Top lawmaker visits Lao counterpart in Vientiane

The General Secretary of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party, Choummaly Sayasone (left), meets with National Assembly Chairman Nguyen Sinh Hung yesterday. — VNA/VNS Photo Nhan Sang

Hung said that both countries had effectively implemented their agreement on economic, cultural, scientific and technological co-operation.

And regular exchanges had been held between high-ranking officials, which helped develop the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive co-operation.

Viet Nam's top legislator suggested that both nations pay more attention to co-operation initiatives in education and training and developing human resources. They also needed to work closer together in economics, culture, science and technology.

He said more work needed to be done for localities along the border to achieve previous commitments.

Hung praised the level of co-operation between the two national assemblies. He said the Vietnamese and Lao legislative bodies should sign a new agreement as a legal foundation for carrying out future joint activities.

Yathotou said she was pleased at the fine co-operation between the two legislative bodies, adding that they should work closer together, especially in training staff, and strengthening the supervision of joint programmes and projects in agriculture, education and training, energy and mining.

The two sides should also support each other and enhance co-operation at regional and international forums.

They also agreed to step up co-operation in politics, diplomacy, economics, trade and education and training as well as boosting co-operation between both legislative bodies.

On the same day, Hung had a meeting with Lao Party General Secretary and President Chummaly Sayasone in Vientiane.

He said his trip aimed to consolidate ties between the two Parties and nations, and served as an important event that contributed to the success of the Viet Nam-Laos Friendship and Solidarity Year - and celebrations of the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties.

He told the Lao leader about the result of his talks with Yathotou in which an updated co-operation agreement between the two national assemblies was signed.

Hung said a conference had been organised in April by the two national assemblies in Viet Nam's northern province of Son La.

Seminars among the two national assembly committees and agencies would also be held.

Hung said Viet Nam's NA would support the Lao NA in organising the seventh Asia-Europe Parliamentary Partnership Meeting (ASEP 7) in October.

Chummaly Sayasone expressed hope that the two assemblies would tighten their co-operation in all fields.

He said he was pleased at Viet Nam's great achievements in socio-economic development.

Also yesterday, Hung had talks with Lao Prime Minister Thongsing Thammavong.

He suggested that the two Governments should continue boosting the implementation of their signed projects, especially in the fields of economy, trade and investment which contributed to raising their relations to a higher status.

Thongsing Thammavong affirmed that Lao Party, State and people were grateful for the support and assistance from the Vietnamese Party, State and people during the struggle for national independence and during present national construction and development.

He expressed his agreement on consolidating the two national assemblies' co-operation in the coming time in the fields of legislature, education and training supervision and exchanging visits of NA's delegations.