Receiving a delegation from the Vietnamese Ministry of Culture and Information (MoCI), led by Minister Le Doan Hop, in Vientiane on December 22, PM Bouphavanh asked the MoCI to join hands with the Lao Ministry of Information and Culture to increase cultural and art exchange programmes in 2007 to celebrate the 45^th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the 30^th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty.

The Lao government leader urged the two ministries to work hard to raise public awareness, particularly among younger generations, of the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and people.

For his part, Minister Hop informed his host of the results of the talks with the Lao Ministry of Information and Culture.

Vietnam, Laos promote cooperation in culture and information

Vietnamese and Lao Culture and Information Ministers on December 22 discussed measures to boost exchange of experiences in organisation, management and encouragement of information and cultural activities between the two ministries.

Minister Le Doan Hop led a delegation of the Vietnamese Culture Information Ministry arrived in Vientiane earlier the same day for a Laos visit.

During their meeting, the two ministers praised the results of the two ministries' cooperation in recent years, particularly in personnel training, the construction of a Lao national film archive, and the screening of each other's films on important events.

Minister Mounkeo Olaboun of the Lao Ministry of Information-Culture praised Vietnam News Agency's assistance to the Lao News Agency (KPL) to upgrade its information system and capacity.

The Lao side asked Vietnam to help Laos build a national music and fine arts school meeting international standards. The two sides will continue to implement projects on cooperation in television broadcasting.