Raising the level of National Assembly's foreign relations at the ASEAN legislative 'festival'

The bilateral and multilateral visit of the National Assembly Chairman contributes to affirming the highest priority of Vietnam-Laos relations and elevating the foreign relations of the Vietnamese National Assembly.

National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man led a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly on an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and attended AIPA-45 from October 17-19.

The 45th ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45) with the theme "The role of parliaments in promoting ASEAN integration and common growth" took place from October 17-23 at the Lao National Convention Center in the capital Vientiane.

The official visit to Laos by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and a high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly on this occasion aims to concretize the High-level Agreement between the two Politburoes at the meeting between the two Politburoes of Vietnam and Laos and the Vietnam-Laos Joint Statement within the framework of the State visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith (September 2024) and the State visit to Laos by General Secretary and President To Lam (then President in July 2024).

Once again affirming the consistent policy of our Party and State to always give the highest priority and attach importance to developing the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, the visit also affirms Vietnam's strong and comprehensive support for the cause of innovation, protection and construction of Laos; demonstrating the trust and closeness between the two countries' senior leaders as well as between the two National Assembly Chairmen personally.

Sharing with the press about the significance of the visit, Vice President of the Lao National Assembly Sunthon Saynhachac affirmed that Comrade Tran Thanh Man's choice of Laos for his first foreign visit in Asia as Chairman of the Vietnamese National Assembly demonstrated the vitality of the great friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two Parties, two States and peoples of Laos - Vietnam, Vietnam - Laos. In particular, the head of the Vietnamese National Assembly's attendance at the important Conference of Legislative Bodies in the ASEAN region is also a strong support for the Lao people in general and the Lao National Assembly in particular, contributing significantly to the overall success of AIPA-45.

The Vice President of the Lao National Assembly said: “We are very pleased to see that over the past time, the National Assemblies of the two countries have stood side by side, strengthening comprehensive cooperation. In particular, the Lao people in general and the Lao National Assembly in particular have received a valuable gift from the Party, Government and people of Vietnam, which is the new National Assembly Building that Laos received in 2021, which is a symbol of the special relationship between Laos and Vietnam”. This year's "festival" of legislative bodies in the ASEAN region takes place in the context that ASEAN continues to give high priority to consolidating the process of building the Community, striving to complete the 2025 master plans, continuing the orientations of the ASEAN Community Vision 2045, towards "a resilient, dynamic, innovative and people-centered ASEAN".

Therefore, the theme “The role of parliaments in enhancing ASEAN connectivity and inclusive growth” is consistent with the common spirit throughout ASEAN 2024. AIPA-45 aims to promote dialogue and consultation between ASEAN, AIPA, parliaments of observer countries and AIPA partners to enhance partnership cooperation and consolidate ASEAN's position and central role; demonstrate AIPA's message and the wishes of the host country Laos as ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair to enhance connectivity between economies in the region and between ASEAN and external partners, narrow the development gap, promote comprehensive and sustainable development...

The participation of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and his delegation in AIPA-45 is of great significance, on the one hand demonstrating the proactive, active participation and responsible contribution of the Vietnamese National Assembly to consolidating the central role, solidarity and unity in ASEAN, promoting intra-bloc cooperation, expanding multi-faceted relations with parliaments in and outside the region; promoting the responsibility and role of AIPA for peace, stability and development, and at the same time proposing many valuable initiatives to share and support ASEAN governments in resolving priority issues of the region.

Thus, the bilateral and multilateral visit of National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man contributes to affirming the highest priority of Vietnam-Laos relations and raising the level of foreign relations of the Vietnamese National Assembly in important regional legislative forums.

Source: https://baoquocte.vn/nang-tam-doi-ngoai-quoc-hoi-tai-ngay-hoi-lap-phap-asean-290371.html