of economy, trade, investment, and education-training, as well as pushing the implementation of key projects between the two nations.

The Lao PM spoke highly of Việt Nam in the roles of the ASEAN Chair and AIPA 41 Chair in 2020.

Both sides agreed that it would be important to raise young people’s awareness of the sound traditional relations between the two countries, saying it helps unceasingly consolidate the Việt Nam-Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the future. — VNS