Hanoi (VNA) – National Assembly (NA) Chairman VuongDinh Hue held phone talks with his Lao counterpart Saysomphone Phomvihane onApril 2, just several days after Hue took office as the new NA leader.

The Lao legislative leader congratulated Hue on his election as the newChairman of the NA of Vietnam, expressing his belief that under his leadership, the Vietnamese NA will continue to gain greater success, contributing to raising theposition of the Vietnamese NA in the regional and international forums andfostering the ties between Vietnam and Laos.

NA Chairman Hue congratulated Laos on the successful organization of important events of thecountry, including the general election and completion of the State apparatus.

He affirmed that Vietnam always attaches great important and gives top priorityto the promotion of the special ties with Laos, considering it as a strategicissue of vital significance to both country. Vietnam strongly andcomprehensively supports Lao leaders and people during the neighbouringcountry's national construction, he said.

The NA leader said that despite impacts ofCOVID-19 pandemic, the two sides have still maintained high-level meetings anddiscussions as well as important cooperation mechanisms. Two-way trade has continuously increased to over 4 billion USD,he noted, adding that bilateral security, defence, education-training andtransport cooperation has been promoted.

Hue expressed his delight that the Lao NA Building project, agift from Vietnam, has been implemented on schedule to serve as the venue for the first meeting of theLao NA in the new tenure.

He proposed that the two side focus on supervising the implementation of agrementsreached between the two countries at the 43rd Inter-GovernmentalCommittee Meeting.

He suggested that the Lao NA continue to maintain high-level meetingsand visits as well as cooperation mechanisms with Vietnam, noting that he hopes to welcomeSaysomphone Phomvihane in Vietnam soon.

The two NAs should share experience with each other, especially in building institutions and the legal system as well as supervision over law enforcementactivities, while continue working closely in supervising joint investmentprojects, he said.

He went on to say that agencies of both sides should collaborate effectivelyin organizing activities to mark the 60th anniversary ofVietnam-Laos diplomatic relations and the 45th anniversary of theFriendship and Amity Treaty between the two countries in 2022, thus educatingyoungsters of both sides on the special traditional ties between the two countries.

He agreed with Hue on the future cooperation orientations between the two NAs,adding that the two sides should continue working closely at internationalforums.

The two NA leaders accepted each other's invitations to visit their respective countries andpromised to arrange the visits as soon as possible./.