Vientiane (VNA) – Lao Deputy Prime Minister SonesaySiphandone welcomed Vietnamese Minister of Information and Communications (MIC)Truong Minh Tuan in Vientiane on November 1.

Tuan affirmed that Vietnam has been highly aware of the significance ofthe traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperationbetween Vietnam and Laos, adding that Vietnamese sectors and ministries havealways worked hard to deepen bilateral ties in all fields, includinginformation and communications.

Briefing the Deputy PM on the outcomes of his Laos visit, Tuan said thatthe Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) will work with the Laoside to organise an exhibition of books, photos and media publications on theVietnam-Laos relations in 2017, and an information and communicationstechnology (ICT) forum.

The MIC will also sign cooperation deals with the Ministry of Post andTelecommunications and the Ministry of Information, Culture and Tourism of Laosto support Vietnamese firms in expanding business and investment in the fieldof ICT in Laos.

He noted that over the past years, ICT cooperation between the twocountries has been fruitful. Along with sharing experience in designingpolicies on ICT management, the two sides have coordinated closely in popularisingthe achievements of each country, organising exhibitions and training coursesfor reporters and editors, and exchanging media publications, Tuan elaborated.

Vietnam has provided official development assistance (ODA) to Laos todevelop radio and television stations, while supporting Vietnamese businessesto expand investment in Laos, he added.

Tuan also took this occasion to thank the Lao Government for supportingcooperation activities between the two countries in ICT, expressed his hopethat Laos will continue to do so in the future.

Deputy PM Sonesay Siphandone thanked the MIC for assisting the LaoMinistry of Post and Telecommunications over the past years, especially inpersonnel training, technical and equipment aid.

He hoped that the two ministries will continue working closely together,sharing experience for better performance and fighting hostile force’sarguments aiming to undermine special ties between Vietnam and Laos.

Earlier the same day, Minister Truong Minh Tuan and Lao Minister of Postand Telecommunications Thansamay Kommasith held talks and co-chaired the firstmeeting of the Joint Working Group on ICT Cooperation.

Tuan also paid a courtesy call on Kikeo Khaykhamphithoun, Secretary ofthe Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee and head of the LaoPeople’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Commission for Information andEducation.-VNA