The top legislators of Vietnam and Laos on March 6 agreed to enhance coordination for effective implementation of agreements reached by the two parliaments.
In talks held in Hanoi before signing a five-year (2017-21) cooperation pact, they said this would strengthen bilateral relations between the two countries.
Vietnamese National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and visiting Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou also stressed that the two sides need to maintain regular exchange visits by senior officials of both countries.
They said ministries, sectors and localities of both countries should also increase interaction and exchange experiences.
They agreed that both sides will continue supporting each other at global and regional forums, and strengthen sub-regional cooperation mechanisms in the context of increasingly complicated developments in the world and the region.
Ngan affirmed that the two parliaments will work to accelerate construction of the parliament building in Laos.
They will also organize exchanges between parliamentarians’ friendship groups, female NA deputies and young lawmakers of both two countries, she said.
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| Vietnam National Asembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (right) and her visting Lao counterpart Pany Yathotou sign an agreement to enhance coordination between the two parliaments__Photo: Trong Duc/VNA |
The Vietnamese NA will work hard to organize activities celebrating the 55th anniversary of Vietnam-Laos diplomatic ties and 40 years of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty, she added.
The two NA leaders highlighted the significance of the upcoming inauguration of the Vietnam-Laos revolutionary historical site in Son La province, saying it would educate younger generations about the special solidarity that the countries enjoy.
Pany Yathotou, who is on a week-long official visit, hoped her visit will contribute to further deepening the special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, States and legislatures.
She thanked Vietnam for its valuable, timely and effective assistance to her country in the past struggle for national liberation as well as in the current national construction and defense process.
The Lao Party and State highly value Vietnam’s financial assistance to Laos in constructing the parliament building, considering it a vivid manifestation of the special friendship and solidarity between the two nations, she said.
She said the two parliaments to urge their respective governments to issue policies and measures to further bolster bilateral links in trade, investment and education.
Committees of the two legislative bodies need to continue supervising the implementation of commitments and co-operation agreements reached between their Governments, especially on border issues, natural resources management, and environmental protection, she added.
Pany Yathotou expressed her hope that the Vietnamese NA and provincial-level people’s councils will continue their support and share experiences with their Lao counterparts in the coming time.
After their talks, the top legislators signed a five year (2017-21) cooperation agreement between the two legislatures, and witnessed the signing of a cooperation agreement between the two NA offices for the same period.- (VNS/VLLF)
