National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong (R) meets with Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphanh Phengkhammy on May 11 (Photo: VNA)
HCM City (VNA) –National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong has asked Laos to supportVietnam in the regulation and use of the Mekong River’s water resources.
She made the request at a meeting with ViceChairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphanh Phengkhammy in Ho Chi Minh Cityon May 11. The visiting legislator is in Vietnam to attend theInter-Parliamentary Union (IPU)’s seminar for the Asia-Pacific region onclimate change response.
Vice Chairwoman Phong considered the Laoofficials’ participation as important to the event’s success.
Vietnam is suffering severe climate changeimpacts, and it is ready to learn from other countries’ experience in copingwith climate change, she noted.
She added that the regulation and use of theMekong River’s water resources need to be actively discussed by the MekongRiver Commission as this river traverses many countries in the region.
Regarding bilateral ties, Phong said Vietnam andLaos boast the time-tested friendship, special solidarity and comprehensivecooperation. They have also shared much experience at global parliamentaryforums as well as during delegation exchanges.
For his part, Phengkhammy spoke highly of theIPU seminar’s content, along with Vietnam’s preparations for the event. Theagenda covers important issues relevant to the current context, especially inSoutheast Asia.
He added his country has included climatechange-related issues such as natural disaster prevention and control in itssocio-economic development plans.
Together with Vietnam, Laos is activelypreparing for celebrations of 55 years of the two countries’ diplomatic tiesand 40 years of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Friendship andCooperation. A ceremony to mark those anniversaries will be held in Laos onJuly 18, he noted.
He also expressed his hope that the twoparliaments will continue delegation exchanges and provide practical trainingfor officials of Laos.-VNA
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National Assembly Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong (R) meets with Vice Chairman of the Lao National Assembly Somphanh Phengkhammy on May 11 (Photo: VNA) 
