Vietnam prioritises comprehensive cooperation with Laos, says ambassador

Ambassador Tam made the affirmation during an interview granted to Vientiane -based VOV correspondents, ahead of Chairman of the National Assembly Tran Thanh Man’s October 17-19 visit to Laos where he will also attend the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45).

Following is the full text of the interview.

VOV: Could you please evaluate the importance and significance of the top Vietnamese legislator’s visit to Laos, Ambassador?
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam: This is Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s first official visit to Laos in his new position. The visit aims to concretize the agreements between the senior leaders of the two Parties and two countries of Vietnam and Laos, affirming the consistent policy of the Vietnamese Party and State to prioritize the development of the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

At the same time, it will enhance mutual trust and connection between the senior leaders of the two countries; evaluate the results of cooperation between the two Parties and two countries, especially between the two National Assemblies; and discuss specific measures to further improve the effectiveness of their cooperation mechanisms, alongside exchanging views on some notable regional and global issues of mutual interest.

The visit takes place ahead of the 45th AIPA General Assembly, which Laos is hosting. It is not only a great opportunity to further strengthen strategic trust but also to expand parliamentary cooperation between the two countries, reflecting a continued proactive and positive approach to comprehensive and deep international integration, and enhancing multilateral diplomacy.

It affirms the Vietnamese National Assembly’s in making substantive contributions to AIPA, supporting Laos in its capacity as AIPA Chair, and working with other AIPA member parliaments to strengthen solidarity and the central role of ASEAN, enhance relations between AIPA and its partners, as well as between the Vietnamese National Assembly and other member and observer parliaments of AIPA. It also facilitates the exchange of information with lawmakers from other countries on common regional concerns for peace, cooperation, and development, as well as parliamentary activities.

We will also share our Party and State’s policies and our National Assembly’s activities in significantly contributing to the recovery and socio-economic development of the country.

VOV: In the current context of regional and global developments, what should the legislatures of Vietnam and Laos do to preserve and deepen the special relationship between the two countries, making it more effective and beneficial to both?
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Tam: Alongside the positive development of the relationship between the two Parties and countries, cooperation between the two legislatures has been continuously strengthened and developed. The two sides have maintained close and effective cooperation, making significant contributions to the overall relationship between the two countries. They actively coordinate to implement the cooperation agreement between the two National Assemblies.

Give the rapid and complex developments regionally and globally that deeply impact both Vietnam and Laos, the solidarity and mutual support between the two Parties, States, and National Assemblies is an objective factor, a historical rule, and one of the greatest strengths vital to each country’s cause of national construction and defense, helping to preserve and develop the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

In the future, the two legislatures should continue to focus on closely coordinating and exchanging experiences regarding legislation, supreme oversight, and decision making on important national issues. This includes monitoring and facilitating the effective implementation of high-level agreements and cooperation treaties between the two countries, especially the key tasks outlined in the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Strategy for 2021-2030 and the Vietnam-Laos Cooperation Agreement for 2021-2025.

They should continue organizing conferences and workshops to exchange experiences in various areas of parliamentary activity.

Another strategic issue is strengthening cooperation in training and developing high-quality human resources, focusing on nurturing management personnel of both National Assemblies. Additionally, the two sides will continue to closely coordinate, support each other, and exchange positions on international and regional issues at inter-parliamentary forums such as IPU, AIPA, APPF, and APF, thereby enhancing each country’s position and role regionally and globally.

Particularly, the two legislatures are actively working close together to compile and publish a book featuring 50 years of their parliamentary relations, to widely disseminate and raise awareness among the peoples of both countries about the close relationship between the two legislatures, contributing to a deeper understanding of the special relationship between the two countries.

I believe that Chairman Tran Thanh Man’s official visit to Laos and engagement in the 45th AIPA General Assembly will be a great success, contributing to strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States, National Assemblies, and peoples of both countries, making the Vietnam-Laos cooperation a rare, exemplary, and steadfast relationship in the world.