Party leader Nong Duc Manh made the statement at separate meetings with National Assembly Chairman Thoongsing Thammavong, President of the Lao Front for National Construction Sisavath Keobounphan, and Prime Minister Buason Bupphavan in Vientiane on April 13.

Mr Manh told them that his current visit aims to discuss measures with Laos leaders to increase economic, trade and investment cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, as well as relations between their legislative bodies, governments and other socio-political organisations.

He spoke highly of the tremendous achievements the Lao people have made during the Renewal process, helping the nation maintain political stability, improve people’s standard of living and elevate its status internationally. He especially acknowledged the Lao government’s efforts to cushion the impact of the global economic turmoil and achieve a reasonable economic growth rate.

At a meeting with Thoongsing Thammavong, Party leader Manh said the two legislative bodies should increase the exchange of visits to share information and experience in legislation, supervision and decision making, while overseeing their governments in implementing high-level agreements.

Thoongsing Thammavong thanked the Vietnam National Assembly for providing practical and effective assistance to its legislative body, particularly in training human resources and upgrading equipment.

The Lao National Assembly will continue to work closely with the Vietnam National Assembly in regional and international forums, including the ASEAN Inter-parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) to help the latter fulfil its duty as AIPA Chair in 2010, he said.

While meeting with Party leader Manh, Sisavath Keobounphanh confirmed that Laos’ revolutionary cause is closely associated with Vietnam’s and that the Lao Front for National Construction will make every effort to cement friendly ties between the two countries, especially between border provinces.

For his part, Mr Manh suggested that the Vietnam Fatherland Front and the Lao Front for National Construction increase cooperation and assist each other in personnel training, religious and ethnic affairs, contributing to promoting national unity and the cause of national construction and defence in each country.

At another meting, PM Buason Bupphavan said his government will create favourable conditions for Vietnamese ministries and agencies to cooperate with their Lao counterparts.

He encouraged Vietnamese businesses to invest in energy, transport, post and telecommunications, oil exploration and the planting of industrial crops in Laos.

Both Mr Manh and Bupphavan shared the view that the two governments should iron out snags for their ministries, agencies, localities and businesses to boost cooperation. At the same time, they said, the two governments should offer incentives to increase the exchange of trade and services for mutual benefit.