The Parties, Governments, National Assemblies and peoples of Vietnam and Laos always treasure and give the highest priority to consolidating the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive coordination between the two countries. The statement was made by Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung, Lao Party General Secretary and State President Chummaly Sayasone and National Assembly Chairman Pany Yathotu during their meetings in Vientiane on September 14. Hailing the intensive and pragmatic cooperation in all areas between the two countries, both host and guest stressed the more trustworthy and closer political ties as evidenced by the exchange of visits at all levels and under various forms, as well as mutual support in hosting international and regional inter-parliamentary events, including the 132 nd Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union. Vietnam remains one of Laos’ largest investors, the leaders said, noting the two countries have signed a new trade agreement and a border trade agreement. Apart from the effective implementation of joint projects, progress has been made in collaboration in culture, education-training, science-technology, transport and agriculture, they said. Both consented to maintain high-level visit exchanges between the two Parties, Governments and National Assemblies while increasing experience sharing in theoretical work. Vietnam and Laos are striving to boost bilateral trade towards 2 billion USD this year, the leaders confirmed. They will also join hands to fruitfully implement the Memorandum of Understanding on cooperative strategy in transport for 2016-2025 signed during PM Dung’s ongoing Laos visit. Along with energy, the two countries will enhance affiliations in other fields, such as information, culture, sports, science-technology, healthcare, education and human resource development. The leaders agreed to uphold the inspection role played by the two legislative bodies over Vietnamese-invested projects in Laos in tandem with reviewing mechanisms, laws and policies to facilitate investment and trade ties and support Vietnamese in the neighbouring country. Discussing a number of international and regional issues of mutual concern, they were unanimous to tighten coordination within the framework of ASEAN to maintain the group’s stance and voice in major strategic mattes in the region, including the East Sea issue. PM Dung reiterated Vietnam’s willingness to help Laos successfully assume the ASEAN Chair in 2016. The Lao side said PM Dung’s visit is of special significance as it contributes to forging and cultivating the traditional friendship, special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries, especially their economic links as marked by the commencement of the kali salt mining project, the largest project invested by Vietnam in the country. While staying in Laos, the Vietnamese leader also met with former Party Chief and former State President Khamtay Siphandone, former Prime Minister and former President of the Lao Front for National Construction Sisavat Keobounphan and former NA Chairman and former head of the Steering Committee for Ideology, Theory and Culture Saman Vinhaket.-VNA