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.

NA Chairman meets with Lao Prime Minister

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone in Vientiane on October 17, assuring the host that Vietnam always gives top priority to the special traditional ties with Laos and fully supports Laos in its national defence, construction, renewal and development. 
      
At the the meeting between Vietnamese NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone
Chairman Man congratulated Lao Party, State and people on their great and comprehensive achievements in the implementation of the Resolution of the 11th National Congress of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party (LPRP) and the 9th socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025.

He believed that under the sound leadership of the LPRP, Laos will successfully organise the 12th National Party Congress in early 2026 and fulfil its national development strategies.

He expressed his desire to deepen bilateral ties between the two countries and legislatures in a practical and effective manner, serving the cause of renewal, national building and safeguarding in each country.

Vietnam is ready to increase cooperation and share its experience with Laos in drafting and amending the constitution and laws, as well as help Laos successfully host meetings during its tenure as ASEAN Chair and Chair of ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA) in 2024, he said.

Siphadone welcomed the Vietnamese delegation led by Man on their official visit and attendance of the 45th General Assembly of the AIPA (AIPA-45), believing that the trip will contribute to the success of the event.

He thanked Vietnam for its support to Laos to successfully host the 44th and 45th ASEAN Summits and related meeting, as well as undertake the roles of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024.

The host praised Vietnam for its continued strong economic growth, political stability, and improved living standards, noting that Vietnam's external relations are expanding, contributing to its increasing role on the global arena.

He expressed his delight at the ongoing development of bilateral special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, which is evident via regular visits and exchanges of delegations at all levels. Economic, trade and investment collaboration has also seen strides.

The Lao PM spoke highly of the outcomes of the talks between the two legislative leaders, during which they had evaluated the cooperative ties between the two parliaments, exchanged views on regional and international situations, and discussed cooperation orientations and plans for the coming time.

He affirmed his support for the two NAs to continue carrying out their cooperation agreement, especially the exchanges of delegations at all levels, supervisory activities, and the acceleration of the implementation of treaties and agreements inked between the two countries' Governments and localities so as to bring their economic, trade and investment partnerships on par with the sound political relations.

Man affirmed that the Vietnamese NA will continue the close coordination with its Lao counterpart to create favourable legal corridors for the two Governments to fruitfully carry out the high-level agreements between the two Poliburos, enhance coordination to supervise the implementation of the two Governments’ agreements, and promote the perfection of institutions and policies to facilitate joint investment projects.

The top legislator of Vietnam suggested the two countries increase sharing information and experience in new socio-economic development issues, the ensuring of macroeconomic stability, the expansion of external relations, and the improvement of the international integration efficiency.

It is necessary to further fortify cooperation across the areas of defence and security to effectively respond to traditional and non-traditional security challenges, he stressed, saying both sides should work together to build a borderline of peace, friendship, stability and sustainable development while strongly cooperating in the fight against cross-border crimes, especially drug ones.

Man went on to recommend the two nations promote, create breakthroughs and better cooperation effectiveness in economy, culture, education, health care and science - technology on the basis of promoting the strengths and potential of each side, support Vietnamese firms’ investment activities in Laos, step up locality-to-locality collaboration in agriculture, tourism, investment and trade, as well as coordinate with and back each other at multilateral forums.

The two leaders also discussed the bilateral cooperation over the recent past and future orientations, with the Lao PM suggesting the two parliaments continue promoting their roles in institutional building, coordinating in supervision, and pushing ahead with the implementation of other signed documents.

Top legislator meets with incumbent, former leaders of Laos

Chairman of the National Assembly (NA) Tran Thanh Man met with several incumbent and former leaders of Laos on October 17 as part of his official visit to Laos.

At a meeting with Vice President and former Chairwoman of the Lao NA Pany Yathotou, the Vietnamese top legislator congratulated the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party, State and people on the achievements they have obtained while carrying out the Resolution adopted at the 11th National Party Congress and the 9th socio-economic development plan for 2021-2025.

Pany Yathotou, for her part, said she believes that Man’s trip to Laos will help enhance the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two nations as well as enhance the thriving cooperation between the two legislative bodies.

The two leaders concurred that the bilateral parliamentary relations have been unceasingly consolidated and developed, with coordination to carry out the agreement reached by the two NAs in May 2022, regular maintenance of delegation exchanges at all levels, and joint oversight of important and strategic economic projects.

Regarding the book featuring the relations between the two parliaments over the past five decades, Man said the two sides are working closely for the compilation to spotlight the development, achievements, and experience to improve the cooperation efficacy in the new period.

He took the occasion to thank the Lao Party, State and people for their support for Vietnam over the past time, particularly the country’s Typhoon Yagi relief efforts.

The Lao Vice President expressed her belief that under the sound leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam and the Vietnamese State coupled with the solidarity among people from all walks of life, typhoon-hit locals will overcome challenges and stabilise their lives soon.

She spoke highly of the outcomes of the talks between Man and his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane, congratulated Vietnam on its socio-economic achievements in the first nine months of the year, and said she hopes that Vietnam will share its development experience with Laos.

During a meeting with former Prime Minister and former NA Chairman of Laos Thongsing Thammavong, Man congratulated Laos on its achievements and acknowledged his host’s contributions to the implementation of the resolution of the 11th National Party Congress of Laos and the ninth five-year socio-economic development plan (2021-2025).

He emphasised that Vietnam always gives the top priority to and is committed to fostering the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with Laos. He also reaffirmed Vietnam’s strong and comprehensive support for Laos' efforts in reform, national defence, and development.

The Vietnamese leader also shared the outcomes of his talks with his Lao counterpart earlier the same day, noting that both sides had reviewed the implementation of cooperation agreements signed between the two NAs.

He expressed his hope that Thongsing Thammavong will continue to support and provide valuable opninions to further strengthen the two countries' cooperation, including in educating younger generations on the special bilatral relationship.

Welcoming Man’s first official visit to Laos as Chairman of the Vietnamese NA, Thongsing Thammavong praised the Vietnamese Party and State’s leadership, which has guided the country in its national defece and development. He particularly highlighted the Vietnamese NA’s success in enacting high-quality laws that have contributed to the country’s socio-economic development.

On this occasion, he extended his regards to Party General Secretary and State President To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, and other leaders of Vietnam.

Both host and guest commended the fruitful cooperation between the two NAs, as seen in regular mutual visits at all levels, as well as between the two sides' committees, parliamentary friendship groups, and young parliamentarians.

The former Lao leader called on the two NAs to continue sharing legislative experience and jointly supervising the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two countries.

VOV