Leaders meet Lao Deputy PM and delegation in capital

President Truong Tan Sang greeted Lao Deputy Prime Minister Somsavad Lengsavath and the Lao government's delegation yesterday in Ha Noi.

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The Lao Deputy PM, who is also chairman of the Laos-Viet Nam Co-operation Sub-Committee, expressed appreciation for the President's hospitality and summarised the results of the 37th meeting of the Viet Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee.

The two leaders recalled significant milestones in the long-standing traditional friendship between Viet Nam and Laos and gave remarks on the nations' socio-economic development, as well as national defence and security issues.


Somsavad Lengsavath said the meeting would provide a basis to reflect on past achievements and develop more comprehensive co-operation, taking the ties between Viet Nam and Laos to the next level.

The Lao Deputy PM expressed optimism about Laos' socio-economic development gains as the nation's GDP growth stood at 7.8 per cent, significantly improving living standards.

He said the nations' relationship had also taken positive steps in 2014 as bilateral trade totalled $US1.4 billion, a 34 per cent increase from the previous year.

President Sang stressed the importance of continuing to nurture the long-standing traditional friendship and comprehensive co-operation between Viet Nam and Laos. He said agencies from both sides must step up efforts to remove trade barriers and complications while supporting each other to establish mechanisms and policies to enhance economic ties, commerce and investment activities between the nations.

The President added that co-operative projects in the field of education and training should also be improved, as human resources would play an important role in national development.

Party General Secretary Nguyen Phu Trong welcomed the Lao Deputy PM and delegation on the same day.
The Lao Deputy PM briefed the Vietnamese Party leader on the results of the meeting, affirming that the Lao government and people were committed to fostering the friendship between Laos and Viet Nam.

The two governments agreed to collaborate on the implementation of treaties and agreements signed by their leaders as well as meeting agendas.

Party leader Trong praised the co-operation between Lao and Vietnamese ministries and agencies during the implementation of agreements approved by high-ranking officials from both sides last year, as well as the previous Viet Nam-Laos Inter-Governmental Committee agendas.

Both sides vowed to continue to work together to establish mechanisms and policies that were mutually beneficial and suitable for both nations' objectives.