Top Vietnamese leader seeks stronger relations with Laos

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The Vietnamese leader made the suggestion while meeting with Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and Chairwoman of the National Assembly (NA) of Laos Pany Yathotou on February 24 as part of his official friendly visit to the country. 

At the meetings, he spoke highly of the roles played by the Vietnamese and Lao Governments and NAs in the bilateral relationship.

Party General Secretary and President Nguyen Phu Trong (left) and Lao PM Thongloun Sisoulith.

The cooperation between the two governments is very crucial, the leader said, noting his hope that they will continue to instruct agencies to effectively implement high-level agreements reached by the two countries.

He also urged the legislative agencies to better their roles in institutionalizing policies and resolutions of the CPV and the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP), and supervising the implementation of agreements. 

Informing the hosts about outcomes of his earlier talks with General Secretary of the LPRP Central Committee and President Bounnhang Vorachith, the Vietnamese leader said in any circumstance, the two Parties and countries should unite with each other and do their best to advance the bilateral relationship and pass it down to next generations. 

PM Thongloun Sisoulith and NA Chairwoman Pany Yathotou once again congratulated Nguyen Phu Trong on his election as President of Vietnam, and affirmed that Laos will always make all-out efforts to preserve and promote the great friendship and special solidarity between the two countries. 

Sharing the Vietnamese leader’s suggestion of expanding cooperative ties and improving the efficiency of cooperation in all spheres, they pledged to closely coordinate with Vietnam in order to raise the quality of collaboration between ministries, agencies and localities, and effectively realise high-level agreements, especially those on economy, trade and investment. 

The promised to remove obstacles facing businesses of the two countries, aiming to make economic links match with the Vietnam-Laos special relationship. 

PM Thongloun Sisoulith stressed that Laos encourages and creates optimal conditions for major Vietnamese firms to invest in the country, especially in energy and transport, to bring about practical benefits to both sides. 

He also committed to instructing agencies to join hands with Vietnam in national defence and security, regularly exchange information and provide timely support to each other in regional and international issues. 

Laos will also closely coordinate with Cambodia to successfully implement the agreement on the development triangle reached by the prime ministers of the three countries, he said. 

The Lao PM highlighted partnerships in using the Mekong River water resources, as well as education-training and human resources development.