Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc has stressed the need for the Vietnamese and Lao Parties to enhance cooperation, exchange information and share experience in Party inspection, and strengthen the corruption fight.

PM Nguyen Xuan Phuc receives Lao Deputy PM Bounthong Chitmany in Hanoi on August 23

At a meeting in Hanoi on August 23 with Lao Deputy Prime Minister Bounthong Chitmany, who is also Chairman of the Lao People’s Revolutionary Party Central Committee’s Inspection Commission and General Inspector, the PM lauded the cooperation between the two Parties’ inspection committees.

He said the two parties and governments attached great importance to Party reorganisation and the fight against corruption.

Vietnam and Laos should continue to coordinate in organising anniversary activities until the end of the year so that the Vietnam-Laos Friendship Year 2017 profoundly impacts the people of the two countries, especially young generations.

He thanked the Party, State, Government and people of Laos for supporting the Vietnamese community in Laos and expressed his hope that Lao leaders will continue to create favourable conditions for Vietnamese enterprises to do business in Laos.

For his part, Bounthong Chitmany said the purpose of his visit to Hanoi was to share experience with the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee’s Commission for Inspection and Government Inspectorate in the fight against corruption.

Vietnam, Laos step up religious cooperation

The Government Committee for Religious Affairs (GCRA) and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) will increase delegation exchanges and cooperation in training officials in charge of religious work while supporting the two countries’ Buddhist Sanghas in conducting their activities.

The two sides reached the agreement during talks between Bui Thanh Ha, deputy head of the GCRA, and visiting LFNC Vice Chairman Chanthavong Sene Amatmontry in Hanoi on August 23.

They exchanged views on religious situation and shared experience in State management on religion as well as reviewed the implementation of their cooperation agreement signed in Hanoi in July 2014.

Both sides agreed that delegation exchanges and experience sharing in religious work have helped promote Buddhism cooperation between Vietnam and Laos.

The fruitful collaboration between the agencies has contributed to strengthening the traditional friendship and comprehensive cooperation between the two countries and the relations between the two Buddhist Sanghas in particular.

Briefing his guest about the current religious situation in Vietnam, Ha highlighted that religions, especially Buddhism, are developing rapidly in Vietnam. The National Assembly has passed the Law on Belief and Religion, creating favourable conditions for religious activities and meeting people’s demand for religious and belief practices.

He added his committee is building a decree guiding the implementation of the law, which will take effect on January 1, 2018.

For his part, the Lao guest said that the Lao Front for National Construction will organise a line-up of religious events in the coming time, including the Lao-Vietnam-Cambodia Buddhism conference, a conference on religious activities of six Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) countries and a religious festival with the participation of ASEAN member states.

Laos expects to receive support from Vietnam to successfully host these events, he noted.

Vietnamese, Lao army logistics departments boost ties

Deputy Defence Minister Sen. Lieut. Gen Tran Don 

The officers agreed that under the direction of the defence ministries, the general logistics departments have effectively partnered in ensuring military supplies and equipment for Lao military trainees and officials during their long-term training in Vietnam. 

Phommakone informed the host about the outcomes of his talks with the General Logistics Department of the Vietnam People’s Army, during which both sides have agreed to work closely together in long-term training for Lao side. 

As scheduled, the guest will visit and exchange professional experience with several relevant units.

HCM City, Lao province boost cooperation

Ho Chi Minh City authorities, on August 23, received a delegation from Laos’ Xiengkhuang province, led by Standing Vice Secretary of the provincial Party Committee Outhane Masisonxay.

Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam (R), Vice Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council, presents a gift to Outhane Masisonxay, Standing Vice Secretary of Xiengkhuang  Party Committee

At the meeting, Nguyen Thi Quyet Tam, Vice Secretary of the HCM City Party Committee and Chairwoman of the municipal People’s Council, said the southern economic hub and the Lao province have exchanged multiple delegations in recent time.

She spoke highly of outcomes of a meeting between the Lao delegation and the municipal Department of Culture and Sports and expressed her wish for more bilateral experience exchanges to come.

For her part, Outhane Masisonxay stated Xiengkhuang values HCM City’s support in developing agriculture, building the provincial library, and celebrating the 55th founding anniversary of Vietnam – Laos relations.

Host and guest discussed Party building activities and human resources work and shared experiences in agricultural development in their respective localities.

Government supports Vietnam-Laos religious cooperation: Deputy PM

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh (R) receives LFNC Vice Chairman Chanthavong Sene Amatmontry

Deputy Prime Minister Truong Hoa Binh has affirmed that the Vietnamese Government supports its Committee for Religious Affairs and the Lao Front for National Construction (LFNC) to enhance cooperation in religious affairs.

Binh made the statement at his reception in Hanoi on August 23 for LFNC Vice Chairman Chanthavong Sene Amatmontry.

He said he is delighted at the development of bilateral relations in all fields, with religion receiving special attention from both Governments.

The two agencies should maintain training activities in religious work, step up the exchange of high-level delegations, organise conferences to share experience in religious work between provinces along the border, and facilitate collaboration between the Buddhist Sanghas of Vietnam and Laos.

The Deputy PM also requested the LFNC to create favourable conditions for the Vietnamese community in Laos to assimilate to the religious practices in the country.

Chanthavong Sene Amatmontry informed the host of the outcomes of talks between the Lao Front for National Construction and the Vietnamese Government Committee for Religious Affairs.

At the talks, the two sides agreed to maintain delegation exchanges, intensify the training of officials in charge of religious affairs, act as bridges boosting cooperation between the two Buddhist Sanghas, and build a cooperation plan for 2018-2020, he added.

He also expressed his hope that Vietnam will help Laos hold a Buddhist conference between Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, and another conference on religious work of six Mekong Sub-region countries.

VNA