Hanoi (VNA) – Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phucexpressed his delight at the vigorous growth of the Vietnamese and Laoparliaments’ cooperation while meeting with Lao National Assembly ChairwomanPany Yathotou in Hanoi on March 6.

The PM applauded the two legislative bodies fortheir active information and experience exchange and good coordination inexternal activities, especially at regional and international parliamentary forumssuch as the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and the Inter-ParliamentaryUnion.

He asked the two parliaments to increasesupervision of and create optimal conditions for the countries’ investmentcooperation projects, including Vietnamese investments in Laos.

PM Phuc said Vietnam always gives wholeheartedsupport to the reform process and national defence and development in Laos.

Highlighting that Vietnam treasures the specialsolidarity with Laos, he noted the two countries have held regular delegationexchanges and worked together to tackle any problems arising in bilateralrelations, resulting in positive outcomes of their cooperation over the recentpast.

The Government leader suggested the two sidesshould continue enhancing relations across the fields while bolsteringeconomic, trade and investment partnership to raise bilateral trade value by 10percent in 2017.

He urged close coordination to seek solutions toproblems in the implementation of joint projects, including the construction ona Hanoi-Vientiane expressway, upgrades to roads linking with the East-WestEconomic Corridor and other regional countries, and a potassium salt project inLaos’s Khammouane province. The two sides should also work more closely tocarry out the two governments’ agreement on developing hydro-power projects inLaos and electricity trading by 2030, the Vietnamese leader said.

He also asked the parliaments to push relevantagencies in carrying out plans on activities marking the 55th foundinganniversary of diplomatic ties, along with stepping up education about the twocountries’ special solidarity to younger generations.

PM Phuc hopes that both sides will maintainmutual support at international and regional forums and mechanisms. They shouldalso work to help intensify the ASEAN Community’s cooperation and connectivityprocess, boost the unity and central role of ASEAN, and maintain the bloc’scommon voice in the region’s strategic issues, including the East Sea problem.

The Vietnamese Government and people will exertevery effort to continue fostering the two countries’ great relationship,special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, he added.

For her part, Chairwoman Pany Yathotou, who ison an official visit to Vietnam, spoke highly of the fruitful bilateral ties,particularly the outcomes of the recent meeting of the countries’inter-governmental committee.

She noted with satisfaction that the two sidesagreed to further solidify cooperation in politics, economy, trade, investment,security, education, and many other spheres. She hoped that the twogovernments’ close cooperation will create an important momentum for tradeexpansion in the time ahead.

The Lao legislative leader informed her hostthat during her talks with her Vietnamese counterpart Nguyen Thi Kim Ngan, bothsides agreed to strengthen collaboration between the two parliaments andpeoples, maintain mutual support in regional and international arenas. Theywere also unanimous in speeding up cooperation programmes and projects for thesake of their own interests, as well as peace and prosperity in the region andthe world, Yathotou said.

Laos is amending its legal system so as tofacilitate business and investment activities, including those of Vietnameseenterprises, she noted.

Yathotou also affirmed that leaders and peopleof her country will also work to promote special relations between the twoParties, States and peoples.-VNA