Wednesday, March 11, 2009

Laos promises backing for Viet Nam’s ASEAN role

VIENTIANE — Laos has pledged to co-operation with Viet Nam to help it fulfil its tasks as the president of the ASEAN Inter-Parliamentary Assembly and its hosting of the assembly conference next year.

Laos assembly chairman Thongsinh Thammavong made the commitment during a reception for a Vietnamese National Assembly delegation in Vientiane yesterday, saying that the visit represented the Vietnamese assembly’s determination to fully implementing co-operative agreements previously signed between the two countries’ assembly chairmen.

The head of the Vietnamese delegation, NA Vice Chairwoman Tong Thi Phong congratulated the Laotians on their socio-economic achievements, particularly in the context of the global recession, posting a GDP growth rate of 7.9 per cent last year.

Last year was also notable for Laos’s success in hosting several international conferences, including the 17th Asia-Pacific Parliamentary Forum, she said.

Also yesterday, the Vietnamese delegation met with Lao National Assembly Vice Chairman Pany Zathotou.

During discussions, the two sides pledged to implement a co-operative agreement, previously signed by the two countries’ national assembly chairmen, as well as increasing the frequency of high-ranking visits and intensifying the exchange of information regarding the legislative bodies’ operations.

They agreed to provide personnel training for the Lao national assembly agencies and complete all necessary preparations for the construction of a Lao national assembly building, to be funded by Viet Nam, later this year.

The two sides pledged to support bilateral co-operative commitments and create favourable conditions for the two countries to achieve US$1 billion in two-way trade next year.

Viet Nam plans to make a thorough examination of its investment projects in Laos, to draw up more suitable policies to govern them and, look to increase its investment in the country.

The two sides confirmed that they would continue to demonstrate their close co-operation at regional and international forums. — VNS

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