Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Tri Dung (L) and Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith 

During separate meetings with Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Volachith and Deputy Prime Minister Sonsay Siphandone in Vientiane on December 21, the minister asked the hosts to instruct Lao agencies to work closely with Vietnamese counterparts to prepare for the 39th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee. 

He also sought their support for changes in policies and laws to boost bilateral trade and investment. 

The Lao side thanked Vietnam for offering invaluable support to Laos during its struggle for national independence in the past and the current national construction cause, particularly in completing the role of ASEAN Chair in 2016.  

They asked the two planning and investment ministries to accelerate the progress of delayed projects and make detailed reports on environment impacts of Vietnam-invested projects to ensure sustainable development. 

The hosts gave the green light for the continued implementation of a memorandum of understanding on developing hydropower projects and electricity purchase between the two nations. 

Earlier the same day, Minister Dung held talks with his Lao counterpart Suphan Keomisay, during which, they discussed measures to successfully realise high-level agreements between the two nations as well as preparations for the 39th meeting of the Inter-Governmental Committee. 

The two ministries also hailed the positive outcomes of the implementation of cooperation agreements between the two ministries for 2014-2016. 

From December 21-22, Minister Dung is due to pay courtesy visits to former Lao PM Thongsing Thammavong, former Deputy PM Somsavat Lengsavat, the Vietnamese embassy in Laos and several cultural establishments in Vientiane.

VNA