(sav.gov.vn) - On October 17, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-level delegation of the National Assembly of Viet Nam arrived at Wattay Airport in Vientiane, the capital of Laos, for an official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and participation in the 45th General Assembly of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA-45). Mr. Ngo Van Tuan, Member of the Party Central Committee, Auditor General joined the delegation.
On the afternoon of October 17, the high-ranking delegation of Viet Nam led by National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man arrived at Wattay Airport in Vientiane, marking the beginning of the official visit to the Lao People's Democratic Republic and attendance at AIPA-45 from October 17-19, 2024. The visit was made at the invitation of the President of the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic, Saysomphone Phomvihane, who is also the Chair of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly.
Immediately upon arrival in Vientiane, at the Lao National Assembly Building, President Saysomphone Phomvihane hosted an official welcome ceremony for Chairman Tran Thanh Man and the high-level delegation of the National Assembly of Viet Nam. Following the welcome ceremony, the two Assembly Heads engaged in discussions.
Strengthening economic cooperation
During the discussions, Saysomphone Phomvihane warmly welcomed and appreciated the significance of Tran Thanh Man's first official visit to Laos in his capacity as the top legislator. He expressed confidence that this visit would help solidify and cultivate the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Viet Nam and Laos in general, as well the two legislative bodies in particular.
Man expressed his delight, on behalf of the Vietnamese Party and State, to lead the high-level delegation on this official visit to Laos and to attend AIPA-45 in his new role. Regarding the relationship between the two countries, Chairman Tran Thanh Man affirmed that Viet Nam consistently prioritizes its "unique" special traditional relationship with Laos and will always stand by and fully support Laos in its national course of defense, development and innovation.
Viet Nam highly values the assistance and invaluable contributions of the Lao leaders and people for decades, continuously nurturing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.
Both top legislators expressed their satisfaction with the positive cooperation results between the two Parties and countries. Recently, the Politburos of both countries held a meeting to evaluate the cooperation outcomes between the two Parties and countries, agreeing on major orientations for the Vietnam-Laos cooperative relationship moving forward. Delegation exchanges, talks, and bilateral cooperation mechanisms have been effectively maintained and implemented.
Man expressed his desire to further deepen the relationship between the two countries and National Assemblies in a practical and effective manner to serve the renewal, construction, and defense of the homeland of each country.
Saysomphone Phomvihane fully agreed with Chairman Tran Thanh Man's assessment of the rare and friendly relationship between the two Parties, States, and peoples, affirming that this is a priceless common asset of both nations and has strategic meaning for the stability and development of each country.
Regarding trade and investment cooperation between the two countries, the two Heads concurred that the relationship in this area remains modest and does not match the good political relations and potential for cooperation between the two countries. The Lao National Assembly President highlighted that Viet Nam is among the top investors in Laos, with approximately 241 projects across various levels, totaling around USD 5.47 billion.
He requested the Vietnamese National Assembly to support enhancing economic cooperation between the two countries, particularly in increasing two-way trade turnover in the near future. He expressed admiration for Viet Nam's achievements in agricultural development, especially in producing high-value products, and expressed desire for Viet Nam to share its experiences in this area.
Agreeing with the Lao National Assembly President's request, Chairman Tran Thanh Man emphasized that the two countries should strengthen cooperation in various fields, including agriculture.
Promoting institutional improvement and increasing cooperative strengths
Both Assembly Heads manifested their pleasure to witness the positive cooperation development between the two legislative bodies in both breadth and depth. Both sides are actively coordinating to implement the cooperation agreement signed between the two National Assemblies in May 2022.
High-level delegation exchange and cooperation among the National Assembly agencies have been regularly maintained; both sides are actively consulting and supporting each other in global and regional inter-parliamentary forums; and they are collaborating to organize thematic workshops and discussions within the framework of the visits by the leaders of the two National Assemblies.
Notably, the two sides have also conducted joint oversight of important strategic economic cooperation projects, demonstrating the supreme oversight responsibility of the respective National Assembly.
To promote cooperation between the two legislative bodies, both Assembly Heads agreed that it is necessary to continue implementing activities to exchange and share experience in areas of mutual interest, especially in enhancing institutional frameworks, legal systems, supreme oversight, and decision-making on significant national issues. Additionally, they should carry out various forms of cooperation among committees and agencies of the National Assembly.
At the same time, the two Assemblies shall coordinate closely to jointly oversee the implementation of bilateral agreements; enhance oversight to promote investment cooperation projects, and propose solutions to address difficulties and obstacles to facilitate Vietnamese businesses' investment and operations in Laos.
Both Assembly Heads also suggested that both sides should expedite the enhancement of institutional frameworks and policies to facilitate the effective implementation of high-level agreements of the two Politburos and cooperation between the two governments. Furthermore, they shall strengthen solidarity, closely coordinate, and support each other in regional and international forums, contributing to maintaining a peaceful and stable environment for development.
Man expressed the hope that the legislative bodies of the two countries should further promote their roles to multiply the cooperative strengths between the two nations not just only in politics, defense, and security but also in the fields of economy and other areas; establish cooperative mechanisms to collaboratively assist the governments and various levels of both countries in resolving obstacles, thus fostering the ongoing development of bilateral relations.
Immediately after the discussions, Chairman Tran Thanh Man and President Saysomphone Phomvihane witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Foreign Affairs Committee of the two National Assemblies, as well as a Memorandum of Understanding between Hoi An City, Quang Nam Province (Viet Nam) and Luang Prabang City, Luang Prabang Province (Laos).
Regarding Cambodia's withdrawal from the Cambodia-Laos-Viet Nam Development Triangle mechanism, both Assembly Heads agreed that this mechanism has positively contributed to the development of each country and plays an important role in the historical construction and development of the three countries in general, and Cambodia in particular.
Viet Nam and Laos have always valued the historical significance of the Viet Nam-Laos-Cambodia relationship and will continue to prioritize preserving, nurturing, and developing the friendly neighborly relations, solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation with both Laos and Cambodia.
On the afternoon of October 17, as part of the visit, at the headquarters of the Lao Prime Minister's Office, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man met with Lao Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone.