N.A. President Tran Thanh Man warmly welcomed Sonexay Siphandone on his official visit to Viet Nam and congratulated him on his election by the Lao Party, State and people as President of the 10th National Assembly of Laos.
He noted that Sonexay’s first official overseas visit in his new capacity reflected the close bonds and mutual trust between the two Parties, States and National Assemblies. The visit was expected to help strengthen political trust, deepen cooperation between the two legislative bodies, and advance the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Viet Nam and Laos.
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National Assembly President Tran Thanh Man (right) and his Lao counterpart Sonexay Siphandone |
Discussing the situation in each country, the Vietnamese top legislator congratulated the Lao Party, State and people on their significant and comprehensive achievements over the past more than five decades, particularly after 40 years of implementing the renewal process. He also welcomed the positive outcomes of the implementation of the Resolution of the 12th National Congress of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party and the 10th Five-Year National Socio-Economic Development Plan.
He praised Laos for maintaining political stability, ensuring national defense and security, promoting economic growth, improving living standards and enhancing its international standing.
“Viet Nam consistently attaches the utmost importance to and gives top priority to preserving and nurturing its special relationship with Laos,” Tran Thanh Man said, expressing profound gratitude for the wholehearted and valuable support extended by the Lao Party, State, National Assembly and people during Viet Nam’s past struggle for national liberation and its current cause of national construction and defense.
Sonexay thanked Vietnamese Party, State and National Assembly leaders for their warm and thoughtful reception. He expressed pleasure at making his first official visit to Viet Nam in his new capacity and affirmed that the Lao Party, State and people always remember and appreciate Viet Nam’s sincere and invaluable support during Laos’ struggle for national liberation, as well as its ongoing efforts to build, defend and develop the country.
The Lao leader praised Viet Nam’s major development achievements and expressed confidence that the country would continue to achieve rapid and sustainable growth while further enhancing its international standing.
Both leaders expressed satisfaction with the positive progress in Viet Nam-Laos relations in recent years and agreed to maintain close coordination in effectively implementing high-level agreements, bilateral cooperation documents and the Viet Nam-Laos Cooperation Strategy for 2021-2030.
They underscored the importance of increasing delegation exchanges and contacts at all levels, making effective use of existing cooperation mechanisms, and intensifying communication and education on the tradition of special solidarity between the two countries, particularly among younger generations.
The two N.A. Presidents also discussed the work of their respective legislatures since the beginning of their current terms and key priorities for 2027. They highlighted significant achievements in legislative activities, particularly efforts to translate policies, orientations and new requirements set out in Party Central Committee documents into laws, thereby meeting emerging practical demands in national development.
Both sides also commended the progress in bilateral parliamentary cooperation, including regular delegation exchanges, the sharing of experience in legislation, supervision and decision-making on major national issues, as well as coordination at regional and international parliamentary forums.
They emphasized that parliamentary cooperation constitutes an important pillar of overall Viet Nam-Laos relations. It helps strengthen the legal framework, oversee the implementation of high-level agreements, translate the policies and agreements reached by senior leaders of the two Parties and countries into concrete action, and support each other’s development.
The two leaders agreed to further promote cooperation between the two National Assemblies, with expanded exchanges on legislative development and refinement, the organization of state institutions, local administration and oversight of the implementation of high-level agreements and key bilateral programs and projects. They also pledged to accelerate digital transformation, develop e-parliaments and apply new technologies in parliamentary activities.
The two legislatures will review the cooperation agreement signed in May 2022 and update its provisions to meet development requirements in the new period, with a view to signing a revised agreement in 2027.
The N.A. Presidents stressed the need for closer coordinated oversight and joint efforts with the two Governments to ensure the effective implementation of signed agreements.
They called for strong and breakthrough progress in economic, trade and investment cooperation commensurate with the two countries’ potential and special political ties; facilitating business expansion in investment and trade; and promptly resolving obstacles to cooperation projects, particularly in strategic areas connecting the two economies.
They also emphasized the need to strengthen cooperation in education and training, human resources, science and technology, healthcare, culture and people-to-people exchanges, while continuing to train Lao officials and students in Viet Nam to reinforce the social foundation of bilateral ties.
The two sides pledged to maintain close coordination at regional and global inter-parliamentary forums, including the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly (AIPA), the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) and other relevant mechanisms. They will also step up information sharing and consultations on issues of mutual concern, contributing to peace, stability, cooperation and development in the region and the world.
They agreed to work together to promote meetings and exchanges among Party and N.A. leaders of Viet Nam, Laos and Cambodia, thereby strengthening regional solidarity, cooperation and development.
The host and guest agreed to coordinate preparations for the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations and the 50th anniversary of the signing of the Viet Nam-Laos Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in 2027.
They expressed confidence that the visit would provide fresh momentum for deeper, more substantive and effective cooperation between the two National Assemblies and contribute to the effective implementation of agreements between the two Parties and States.
Sonexay affirmed that Laos would continue to preserve and nurture its great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion with Viet Nam. He invited Man to pay an official visit to Laos at a mutually convenient time.
Following the talks, Sonexay and his delegation attended a session of the second sitting of the 16th Vietnamese National Assembly.
Translated by Song Anh