Top legislators of Vietnam and Laos hold talks in Vientiane

The Lao NA leader welcomed his Vietnamese counterpart and his delegation’s official visit to Laos and their attendance at the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) chaired by Laos.

He expressed his confidence that the first Laos visit by Man in his current capacity will help tighten and reinforce the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in general and good collaboration between the two law-making bodies in particular.

The visit by a high-ranking Vietnamese delegation led by Chairman Man to AIPA-45 is a great source of encouragement for Laos, contributing to the success of AIPA-45 and further tightening ties between the two countries, Phomvihane told his guest.

The host leader thanked Vietnam for its support as Laos undertakes the roles of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024.

The top Vietnamese legislator congratulated Laos on its comprehensive achievements of historic significance after nearly 40 decades of renewal, including those in the implementation of the Resolution of the 11th National Party Congress and the 9th socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025. He said believed that under the sound leadership of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Laos will successfully organise the 12th National Party Congress in early 2026 and fulfil its national development strategies.

Vietnam consistently prioritizes its special traditional relationship with Laos, standing side by side with Laos in its national construction, defence and development, Man went on to say.

Host and guest agreed that the Vietnam - Laos great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, nurtured by President Ho Chi Minh, President Kaysone Phomvihane, President Suphanouvong, generations of leaders of both nations' Parties and States, and people, strengthened through challenges, and built on the efforts and blood of soldiers, have become an invaluable asset of the two peoples.
 

They showed their elation at outcomes of the strong cooperation between the two Parties and States, particularly a recent meeting of their Politburos to review and outline collaborative tasks. They also acknowledged the effectiveness of ongoing exchanges of delegations and bilateral cooperation mechanisms.

Concerning trade and investment, Phomvihane highlighted Vietnam as one of the top investors in Laos, with roughly 241 projects worth around US$5.47 billion.

He asked the Vietnamese NA to facilitate bilateral economic cooperation, particularly by increasing two-way trade. Impressed by Vietnam's agricultural successes, especially with many high-value economic products, he wished Vietnam to share its experience in this regard.

The two NA leaders laid stress on the fruitful cooperation between the two legislative bodies, saying that both sides are actively carrying out the cooperation agreement signed by the two legislatures in May 2022.

Additionally, they have maintained regularly the exchange of delegations at all levels, offered mutual support at international and regional inter-parliamentary forums, coordinated to hold thematic workshops and seminars during visits by the two countries' NA leaders. Notably, they have conducted joint oversight over important strategic economic projects.

They applauded the visit to Laos by NA Vice Chairman Nguyen Khac Dinh in July and one to Vietnam by Lao NA Vice Chairman Sommad Pholsena in September, during which the two sides shared experience in and practical lessons on the amendment of the constitutions and laws to serve development requirements in the new period as well as building and implementation of socio-economic development policies.

Man affirmed Vietnam’s readiness to share experience with Laos in this field.

Regarding the book featuring the relations between the two parliaments over the past five decades, they proposed that both sides join hands to study and expedite the compilation of the book to spotlight the development, achievements, and experience to improve the cooperation efficacy in the new period while raising public awareness of the close bonds between the two NAs.

To further boost the bilateral collaboration, the two top legislators consented to continue carrying out discussions and experience sharing in the areas of mutual interests, especially in building and completing institutions, legal system, supreme supervision and decision making in important issues. They also reached a consensus on launching cooperation activities in flexible forms while joining hands to supervise the implementation of bilateral agreements and investment projects and recommending measures to remove bottlenecks and offer optimal conditions for Vietnamese firms to run their business in Laos.

They urged the completion of institutions and policies to facilitate the implementation of high-level agreements between the two Politburos and Government.

They also underscored the significance of fostering solidarity, close coordination and support at regional and international forums, particularly the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly, Inter-Parliamentary Union, and Asia – Pacific Parliamentary Forum, contributing to maintaining an environment of peace and stability for development.

Man expressed his hope that the two legislative bodies will further enhance their roles in extending the strength of cooperation in politics, defence, and security to economy and other areas. He called for the establishment of cooperative mechanisms to settle challenges and create momentum for the development of the bilateral relations.

After the talks, the two NA leaders witnessed the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Vietnamese NA’s Committee on External Relations and the Lao NA’s Foreign Affairs Committee and one on the establishment of friendship cooperation ties between Hoi An city in Vietnam's Quang Nam province and Luang Prabang city in the Lao province of the same name.