Vientiane (VNA) – The visit to Laos ma𒅌de by Vietnamese President Tran Dai Quang will help consolidate and develop the time-🎃honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries.

The statement was made by both Lao Prime Minister Thongloun Sisoulith and National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou at their meetings with the Vietnamese State leader in Vientiane on June 12. The Lao leaders all noted the significance of the fact that President Tran Dai Quang chose Laos for his first State visit after taking office, which they said demonstrated the importance that the Party, State and Government of Vietnam and the President himself attach to the Vietnam-Laos special relationship. They thanked Vietnam for its support for Laos during the past struggle for national liberation and present nation construction and development, as well as its support for Laos’ ASEAN chair in 2016. President Tran Dai Quang congratulated Laos on its successful organisation of the election of deputies to the 8 th National Assembly and People’s Councils at the provincial and municipal levels. He showed his belief in the country’s successful implementation of the 10 th Lao Party Congress’s Resolution and the 2016-2020 socio-economic development plan. Both Vietnamese and Lao leaders agreed that the close cooperation between the two countries and their Governments and National Assemblies has helped the two countries attain numerous achievements in carrying out the 2011-2020 Vietnam-Laos Strategy on Economic, Cultural, Scientific and Technological Cooperation and the 2011-2015 Vietnam-Lao cooperation treaty. They exchanged notes on measures to effectively implement the agreements reached by leaders of the two countries and outcomes of the 38th meeting of the inter-governmental committee on Vietnam-Lao cooperation, as well as the Vietnam-Lao cooperation treaty for 2016-2020. PM Sisoulith vowed to facilitate investment of the two countries’ businesses, and further promote bilateral collaboration in politics, security, defence, diplomacy, economics, trade, investment, education and training. Meanwhile, NA Chairwoman Yathotou pledged to coordinate with the Vietnamese legislature in intensifying supervisions over the implementation of agreements, while revising legal documents to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Laos. The two sides agreed to maintain close collaboration at multilateral forums, especially within the framework of the ASEAN Community, as well as at regional and international parliamentary organisations. On the same day, President Tran Dai Quang paid a visit to former Party General Secretary and former President of Laos Choummaly Sayasone, who suggested the two countries continue educating their people, particularly young generations, on the Vietnam-Laos traditional relations. The President also visited the Vietnamese Embassy and met the Vietnamese community in Laos. He told them that he had asked the Lao side to consider amending several laws related to the granting of citizenship and long-term residence cards to Vietnamese people living in the country. He noted that the Vietnam-Laos time-honoured friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation have been nurtured by generations of the two countries’ leaders and people, so maintaining and developing the relations is significant to the success of Vietnam’s revolutionary cause. As such, he hoped the Vietnamese community will continue efforts to contributing more to the bilateral ties.-VNA