The consensus was reached during their talks in Ho Chi Minh City on December 25.

Ha Ngoc Chien, head of the Vietnamese council, described the visit by the Lao delegation as a demonstration of the close cooperation between the two legislatures, thus contributing to promoting the Vietnam-Laos friendship and special solidarity.

The official briefed his guests on Vietnam’s socio-economic development, as well as the operation of the Vietnamese legislative body and the Council for Ethnic Affairs, stressing the Vietnamese Party, State and NA have always paid due attention to ethnic affairs, considering this the task of the entire political system.

Buaphan Leekaiya, head of the Lao committee, praised the outcomes of the cooperation between the two sides, and suggested signing more agreements regarding ethnic affairs.

The two sides reviewed their collaboration over the past time that focused on exchanging delegations, enhancing mutual understanding, and sharing experience and information.

They looked into a draft cooperation agreement between the two agencies, which is expected to be signed in the time ahead.

Hosts and guests also talked about coordination in building and assessing the implementation of NA resolutions on socio-economic development and poverty reduction in ethnic minority-inhabited and mountainous areas, and other issues like resident rearrangement and urbanisation in these areas.

Vietnam-Laos special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation hailed

The Vietnamese people will continue joining hands with the Lao people to strengthen and nurture their special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation, said President of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organisations (VUFO) Nguyen Phuong Nga.

Nga made the statement in a meeting with Lao Party General Secretary and President Bounnhang Vorachith while she was leading a Vietnamese delegation to attend events marking the 70th anniversary of the traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos (October 30) in Vientiane on December 25.

The Lao leader welcomed the visit of Vietnamese veterans and experts who used to serve in Laos, saying it plays a role in further deepening the bilateral ties. The Vietnam – Laos relations are special and unique that no words can say enough of, he said.

He spoke highly what the Vietnamese veterans and experts have contributed to Laos’ struggle for national independence and construction. He also expected the two countries’ younger generations will continue their predecessors’ tradition and further promote the two nations’ special solidarity and comprehensive cooperation.

Nga, for her part, thanked the Lao Party, State and Ministry of National Defence for hosting the events marking the 70th traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts in Laos, where the two sides recall their glorious history.

She also expressed a deep gratitude to the Lao side for always standing side by side with Vietnam, enabling Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts to accomplish their missions and supporting Vietnamese people in their past struggle for national independence and the current cause of national development and safeguarding.

The Vietnamese delegation later visited Kaysone Phomvihane Museum and Monument of President Suphanouvong in Vientaine.

The delegation is scheduled to attend a meeting to mark the 70th traditional day of Vietnamese volunteer soldiers and experts on December 26 morning./.VNA