Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong on December 6 hosted a reception for a high-ranking delegation of Laos led by Politburo member and Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith who are on a visit to Vietnam to attend the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee.

Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong
receives Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith (L)

Meeting with the top Vietnamese leader, the Lao PM congratulated Vietnam on the important achievements over the years, saying that he believes that under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Vietnamese people will continue to reap more success in the renewal cause and successfully organise the 13th National Party Congress.

He expressed his delight at the growing special friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, and thanked Vietnam for giving great and timely support to Laos in the past and present, even during times when Vietnam faces difficulties.  

He briefed his host on the outcomes of the 43rd meeting of  the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on bilateral cooperation, pledging that Laos will continue coordinating with the Vietnamese Government to direct ministries, sectors and localities to effectively implement agreements reached between senior leaders of the two Party and States as well as those agreed at the meeting.

At the meeting, Party General Secretary and State President Nguyen Phu Trong congratulated Laos on important attainments that the country has made during the implementation of the resolution of the 10th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party (LPRP). He expressed sympathy over the recent difficulties that Laos has faced, expressing his belief that under the leadership of the LPRP, the management of the Government and the supervision of the National Assembly, Lao people will overcome all obstacles to continue achieving new success, including the organization of the 11th National Congress of the LPRP and successfully implement all tasks set at the congress.

The Vietnamese leader held that the more difficult the situation becomes, the two sides should further foster mutual support. Vietnam will do its utmost to work with Laos to maintain, reinforce and transfer to the next generations the special solidarity between the two nations that is rare in the world, he said.

He spoke highly of the coordination between the two Prime Ministers as well as efforts of ministries, sectors and localities of both sides in realizing high-level agreements, and removing difficulties and obstacles hindering bilateral cooperation, especially those brought about by COVID-19 pandemic, thus creating positive changes in all fields.

He suggested that the two Governments work more closely in directing ministries, sectors, localities and businesses to focus on effectively conducting the contents agreed at the 43rd meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee on bilateral cooperation, especially the signed deals, while enhancing the efficiency of collaboration among ministries, sectors and localities of both sides, thus continue to deepening the bilateral political-diplomatic relations, and increasing the exchange of information and experience in the building of the Party and the political system as well as socio-economic development.

Both sides should strengthen communication work on the Vietnam-Laos special ties, while working closely together and supporting each other at regional and international forums, he said.

He also proposed that Vietnam and Laos coordinate to make breakthroughs in bilateral cooperation in economy, investment, trade, culture, education, health care, science and technology on the foundation of promoting the potentials and strengths of each side.

National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan (R)
welcomes Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith

At a reception for the Lao PM the same day, National Assembly (NA) Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan lauded the outcomes of the inter-governmental committee’s meeting, with the signing of 17 cooperative documents, and outlining of cooperative strategies in the next 5-10 years.

She congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their socio-economic achievements in the recent past amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, expressing her strong belief that Laos will successfully carry out its socio-economic development plan during 2020-2015, and organise the 11th national congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party in 2021.

The Lao PM, for his part, thanked Vietnam for organising the ceremony to mark 45th anniversary of the Lao National Day, and 100th birthday of late Lao President Kaysone Phomvihane on December 2.

Ngan and the Lao PM shared the outcomes of the recent sittings of the two parliaments, and talked about preparations for the election of deputies to the National Assembly and all-level People’s Council in Vietnam.

She stressed both Vietnam and Laos have promoted effective cooperation across various sectors amidst pandemic, and thanked Laos for organising activities in celebrations of Vietnam’s important events and the bilateral relations.

Touching on the parliamentary ties, Ngan spoke highly of the two parliaments’ cooperation, particularly at the regional and international forums such as IPU and APPF. She took the occasion to thank Laos for its support and participation in ASEAN and AIPA activities chaired by Vietnam in 2020.

The Vietnamese National Assembly will coordinate with the Lao side to create favourable conditions for the two governments to carry out high-level agreements, and enhance supervision of the implementation of the deals, she said, stressing the Vietnamese National Assembly will work to ensure key projects between the two nations complete in line with schedule, including the Lao National Assembly building.

She affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly attaches much importance to improving cooperation efficiency in the fields of economy, trade, investment, and education-training, as well as pushing the implementation of key projects between the two nations.

The Lao PM spoke highly of Vietnam in the roles of the ASEAN Chair and AIPA 41 Chair in 2020.

Both sides agreed that it is important to raise young people’s awareness of the sound traditional relations between the two countries, saying it helps unceasingly consolidate the Vietnam-Laos special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation in the coming time.