(VOVworld) - The 36^th conference of the Vietnam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee opened in Vientiane, Laos on Tuesday.

The event was co-chaired by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc and his Lao counterpart Somsavat Lengsavad. The committee reviewed cooperation results and devise tasks for next year. The process is based on a five-year agreement and a ten-year cooperation strategy both set in 2010. The two sides agreed to continue the exchange of visits, and consolidate cooperation in regional and global forums. They also agreed to increase two-way trade value by 20%, and foster the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation. Both sides signed a number of cooperative agreements in economics, culture, education, science and technology for 2014.