President Truong Tan Sang in Hanoi on January 23 received Minister to the Lao Presidential Office Phongsavath Boupha.

The visit by the minister, which follows the two countries’ successful Vietnam-Laos, Laos-Vietnam 2012 Friendship and Solidarity Year, continues to strengthen relations between the two sides, said Sang.

In 2013, leaders of Vietnam and Laos’ presidential offices should work out more cooperation programmes to expand the contents of agreements between the two countries’ politburos, he suggested.

Earlier, on behalf of his President, the Lao minister awarded the First Class Isala Order to the Presidential Office of Vietnam, the Second Class Isala Order to the Head of the Presidential Office Dao Viet Trung, and Friendship Orders to five officials within the office. He also awarded Friendship Medals to two others in the office in recognition of their contributions to the comprehensive cooperation between the two offices.

Source: VNA