(VOVWORLD) - National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue is paying an official visit to Laos at the invitation of his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane. The visit demonstrates Vietnam’s political trust, respect and priority for strengthening bilateral ties.
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Vietnamese National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue and Lao National Assembly Chairman Saysomphone Phomvihan (photo: VOV)
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Chairman Hue’s visit takes place as Vietnam and Laos are celebrating the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic ties and the 45th anniversary of the signing of the bilateral Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation. The two countries are observing 2022 as a Year of Solidarity and Friendship.
Highlights of parliamentary cooperation
In the context of the Vietnam-Laos special friendship and comprehensive cooperation, legislative ties play an important role. Over the past few years, the two legislatures have promoted bilateral cooperation, maintained exchanges of high-ranking delegations, and worked closely at the committee level and between Parliamentarian Friendship Groups.
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic, the two legislatures have maintained people-to-people exchanges, both offline and online. Last April, as soon as he was elected, NA Chairman Hue held a phone talk with his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane.
Last December, Mr. Phomvihane visited Vietnam, his first overseas trip after he was elected Lao NA Chairman for the 2021-2026 tenure. During the visit, the two sides agreed to work closely in overseeing agreements signed between the two governments, strengthen exchanges between Groups of Parliamentarian Friendship, Female Parliamentarians, and Young Parliamentarians, and upgrade the cooperation mechanism between Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia in the Development Triangle Area.
The two legislatures have organized seminars to share experience in legislation, oversight, and deciding major national issues.
Tightening comprehensive cooperation
NA Chairman Hue’s visit to Laos creates an opportunity for the two sides to work out directions for future cooperation in all areas.
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Member of the Party Central Committee and Head of the National Assembly's External Relations Committee Vu Hai Ha
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Head of the Vietnamese NA’s External Relations Committee Vu Hai Ha said: “This is Mr. Hue’s first trip to Laos as the Vietnamese top legislator and the first by a Vietnamese Party and State leader in the Year of Solidarity and Friendship. The visit contributes to enhancing the great friendship, special solidarity, and comprehensive cooperation between Vietnam and Laos and boosting comprehensive cooperation between the two National Assemblies. It demonstrates Vietnam’s giving top priority to its relationship with Laos in its foreign policy. It will contribute to strengthening mutual trust between the two countries and their leaders.”
High on the agenda of Mr. Hue’s trip will be discussions on politics, external relations, and cooperation in economics, culture, society, and national defense, according to Mr. Ha.
Mr. Ha said: “Chairman Hue will meet top leaders of Laos to discuss and deepen the special bilateral ties. He will also meet Vietnamese businesses in Laos and participate in activities to celebrate the 60th anniversary of bilateral ties and the 45th anniversary of the Laos-Vietnam Treaty of Friendship and Cooperation and the inauguration ceremony of the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Park in Vientiane. The two legislatures will organize a seminar to share experience in overcoming pandemic difficulties and recovering and developing their economies.”
The Vietnam-Lao parliamentary cooperation is time-honored. NA Chairman Hue’s visit will further bolster bilateral ties for mutual development in the near future.