Việt Nam-Laos urged to strengthen cooperation to boost economic collaboration and trade

NA Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn suggested that the two countries continue to coordinate closely, increasing the exchange of high-level delegations and at other levels, while maximising the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms.

National Assembly (NA) Chairman Trần Thanh Mẫn emphasised that Việt Nam and Laos should continue to actively exchange information and facilitate cooperation between their ministries, especially Government agencies, to boost economic collaboration and further increase bilateral trade.

In a meeting with NA Chairman Mẫn, General Secretary of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee (LPRP) and President of Laos Thongloun Sisoulith expressed his sympathy to the Party, State and people of Việt Nam, especially to those regions and individuals worst affected by the disaster and hoped that life would soon return to normal.

Praising the cooperation between the two countries' NAs, he highlighted that the relationship between the two legislative bodies is a crucial factor contributing to the overall success of the strong ties between Việt Nam and Laos.

The Lao leader expressed his confidence and desire for both sides to continue close cooperation to supervise, promote and enhance the quality and effectiveness of the cooperation agreements between the two governments.

In the future, both sides should continue to exchange and share experiences in the field of legislation and support each other at regional and international forums.

NA Chairman Mẫn highly appreciated the exceptional progress in the special relationship between Việt Nam and Laos.

In the first seven months of 2024, bilateral trade reached US$1.1 billion, a 13 per cent increase compared to the same period in 2023, while several major projects have resolved difficulties.

Cooperation in education, training, culture and science and technology continues to receive attention and be promoted.

Along with the positive momentum in the relationship between the two countries, NA Chairman Mẫn stressed that the cooperation between the two NAs has been increasingly strengthened and effectively maintained.

Both sides have been successfully implementing the contents of the Cooperation Agreement between the two NAs, and the results of the first Cambodia-Laos-Việt Nam Parliamentary Summit held in Laos in December 2023 have been positive.

Notably, the two NAs are actively collaborating to research, compile and publish the book titled '50 Years of Relations between the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Việt Nam and the National Assembly of the Lao People's Democratic Republic – Comprehensive Development Cooperation'. This will review the development process, achievements and lessons learned to enhance the effectiveness of cooperation between the two NAs in the new phase.

NA Chairman Mẫn also affirmed that the Vietnamese NA will continue to enhance information sharing, cooperation and support for Laos at international, regional and sub-regional forums.

Việt Nam will continue to back and assist Laos in successfully chairing ASEAN and AIPA 45 and is ready to share experience and expertise in areas where Việt Nam has strengths, such as supervising the implementation of budget estimates, building legal frameworks and overseeing key joint projects between the two countries.

The two sides will hold thematic discussions and share experiences between the NAs, focusing on issues of mutual interest, such as legislative research, constitutional amendments and the formulation and implementation of socio-economic development policies.

To maintain the momentum in their relationship, NA Chairman Mẫn suggested that the two countries continue to coordinate closely, increasing the exchange of high-level delegations and at other levels, while maximising the effectiveness of existing cooperation mechanisms.

Regarding cooperation between the two NAs, NA Chairman Mẫn emphasised that both sides should increase bilateral trade and strengthen connections in the areas of economy, transport and infrastructure.

The two should also enhance the sharing of information and technical expertise, particularly in strategic national issues and support Laos in its constitutional reform.

They should work together to strengthen the supervision of investment cooperation projects between the two countries, focusing on key investment projects.

The two nations should continue to review and support necessary amendments and supplements to mechanisms, policies and laws to further promote trade and investment cooperation.