Vietnam always gives top priority to its relationship with Laos.

Within the framework of the program to attend the first Cambodia - Laos - Vietnam (CLV) National Assembly Summit and visit and work in Laos, on December 4, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue had a meeting with General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone and held talks with Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane.

Fully support the development of Laos

During the meeting between National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith, Mr. Thongloun Sisoulith sincerely thanked the Party, State and people of Vietnam for standing shoulder to shoulder with Laos. On behalf of the leaders and people of Vietnam, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue sent congratulations on the 48th Lao National Day (December 2, 1975 - December 2, 2023); at the same time, expressed his joy at the great achievements that the Lao people have achieved, overcoming temporary difficulties, maintaining security and political stability, and maintaining a fairly high economic growth rate.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue meets with Lao General Secretary and President Thongloun Sisoulith

VNA

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue suggested that the two sides closely coordinate, seriously implement high-level agreements, and prepare well for meetings of high-level leaders and the 46th meeting of the Vietnam-Laos Intergovernmental Committee. General Secretary and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith emphasized that in the coming time, the two sides will continue to coordinate efforts to resolve outstanding issues, create breakthroughs in economic, trade and investment cooperation, and transform this field in quality, commensurate with political relations; have appropriate mechanisms and policies to promote trade and investment between the two countries to connect the two economies. The General Secretary and President of Laos hopes that Vietnam will continue to encourage Vietnamese enterprises to expand investment and business in Laos; in which priority is given to areas such as energy, transport connectivity, and minerals. At the meeting with National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue, Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone shared Laos' efforts in overcoming difficulties, recovering the economy, and initial achievements in economic recovery, controlling inflation and exchange rates. Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone said that Laos is implementing two national programs to solve economic and financial difficulties and a program to fight against drugs. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that Vietnam has consistently given the highest priority to the special "unique" traditional relationship with Laos, always standing side by side and strongly and comprehensively supporting Laos's efforts to protect, build, innovate and develop.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone

VNA

The National Assembly Chairman also emphasized that the National Assemblies of the two countries will closely coordinate and continue to create a favorable legal corridor for the two Governments to strengthen cooperation, coordinate in supervising and promoting the effective implementation of cooperation agreements between the two Governments agreed upon at the 45th meeting of the Vietnam - Laos Intergovernmental Committee and other cooperation agreements between the two sides. At the meeting, the two sides emphasized the need to promote trade and investment cooperation, strengthen connectivity between the two economies, both hard connectivity in infrastructure and soft connectivity in institutions, digital economy, finance and banking; continue to pay attention to and resolve difficulties and obstacles for businesses and important cooperation projects between the two countries; support and create favorable conditions for Vietnamese businesses to promote investment in Laos, creating a breakthrough to bring economic cooperation on par with the great Vietnam - Laos relationship. In addition, the two countries can cooperate in three key areas, including: large-scale high-tech agriculture; renewable energy such as wind power, solar power; mineral exploitation.

Creating breakthroughs for bilateral economic and trade cooperation

Previously, National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue held talks with Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane. At the talks, National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane said that the Lao National Assembly had just successfully held its 6th session, approving a number of plans for economic recovery and development and resolving a number of social issues. The Lao National Assembly Chairman happily said that Laos had gradually resolved economic difficulties and inflation was under control.

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihane

VNA

National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue highly appreciated the careful preparation of the host country in organizing the first CLV from December 5-6 and other sideline activities; said that this conference is of great significance, marking the first time in history that Vietnam - Laos - Cambodia have had enough meeting mechanisms between the highest leaders on all three channels of the Party, National Assembly and Government. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue highly appreciated the topics, contents and common documents of the CLV, which was organized for the first time by Laos; appreciated Laos' role as chairman and said that this is also a good experience for Vietnam in organizing the next CLV in Vietnam. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that Vietnam always gives the highest priority to the great traditional relationship between the two countries, always stands side by side and strongly and comprehensively supports the cause of protecting, building, innovating and developing Laos. The two sides closely coordinated to create a favorable legal corridor for the two governments to implement the agreements reached; strengthen coordination in monitoring the implementation of bilateral cooperation agreements; and promote the implementation of key projects between the two countries. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue emphasized that the two National Assemblies need to build institutions and laws to jointly create breakthroughs for bilateral economic and trade cooperation. Regarding the direction of cooperation in the coming time, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation between the two National Assemblies through exchanging and sharing legislative experience, building and perfecting institutions and legal systems; coordinate in monitoring the effective implementation of signed high-level agreements, and prepare well the content for important bilateral activities between the two countries' senior leaders; strengthen solidarity, closely coordinate, and support each other at regional and international forums. National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue affirmed that the Vietnamese National Assembly supports and is ready to provide maximum assistance to Laos to successfully assume the role of ASEAN Chair and AIPA Chair in 2024.

Opening flight route Ho Chi Minh City - Vientiane

On the morning of December 4, at Wattay International Airport (Vientiane, Laos), National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue attended and witnessed the signing ceremony of a comprehensive cooperation agreement between Vietjet Air and Lao Airlines - the national airline of Laos and announced the opening of a new flight route connecting Vientiane with Ho Chi Minh City; also attending the signing ceremony was Vice President of the Lao National Assembly Sounthone Xayachak. Vietjet Air's new route between Ho Chi Minh City and Vientiane is expected to serve passengers with 4 round trips per week with a flight time of about 1 hour and 45 minutes per leg.

Thanhnien.vn