National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan holds talks with Lao National Assembly Chairwoman

On the afternoon of September 26, the official welcoming ceremony for National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly took place solemnly at the Lao National Assembly Office. Immediately after the welcoming ceremony, National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou led the Lao National Assembly delegation to hold talks with the Vietnamese National Assembly delegation led by National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan.

Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou was delighted and especially appreciated National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan for choosing Laos as the first country to visit in her new position; congratulated Vietnam on successfully organizing the National Assembly election and National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan being elected as the first female Chairwoman of the National Assembly of Vietnam. The Lao National Assembly Chairwoman affirmed that the visit of the high-ranking delegation of the Vietnamese National Assembly is an important driving force to encourage the Lao National Assembly and people to continue the work of building and developing the country in the coming time.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan holds talks with Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou - Photo: Quochoi.vn

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan expressed her pleasure at the official friendly visit to the Lao PDR on her first overseas trip, and sincerely thanked the Lao National Assembly for its warm, friendly, and fraternal welcome to the delegation. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan said that during this visit to Laos, the Vietnamese National Assembly delegation wished to share with the comrades the special solidarity between Vietnam and Laos; and to share the successful results of the Congresses of the two Parties and the great success of the two recent National Assembly elections.

At the meeting, the two female Chairwomen of the National Assembly reviewed the results of the supervision of the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two countries in recent times and agreed on directions and measures to continue strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two legislative bodies in order to practically contribute to strengthening and promoting cooperation between the two countries. The two sides recognized that, in the context of the rapidly changing world and region, Vietnam and Laos are both integrating into the international community and innovating, and have great opportunities to build and develop the country. Along with the opportunities are significant challenges and the negative impacts of the market economy. In that situation, the two sides need to strengthen coordination in theoretical and practical research to propose solutions in building socio-economic development, protecting national cultural values ​​and identities.

National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan affirmed that Vietnam has consistently attached importance to and given the highest priority to consolidating and enhancing the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos, a vital factor for the revolutionary cause of the two nations, a priceless asset that needs to be preserved, developed and passed on to younger generations by the two Parties, two countries and two peoples.

The two National Assembly Chairmen were pleased to see that economic, trade, investment and ODA cooperation between the two countries continues to develop from the central to local levels. Vietnam is currently the third largest investor in Laos with a total registered capital of over 5 billion USD. In addition, bilateral cooperation in the fields of education, transportation, finance-banking, health, culture, tourism and people-to-people exchange is increasingly effective and expanded. The two sides have successfully built a border of friendship and peace.

Lao National Assembly Chairwoman Pany Yathotou said that 2016 is a year with many important events in Laos such as the National Assembly and People's Council elections at all levels; and the ASEAN Summit. With the desire to promote the representative role of elected bodies, the two sides agreed to continue to strengthen cooperation in human resource training, sharing experiences, especially in building institutions, legal systems, experiences and monitoring the implementation of laws.

In the immediate future, the two sides will focus on coordinating to successfully organize the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam - Laos Revolutionary Historical Relic Site in Son La Province on the occasion of the 55th anniversary of the establishment of Vietnam - Laos diplomatic relations and the 40th anniversary of the signing of the Vietnam - Laos Friendship and Cooperation Treaty; considering this an important political event of the two countries; coordinating to strengthen supervision and create conditions for investment cooperation projects between the two countries. National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan respectfully conveyed to the Lao National Assembly Chairwoman the specific requests of Vietnamese ministries and branches and requested the Lao National Assembly and Government to consider them so that the two sides can continue to promote the comprehensive cooperation between the two countries in depth and effectively.

In a friendly atmosphere, the two sides agreed to continue to closely coordinate with each other in international parliamentary forums. The Lao National Assembly supported the content of the Joint Statement of the 49th ASEAN Foreign Ministers' Meeting on the East Sea. In the management and sustainable and effective use of the Mekong River water resources, the Lao side pledged to properly implement the common agreement between the leaders of the two countries. The two sides supported the two governments to soon promote negotiations towards signing the Extradition Agreement and the Agreement on the Transfer of Convicted Persons between the Socialist Republic of Vietnam and the Lao People's Democratic Republic.

On this occasion, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan respectfully thanked Laos for its attention and favorable conditions for the Vietnamese community living in Laos.

* Previously, National Assembly Chairwoman Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan and a high-ranking delegation of the National Assembly laid wreaths at the Monument to Heroes and Martyrs in the capital Vientiane.

According to Chinhphu.vn